Starting out with fitness can feel a little overwhelming.
Do we run? And if so how far? How often?
Do we lift weights? What rep schemes should we be hitting? Am i moving right? Should i stick to machines?
What should my nutrition look like?
It’s a lot. It can feel like standing at the bottom of a mountain, knowing you’ve got a climb ahead but not quite sure where to begin. Maybe you’ve got goals in mind – to feel stronger, have more energy, improve your mental health or just feel better in your own skin – or maybe you don’t (and that’s OK too) but taking those first steps can seem daunting.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Building your health is a lot like stacking blocks. The key is to start with the basics, one piece at a time, until you’ve built something solid.
In reality your journey starts with the decision to change. A choice to commit to you.
That’s it, just a thought.
It then transitions with the little habits you do every day – getting a good night’s sleep, eating food that fuels you, and moving in ways that feel good (and most importantly sustainable). These are the building blocks that create a strong, sustainable foundation for your health and fitness.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1 – Sleep: The Foundation You Can’t Ignore
Imagine trying to build a house on sand – it doesn’t matter how fancy the walls or roof are, without a solid foundation, the whole thing collapses. Sleep is your foundation. It’s the one thing that everything else – your energy, mood, workouts, and even your appetite… rests on. (no apologies for that pun).
Here’s a story: one of our members last week came in after a week of terrible sleep. They felt sluggish, their lifts were off, and they couldn’t figure out why they were craving junk food nonstop. The culprit? Sleep deprivation. When you’re not sleeping enough, your body struggles to recover, your decision-making weakens, and even your metabolism takes a hit.
Think about it: would you ever try running your car on an empty tank? Of course not. But skipping sleep is like doing exactly that.
Your Move:
Commit to a bedtime this week. Maybe you shut down Netflix 30 minutes earlier or swap your phone for a good book (Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker is a game-changer). Trust us those extra Z’s will transform how you feel.
Step 2 – Nutrition: Fuel Your Engine
Imagine you’ve got a Ferrari in your garage. Would you fill it with the cheapest petrol you can find? No way! You’d use the premium stuff to keep it running smoothly. Your body is no different. What you eat is your fuel, and the better the quality, the better you’ll feel and perform.
It’s expensive I hear you angrily snap back! Read a blog I wrote a couple weeks back HERE and I’ll break that myth for you.
Nutrition doesn’t have to be about kale, smoothies and chicken breasts for every meal. It’s about balance. We quite often hear in our nutrition consults the words “Does eating healthy mean i have to give up my favourite foods?”. Absolutely not. When you start focusing on adding more whole foods like colourful veggies, quality protein, and healthy fats – you’ll realise it isn’t about restriction. It was about feeling good and staying consistent.
Start small. Maybe you swap your sugary cereal for a bowl of oats or pack a homemade lunch instead of hitting the drive-thru. Little changes lead to big results.
Your Move:
Try prepping one meal a day this week. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just something simple and nourishing. Need inspiration? Atomic Habits by James Clear has some brilliant tips for making good habits stick.
Step 3 – Fitness: Movement That Feels Good
Here’s where it gets fun – movement. Fitness isn’t about punishing your body – it’s about celebrating what it can do. Whether you’re hitting a CrossFit WOD, chasing your kids at the park, or walking your dog around the neighbourhood, every bit of movement counts.
“I’m not fit enough to do CrossFit.” We hear it alllll the time from new clients. They’ll walk into their first class nervous but leave with the biggest smile, realising it’s not about being perfect – it’s about showing up. Fitness is a journey, and you don’t have to start as the strongest or fastest person in the room. You just have to start.
Your Move:
Set a micro-goal this week. Maybe it’s attending two classes, going for a daily walk, or trying that movement you’ve been avoiding (looking at you, box jumps).
Oh and celebrate every win, no matter how small!
Bringing It All Together
Here’s what no one tells you: health isn’t about massive overhauls or waiting for the “right time.” It’s about the small, consistent actions you take every day. When you prioritise sleep, fuel your body with good food, and move in ways that feel good, you create a ripple effect.
Each step builds on the one before it.
Sleep better, and you’ll have more energy to work out.
Eat better, and you’ll recover faster.
Move more, and you’ll sleep deeper.
It’s a cycle that keeps improving.
Why Now?
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s tempting to wait until January to start. But here’s the thing: there’s never a perfect time. Why not start now? Seriously why? Ask yourself this question? Take one step this week – whether it’s hitting the gym, prepping a meal, or just getting to bed earlier.
By the time the New Year rolls around, you’ll already have momentum on your side.
Want to chat more about where to start? We’d love to help you map out a plan that works for you. Click here to book a chat with us, and let’s make those first steps happen.
You’ve got this!!! See you at Innerbloom CrossFit!
