5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting A Healthier Lifestyle

by hannahandfitness

When I decided to start working out and eating healthier I kinda wish I knew a lot more. I admit, I went into the game a bit blind and only with the intention of ‘looking better’ and ‘eating better’. I had no idea that this whole world would become my lifestyle and that there was sooooo much more to it.

Thinking back on it now, I wish I had my future self to tell me all these things that I would need to consider when starting a healthier lifestyle. So, i’m gonna help you guys out a little and point those things out that I think are important to consider when starting out.

You need to do your research

In my opinion the fitness community can have at times, a current fitness trend (a post i’ll write about very soon). At the moment were surrounded by the image of a ‘big booty’ however, when I joined the fitness community and began working out it was all about those abs and having a defined stomach. And yes, you guessed it… I went straight after the dream of having a defined core and abs. But with that came low carb diets, excess cardio, a fear of certain foods and me having no idea what I was doing. Why did I think low carb diets and tons of cardio would get me what I wanted? Because I believed everything I saw on social media.

However, it wasn’t until I started doing my research that I realised low carb diets, excess cardio and a restricted diet wasn’t the answer and in fact I was damaging my metabolism and my mental health. So, just because you’ve seen something on social media it does not mean it’s true. Do your research, make sure the information is legit and more importantly… don’t follow the ‘trend’!

Cardio isn’t everything

Like I said above, I dived deep into a pool of cardio because I instantly believed that cardio was the main answer to fat loss. I was probably doing 3/4 HIIT sessions and 2/3 LISS sessions a week (I had a lot of time on my hands, ok?). I was totally overdoing cardio when I didn’t need to. Then (thank the heavens) I found out about weight lifting and how in fact, it’s probably one of the best methods to help lose body fat and also tone up your body. And no ladies, it won’t make you bulky! Which brings me onto my next point…

Weights won’t make you manly

I’ll be the first to admit, I totally believed that weights would make me manly. In fact, I don’t even think I considered lifting weights at the beginning of my fitness journey. I was all about the cardio and sweat. Ugh. However, when I saw fellow Instagrammers trying out weight lifting and posting it to their accounts I decided to look more into it. And guys, it’s the best damn decision i’ve made.

I really hate the assumption that weights will make you manly – they won’t. It takes a lot of weight, a lot of time and a lot of effort to pack on muscle and in fact, it take’s women a lot more effort to grow muscle then it does men. Simply because we have less testosterone. Men have 20x more testosterone than women on average making it 20x less easier to grow muscle.

I’ve been lifting weights for almost two years now and I don’t look bulky in the slightest. Perhaps only when I flex – but guys, I don’t walk around flexing 24/7, do I? So, quit with the excuse that weights make you bulky and pick up a dumbbell if you’re really looking for a toned body.

Fitness has it’s ‘trends’, so do what YOU want to do

I picked upon this a little earlier and I would love to do a whole post on it. But for now i’ll keep it short.

I think to some degree the fitness community is focusing on a little too much of what you ‘want’ rather than what you have and i’ve definitely been a culprit of this. At the beginning of the year I went for the trend of having abs and a defined core until later last year I decided to follow the trend again and grow muscle for a bigger butt.

Now, when I think about it, it really was what I wanted (which is good). However, I think a lot of people go after what everybody else is doing. At times, cardio has been shunned because ‘weight training’ has taken over and i’ve even been involved in conversations about this and how it’s affected people who genuinely love cardio and feel like they shouldn’t because it’s not the current ‘trend’. Anyway, what I’m trying to say (keep it short, Hannah) is do what you love. Whether that be swimming, running, boxing, weight training, spinning… Whatever it is, just make sure you do it and don’t end up doing something that’s the trend and find yourself no longer enjoying this lifestyle.

People will judge you

Now, this is probably the hardest aspect of the journey that i’ve had to deal with. I really didn’t realise how many people judged you for eating a salad in the office or saying no to a slice of cake. It still amazes me (actually) how it can offend people when you don’t eat unhealthy – as if eating healthy should be sinned at times?

I’ve found that eating a McDonald’s is more acceptable than it is eating a healthy meal. Although, I really do think this depends on who you are friends with and who you spend your time with – i’m not saying this will happen to everybody!

My advice to dealing with the judgment: Explain why you’re eating healthier. Explain that  you love it, you’re looking to lose some weight or whatever. If they still don’t accept that then perhaps it’s time to question who you really want to spend your time with. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel any less than you are.

So there we have it. If I could have told myself this 3 years ago then that would have been fab. But hey ho, you live and you learn, ay? 

Hannahandfitness,

x

 

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30 comments

Lola Bellouere January 22, 2017 - 6:42 pm

Really love this article.It upsets me that trends affect people and stop them doing what they really love! Great post

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hannahandfitness January 23, 2017 - 1:48 pm

Thank you! I definitely agree with you!

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Manny January 23, 2017 - 7:49 pm

I love this post! Can’t wait for your fitness trend post though… it will be interesting to see what you’ve observed. I only started my fitness journey in August so right when the whole big booty trend started but abs for days is something I’d love to have haha 🙂

I love weight training, gona do much more of it this year but also love my yoga and pilates and boxing (so much!) so duno where I’ll find the time with two kids and back to work part-time in a couple of months haha xx

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hannahandfitness January 24, 2017 - 9:55 am

Ah I’m writing it up in the next few days 🙂 Hopefully a lot of people will be able to relate! You’ll find the time dw, and if not find something that works for you – even if it’s once a week 🙂 x

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Manny January 24, 2017 - 10:01 am

Yay! Looking forward to it.

Yes you’re right, I’ll find time. I’ll try to be smarter with planning my workout days. Work is only 2 days a week so not too bad hehe 🙂

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healthystrawberryblog January 24, 2017 - 8:19 am

Loved reading this! I found the same struggles when I started getting into fitness. It’s all about doing your research and doing what YOU love!??

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hannahandfitness January 24, 2017 - 9:55 am

Thank you lovely! Most definitely x

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Binging on Beetroot January 28, 2017 - 3:24 pm

All of these things are things I wish I knew before beginning with my health and fitness journey! The judging is my least favourite part of it all. It’s such a weird concept to get judged for wanting to eat differently from someone else. I like your idea of explaining why you’re eating it! I feel like people think it’s all for show which, of course, it isn’t- what would be the point?! ~ Kat ~

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hannahandfitness January 28, 2017 - 3:42 pm

Just remember you are not alone! It’s a shame that people just can’t leave you be but unfortunately it happens! Just stand up for yourself 🙂 thanks for reading! x

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Do You Follow A Fitness Trend For All The Right Reasons? January 29, 2017 - 5:30 pm

[…] wasn’t until I was writing a recent post, ‘5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting A Healthier Lifestyle‘ that I came to realise that throughout my fitness journey I’ve been a victim to […]

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Helen August 9, 2017 - 9:20 am

That’s the wonderful thing about life – you learn from your experiences and use that knowledge going forward 🙂

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Kate Sinclair August 9, 2017 - 10:33 am

Great post for anyone thinking of starting on a regime, unfortunately due to disability my goals are a little different but I must make more of an effort with healthier eating!!

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Sophie's Nursery August 9, 2017 - 10:50 am

I too used to believe everything on social media & thought it was all about cardio – turns out I found weights much more fun & help with tone. x

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Dean of Little Steps August 9, 2017 - 12:57 pm

I would love to start a healthier lifestyle too. Hopefully soon. I agree with what you said “fitness has its trends” and about doing more research about what you want to do 🙂

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Abi August 9, 2017 - 1:51 pm

Love this! I’m a bit of a gym newbie so I can relate to finding the trends affecting your workouts. Really enjoyed reading this 🙂

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Mummy Times Two August 9, 2017 - 4:58 pm

Really interesting. I’m thinking about working on my own fitness in the near future do will definitely bear this in mind.

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Clare August 9, 2017 - 7:23 pm

I haven’t got the faintest idea about the best ways to exercise, I really need to work on this!

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Laura - Dear Bear and Beany August 9, 2017 - 8:19 pm

I would never think to research it first. I would just crack on! Its been on my to do list to get back into fitness since I had my younger daughter, Really need to do it!

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Kira August 9, 2017 - 9:56 pm

Love this post! Just had a baby , 5 weeks old, so looking to get back into fitness very soon 🙂

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Ana August 10, 2017 - 10:46 am

Social media can be so dangerous as it can often paint an unrealistic picture and like you said some people do what other people tell them to do which is never good. I agree that you should do your research and I am glad you did what was best for you x

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Nazrin August 10, 2017 - 11:34 am

This is such an inspriational post especially for me since I am so unfit! i have made 101 excuses for myself and I think its about time I start putting my arse in gear!

http://www.nmdiaries.com

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Karen August 10, 2017 - 3:35 pm

I would never think to research this first and i don’t think most people would. You just think you want a healthier lifestyle so you just start eating healthier and doing exercise

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Deborah Nicholas August 10, 2017 - 6:56 pm

Love this as im at the beginning of my journey so great to read tips you have picked up along the way too!

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Laura August 11, 2017 - 9:23 am

These are really interesting points! I think doing your research and following what works for you rather than trends is so important! Really good perspective

Laura x

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Baby Isabella August 11, 2017 - 10:13 am

Trends can be responsible for knocking people off track in all walks of life. Totally agree that you should do what’s right for you x

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Lucy August 11, 2017 - 8:13 pm

I agree on the judging, people can take it so ppersonally, it’s not very supportive!

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Grant R August 11, 2017 - 9:31 pm

This is useful. I’ve had a few (failed) attempts at getting into shape. I’ll bookmark this as I’m about to try again. Wish me luck!

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Newcastle Family Life August 12, 2017 - 2:06 pm

These are great and super useful tips, I am about to start on a fitness mission in September so I found this really interesting x

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Michelle August 13, 2017 - 11:16 am

I always think you’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. when it comes to health and fitness, it’s a personal journey, and we should do what is right for us, and our bodies. It’s not a one size fits all thing by any means. You won’t catch me near a gym, but man do I love to swim!

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Cardiff Mummy Says - Cathryn August 21, 2017 - 11:14 pm

You are so right about people judging you for eating healthily. I am a yoga teacher and a vegetarian (of more than 25 years… makes me feel so old!) who eats a diet full of fruit, veg, lentils, pulses etc. I do have my moments where I love a good pizza or whatever, but you wouldn’t believe how often I get judged or hear all those sarcastic comments. I didn’t drink for several years and got so fed up of defending myself. It’s no one’s business really, is it?!

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