Last winter, I took a beginner snow boarding course and it changed my outlook on fitness forever. Ok, I will admit. Fitness, if navigating on your own, can sometimes become overwhelming. I have been doing it for years and I see a new trend on social media every other week. From the 12-3-30 treadmill workout to the 3-2-8 method, everyone shares everything that has worked best for them. But should you be doing the workout that claims to show you the optimal result or the one that promises you a toned body?

A little background: Caught up in all the social media hype (and I know I’m not the only one), I hopped on the weight training train, doing workouts that claimed to make you strong and “thick”. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve managed to shape up and score many compliments (I mean, a lot!). But here’s the kicker: despite looking fit, I never quite felt the strength I was chasing.

Last year, I decided to try something fun: a ten day beginner snowboarding course (loveedd it btw!). Little did I know it would change my perspective and approach towards fitness forever. Turns out, snowboarding relies heavily on coordination, balance and core strength. And that made me realize that just having strength is not enough to achieving well-rounded fitness. While my stomach was flat and my booty was fat (amen lol), I learnt there is lot more to fitness than just weight training to gain strength. So, I explored. I came across multiple techniques, methods, challenges and various sports before I learnt about the top five health components of being physically fit.

I immediately knew that it was I truly what I wanted and what I was looking to achieve my entire life. Along the way, I uncovered three fundamental rules that completely transformed my approach to fitness (and life)!

Know your purpose of getting into fitness

So, what’s got you thinking about getting into fitness? Is it about dropping a few pounds, getting that Instagram-worthy body, or did a particular event or realization motivate you to pursue a fitter lifestyle? Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to understand your purpose and what you hope to achieve through your fitness journey.

When it comes to setting fitness goals, the options are endless. Take a moment to block out the distractions and consider what kind of “fit” you want to be. Whether you’re want to focus on improving your endurance, speed, balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, or simply sharpening your reflexes, the key is to find a well-rounded approach that suits your needs.

For me, it was about striving for proficiency in all areas. One game-changer on my fitness journey was understanding which skills were required for specific activities and finding effective ways to advance in mastering those skills. This brings me to my second point.

Explore available options to achieve your fitness goals

Let’s repeat together: It’s crucial to explore and experiment with different options to achieve your fitness goals! You may find workouts that resonate with you and others that don’t, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is to be aware of and exhaust all the available options to discover what you enjoy the most. Instead of chasing what’s considered “best” for you, focus on finding what brings you the most joy. Not only will this keep you engaged on your fitness journey, but it will also fuel your curiosity to explore further in the field.

After years of trial and error, I think this may be a way to discover your passions in a field.

Once you have identified what you like and are committed to it, the concept of “pushing through” starts to make sense. This is where consistency and determination come into play, regardless of any challenges you may face. Let’s be real, if you’re only doing a workout because you vaguely know it’s “healthy” to do so, you’ll likely feel lost and eventually hit a roadblock.

Finally, make fitness a lifestyle, not a chore

Just like you get up and grab that cup of Joe in autopilot mode, fitting your workouts into your daily routine won’t feel like a task once it becomes your way to live.

Incorporating a workout, you genuinely love into your daily routine is a surefire way to enhance various areas of your overall wellness. When you discover a workout that genuinely excites you, its positive impact extends beyond just physical fitness. It creates ripple effects on your mental well-being, nutrition, and overall lifestyle choices. Then, instead of feeling restricted, you’ll naturally gravitate towards enjoying all aspects of life, starting with minimizing (the most obvious) poor lifestyle choices and maximizing the good ones.

So, forget about the latest fitness trends on your “For You” page or the classes your friends swear by for toning because the best workout is the one that gets you genuinely excited to do it.