Getting into a new fitness routine isn’t the easiest of feats, especially if you’ve never really exercised constantly in the past. However, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. You can make changes and become whoever the heck you want to be, no matter your age or circumstance!

With that in mind, we’re going to give you 7 foolproof tips and tricks for getting into a new fitness routine. Take a look and you’ll probably begin to feel a lot less apprehensive and much more excited:

1. Know What Your Goals Are

You shouldn’t really start making changes to your lifestyle until you know exactly what it is you want to achieve. If you have health issues, speaking with your doctor or another qualified health professional first can help you to figure out what you need to do.

You should not feel under pressure to look a certain way because the Insta models that you follow all want that big bum tiny waist look. Having goals is great, but they should be achievable for you – you shouldn’t want to beat yourself up if you don’t reach them! After all, you can’t really control at what rate your bum grows at. Instead, see if you can make your own goals using the following as examples:

• Feel healthier and fitter in 6 months.
• Be the healthiest I have ever been by the end of the year.
• Do a full pull up/press up.
• Begin to feel confident in my own skin.
• Go to the gym/workout 3-4 times a week.

The above goals are things you can track and control, and they don’t put you under pressure to look a certain way. They are functional and  focus on your health and how you feel. How you feel should always be your number one priority, not the way you look!

2. Don’t Put Pressure On Yourself

Saying you want to feel healthier in 6 months is fine. After all, if you’re going to work out 3 times a week for that long then there’s no way you won’t feel healthier. However, saying you want to drop a certain amount of weight or body fat in that time can be detrimental. Now, it sort of depends on the type of person you are, but in general, giving yourself time sensitive goals will stress you out and can actually cause self sabotage. Plus, even if you do reach your time sensitive goal, you might feel lost once you have, no knowing where to go or what to do next.

Take the pressure off yourself.

3. Find A Type Of Exercise That You Really Enjoy

You must enjoy the type of exercise you do. Don’t slog it out on the treadmill if you don’t enjoy it. It’s bad for your mental health, and that goes hand in hand with your physical health! Try different classes and styles of working out and see what you can really get into.

4. Make Sure You Have the Right Gear To Get Started

The gear alone won’t get you started, but it can help you to stay safe and comfortable and feel more confident. Make sure you like the way your outfits fit you and that you won’t be putting yourself at risk. A good pair of Adidas Ultraboost will protect your feet during different workouts. Don’t wear clothing that is too baggy, as this can get caught in machinery.

5. Start Small And Build Yourself Up

You don’t have to go all in right away with 5 workouts a week. Be gentle. You want to make sustainable changes, so take your time. Start with three 30 minute sessions, and build yourself up if you want to later on. You don’t need to be in the gym multiple times a week for hours – that’s definitely not healthy unless you’re an athlete and you have the proper guidance.

6. Always Track Your Progress Constantly

Consistent progress tracking will keep you moving forward and help you to see progress. It’s crazy how we often can’t see the changes we’ve made, but when we look back at pictures our jaws fall to the floor! Take progress pictures every 2 weeks or month wearing the same clothes, same pose, same lighting. You’ll be glad you did.

7. Keep A Diary

A diary can help your mental health more than anything, and you’ll begin to understand yourself and what makes you tick. Perfect for changing old habits!