June 21st was the day I decided to start small. Prior to that day, I had always had it in mind to begin a workout routine. I would make these elaborate workout plans in my head and dream of a version of me that actually followed through on the plans.
Every new month, I would make the plan and then set my alarm clock for 5am the next day. Then the new day would break, and I would mindlessly and aggressively switch the alarm and postpone it to the day after that.
This has been the case for years. Deep within me, I knew what the problem was, but I wasn’t ready to address it. But on the 21st of June, I decided that enough was enough.
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The version of me right now was not able to perform those intense routines I had in my head; I just wasn’t there yet. So I finally succumbed to what my head had been telling me from the get-go; I started small.
On the evening of the 21st, I laid my ass on the hard, cold floor in my room and proceeded to do ten leg raises. It was nothing major but was definitely a first step in the right direction, as opposed to no step at all.
I didn’t trust myself because I hadn’t built up the discipline to show up every day yet. So I made a vow to myself to keep it simple and to not talk about it with anyone.
I figured that the moment I started to overcomplicate it by planning to buy equipment or introducing other people’s opinions, it would tamper with the momentum I was trying to build.
So I stayed on the course; I committed to doing ten leg raises every evening and to see where that would take me. A week in, I increased it to three reps of ten leg raises and made it mornings and evenings.
I won’t lie, life threatened to get in the way, and I missed a few days, but I always came back. As July rolled around, I decided to download an exercise app to get a more detailed and curated workout plan.
I aimed to get one that focused strictly on no equipment home workouts. I successfully got one and transitioned into using the app instead. The exercises aimed at utilizing the ground and the wall as anchors for the various poses, which was great.
For example, the pose—skipping with no rope—was an amazing cardio routine that required me to jump up and down, as though I were skipping except without a rope. In this case, I was able to bypass the need for a jump rope.
In some of the routines that required a weight of some kind, I would use a large keg of water to stand in for dumbbells. In that way, I didn’t need to stack my house with a dumbbell; it was a very functional substitute as well.
The only exercise equipment I have in my possession is a jump rope I purchased a couple of years back, when I was into it. As for now, I focus on exercises that require no equipment.
I do though understand that there are exercises that would warrant the use of specific equipment that cannot be substituted, so I would suggest you purchase them but try to keep them as minimal as possible and to consider patronizing a gym.
Thanks for reading!🤗
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Thank you so much🤗
It's impressive to see that you recorded the day and I'm pleased with your determination and progress.
Keep going at it, and enjoy each session without too much expectation:) Resistance training is my favourite way to exercise.
Thanks for your #KISS
I enjoyed it 😉
lips sealed
Thank you Ms. Milly🤗. I try my best to be consistent and to show up when I can.
I appreciate you reading my work🙂
Have a nice weekend!
Hey! I feel you. I also found it very hard to start at first, but if I'm not forced to start, when will good things really happen? Then, like you, I watched videos on YouTube about Workout from Home, and it worked until now. Now I'm also starting to run regularly. Love hearing your story..
I am just like the former you. Even if I'm not doing the workout for physical effects, I need it to train my mind. I do so many things impulsively and to stop that, I need to train my mind. Thinking about it now, tells me that I've only been giving myself excuses. My hostel girls will laugh at me, I don't have the equipments for a good workout routine.
All are excuses. Now, you might not know but you've just motivated me to start. Starting small and achieving my big goals
I'm glad I at least motivated you to start thinking in this direction! And this applies to every area of life too. We only procrastinate when the steps to take are not clear. If you simplify it down to actionable steps, it makes it easy to start
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This is very effective writing, @zitalove. You have a clear voice, and a direct manner. The description of your personal battle to overcome resistance is relatable and persuasive. You offer details as you describe your first tentative steps. Particularly interesting was your description of substituting regularly accessible household items for exercise-dedicated equipment.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. Good writing!
Wow! I definitely was not expecting this, what a pleasant surprise😊😊
Thank you so much for the expert and motivating feedback. This has for sure lifted up my spirits. It's funny to think that I was doubting myself after I wrote this, I didn't think it was a good work. Your feedback has made my day
Thank you Agmoore, and I appreciate the curation!
This is me here. I once procrastinated doing exercise especially for weight loss. I would wish to visit a gym but it's so expensive. I proceeded to get a waist trainer and a manual machine but after few weeks, I abandoned them. A year later which was when I moved to this town for my service, I decided to start again but this time, without any equipment; I would jump up and down, run around my apartment, do frog jump but it only lasted for like 10 days, then I stopped.
Most times, I do think I need an accountability partner to push me but I realise I would have to help myself in that regard.
Right now, reading your post has gingered me again. If Zita could do an exercise with no equipment, I should try something again and this time, to be more committed.
Frog jump ke?😂😂😂 When it's not punishment😅😅
Osheyyy💃💃💃 Let's gooo😅😅
I'm happy I've gingered you oo. Honestly, it's the moment we start thinking of buying waist trainer, or waking up early in the morning for a jog when deep down you know that's not sustainable, that's when we start to overcomplicate it and eventually end up quitting.
But if you keep it simple, and do the one you can do. Even though you start with one jump in the morning, that's better than no jump at all.
I wish you success dear!
Yes oo 😄😄😄 it hurts ooo but I just had to do something. My thighs ehn....hmm 🤣🤣
Exactly. Small step, big gains. We just need to start from small, then watch how it happens later.