I’m excited to share the beginning of my fitness journey with you all. It’s a fresh start, a new chapter, and I can’t wait to see where this road takes me. The decision to embark on this adventure wasn’t made lightly; it’s been a long time coming.
Like many, I’ve had my ups and downs when it comes to health and fitness. I’ve tried different diets, workout routines, and shortcuts, but nothing seemed to stick. It wasn’t until recently that I had a moment of clarity. I realised that lasting change doesn’t come from quick fixes or crash diets; it comes from a fundamental shift in lifestyle and mindset.
So, here I am, ready to make that shift. I’m committed to putting in the hard work, staying dedicated, and being patient with myself throughout this journey. I know there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but I’m determined to overcome them.
I believe that sharing my experiences, triumphs, and even setbacks with you all will not only hold me accountable but also inspire and motivate others who may be on a similar path. Together, we can learn, grow, and become the best versions of ourselves.
My Fitness Journey So Far
My relationship with fitness has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with highs, lows, and valuable lessons along the way. It all began when I was just 13 years old, stepping into a gym with my cousin. At that age, it was more about goofing around on the machines than anything else. However, that brief introduction proved to be valuable, as it acquainted me with the equipment in the gym, planting a seed that would eventually sprout into a more serious commitment.
It wasn’t until I reached the age of 17 that I hit my fitness stride. I found myself heading to the gym four times a week, eager to sculpt my physique. However, despite my dedication to lifting weights and improving my strength, I hadn’t yet fully grasped the importance of a clean and balanced diet. Consequently, I embarked on a dirty bulk, gaining considerable size but not necessarily in the healthiest way.
The pendulum swung the other way during my cutting cycle when I shed a significant amount of weight. During this time, I began to educate myself extensively on nutrition and fitness. I devoured courses and sought guidance from online fitness experts, determined to better understand the science behind it all.
This commitment to the gym continued into my first year of university. I juggled coursework and workouts, striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But as the semesters rolled on, I found myself gradually straying from the path. University life brought its own set of challenges, with late nights, socialising, and an occasional disregard for my health. It became more about drinks and parties than squats and deadlifts, and my body took the toll.
As I transitioned into my first job, the cycles of starting a new fitness program and then letting it slide became a recurring theme. Life seemed to have a knack for throwing curveballs my way, shifting my focus away from my fitness goals. Despite my best intentions, I found myself battling inconsistency and struggling to maintain the progress I had once achieved.
These experiences, while filled with ups and downs, have shaped the person I am today. They’ve taught me the importance of balance, the significance of nutrition, and the resilience needed to stay committed to a fitness journey. Now, as I embark on this new chapter in my fitness odyssey, I carry with me the wisdom gained from my past, ready to face the challenges ahead with renewed determination and a deeper understanding of what it takes to achieve my goals.
Starting From a Strong Foundation
Throughout my fitness journey, education has played a pivotal role in shaping my approach to health and well-being. I’ve not only embraced the wisdom of experienced fitness enthusiasts but also experimented with various strategies to discover what truly works for me.
Intermittent Fasting
One of the first concepts I delved into was intermittent fasting. It’s a dietary strategy that involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. I was intrigued by its potential benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity and fat loss. While intermittent fasting didn’t become a long-term lifestyle choice for me, it taught me valuable lessons about discipline and self-control when it came to managing my eating patterns.
Cutting & Bulking Cycles
Cutting and bulking cycles became another aspect of my fitness journey. These cycles involved alternating phases of calorie deficit (cutting) and calorie surplus (bulking) to achieve specific physique goals. I experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of both approaches. Cutting cycles taught me the importance of portion control and monitoring my caloric intake, while bulking cycles helped me understand how to strategically build muscle mass.
Keto Diet
In the realm of diets, I’ve explored a range of options to find the one that aligns best with my health goals and lifestyle. The ketogenic (keto) diet, which emphasises high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating, piqued my interest. I found that it helped me shed unwanted body fat and improve my mental clarity. However, sustaining this strict diet long-term proved challenging, and I eventually shifted to a more balanced approach.
Plant Based Diet
Another dietary path I ventured down was the plant-based diet. This lifestyle change, focused on whole plant foods and excluding animal products, opened my eyes to the world of compassionate eating. While I appreciated the health benefits and ethical considerations of this diet, I learned that it required careful planning to ensure I met all my nutritional needs.
In recent times, the world of plant-based eating has expanded significantly, offering an even broader array of delicious and nutritious options. The growing availability of plant-based protein sources, dairy alternatives, and meat substitutes has made it more convenient than ever to embrace a plant-based diet. Considering this exciting development, it’s something I may challenge myself to explore further in the future.
The increasing accessibility of plant-based alternatives not only caters to individuals seeking a more sustainable and ethical approach to nutrition but also offers a pathway to improved health. As I continue my fitness journey, I’ll keep an open mind about incorporating more plant-based meals into my diet, knowing that it can be a beneficial step toward a healthier and more environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Low Fat Diet
Low-fat diets also entered the equation, emphasising reduced fat consumption to promote weight loss and cardiovascular health. While I saw some positive outcomes in terms of weight management, I discovered that not all fats are created equal, and certain healthy fats are essential for overall well-being.
Each of these dietary approaches has contributed to my education and informed my choices. They’ve given me a well-rounded perspective on nutrition and underscored the importance of finding a diet that aligns with my individual preferences and goals.
Reflection on My Journey
Reflecting on my fitness journey so far, I’ve come to recognise that my initial goals, like achieving a six-pack or pursuing aesthetic ideals, may not have been substantial enough to sustain long-term commitment. These objectives, while motivating in the short term, lacked the depth and purpose needed to break the cycle of starting and stopping on my fitness journey.
As I transition into this new phase of my journey, my perspective on fitness goals has evolved significantly. I’ve realised that the most powerful motivation comes from the desire to live a happier, healthier, and longer life. Instead of fixating solely on external changes in my body, I’ve shifted my focus towards holistic well-being and the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
By prioritising my health and well-being, I aim to break the cycle of inconsistency and embrace a sustainable lifestyle change. It’s about more than just the physical transformation; it’s about nurturing my body, mind, and soul. I’ve learned that true fitness isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling good and functioning at my best.
My new approach centers around choosing exercises and activities that I genuinely enjoy, rather than adhering to rigid, uninspiring routines. It’s about savoring the foods that nourish my body and bring me joy, rather than resorting to bland and monotonous diets. This shift in mindset allows me to live more fully in the present while ensuring that I don’t harm the one body I have.
In essence, my fitness journey has become a journey of self-discovery and self-care. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle that aligns with my values and fosters not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. By focusing on the big picture of a happier, healthier, and longer life, I believe I can maintain a sustained commitment to my fitness journey and ultimately achieve the body and life I desire as a natural consequence of this transformative lifestyle change.
Balancing Bulking, Cardio, and Enjoyment
In my quest for a sustainable fitness journey, I’ve crafted a comprehensive plan that takes into account not only my physical goals but also my mental and emotional well-being. This plan is designed to promote long-term health, ensuring that I remain committed without the need for extended and mentally taxing cutting cycles.
Nutritional Strategy
One key aspect of my new fitness plan is maintaining a controlled calorie surplus. Instead of going for an aggressive bulk, I’ll aim for a more moderate approach by consuming only 250 calories above my maintenance level. This approach will help me steadily gain lean muscle without the need for drastic cutting phases that have impacted my mental health in the past.
Fitness Program
To kickstart my muscle-building journey, I’ll be revisiting a program that has yielded significant results for me in the past: “Shortcut to Size.” This program is designed to promote muscle hypertrophy through a combination of strength training and volume-focused workouts. It’s a comprehensive plan that targets all major muscle groups and has proven effective in helping me gain over 10 pounds of lean muscle in the past.
Cardiovascular Health
Recognising the importance of cardiovascular health, I’m incorporating swimming into my routine. After each gym session, I’ll spend an hour in the pool, ensuring that my heart and lungs receive the attention they need to function optimally.
Enjoyable Activities
Fitness shouldn’t feel like a chore, and to inject some fun into my routine, I’ve decided to play badminton. This enjoyable sport will not only keep me active but also provide a social aspect to my fitness journey as I’ll be playing it with my partner and friends.
Nutrition with Flavor
Unlike my previous strict adherence to the “Shortcut to Size” program’s nutrition plan, I’ve learned that I can achieve my goals without sacrificing flavor. This time, I’ll create my own meal prep, ensuring that my macros align with my objectives while savoring every bite. I’m excited to experiment with recipes and share the ones that prove to be both nutritious and delicious.
Balanced Indulgence
Lastly, I recognise the importance of balance in life. I love food, and I want to enjoy it while staying committed to my fitness journey. Therefore, every Friday, my fiancée and I will indulge in a planned cheat meal. This allows me to satisfy my cravings without derailing my progress and adds a touch of celebration to the end of the week.
In summary, my new fitness plan combines mindful nutrition, effective training, cardiovascular health, enjoyable activities, and a balanced approach to indulgence. By prioritising a healthier and happier life over quick aesthetic changes, I’m confident that this plan will help me stay the course, achieve my goals, and ultimately, live life to the fullest.
Accountability: Sharing My Journey
To add an extra layer of accountability to my fitness journey, I’ve decided to document my experiences and progress in this new section of my blog “Health Haven“. This section will serve as a public record of my challenges, victories, and lessons learned along the way. Here’s how this documentation will help me stay on track and inspire others:
1. Commitment
By openly sharing my goals and aspirations, I’m making a public commitment to my fitness journey. Knowing that others are following my progress will motivate me to stay dedicated and consistent.
2. Transparency
I’ll document both the highs and lows of my journey. This transparency will not only hold me accountable but also provide a realistic portrayal of what it takes to achieve fitness goals. It’s not just about showcasing success but also acknowledging setbacks and learning from them.
3. Support and Community
Blogging about my fitness journey allows me to connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. I can seek advice, share experiences, and offer encouragement to others who may be on similar paths. The sense of camaraderie will provide additional motivation.
4. Goal Tracking
The blog will serve as a visual timeline of my progress. I’ll regularly update it with data on my workouts, nutrition, and physical changes. This tracking will help me assess what’s working and what needs adjustment, keeping me on the path to success.
5. Education and Inspiration
Sharing my experiences, including the fitness program I follow, nutritional insights, and even the recipes I create, can educate and inspire others. I hope that by documenting my journey, I can provide valuable information and motivate others to embark on their own paths to a healthier life.
6. Accountability Partners
The blog will allow my readers and followers to become virtual accountability partners. Knowing that others are cheering me on and checking in on my progress will provide an extra push to stay consistent and focused.
Overall, this blog will become an integral part of my fitness journey, serving as a personal accountability tool while also offering guidance and inspiration to those who join me on this adventure. Together, we can navigate the challenges, celebrate the successes, and work towards living our happiest, healthiest lives.
Final Thoughts
As I embark on this renewed fitness journey, I’m filled with excitement, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. My past experiences have taught me valuable lessons about the importance of balance, holistic well-being, and the need for sustainable lifestyle changes. With my new fitness plan in place and the added accountability of documenting my journey on this blog, I’m ready to embrace the challenges ahead and work towards a happier, healthier, and longer life. I invite you to follow along, share in the triumphs and setbacks, and join me on this transformative adventure. Together, we’ll discover the power of dedication, self-care, and the joy of living life to the fullest.