thebabyperks

Fun fact-- I started working at the school gym at the beginning of the school year. As people have slowly found this out they ask how I motivate myself to go to the gym, how to overcome feeling self-conscious and how to get started (by the way, I'm more than happy to talk to anyone in person about these topics or any other questions).

I needed a picture of the gym and this is as good as it got, I'm sorry

If I am being honest, I battle myself every day in regards to the above questions. Sure, I "went" to the gym last semester, but "going to the gym" for me was getting on the treadmill and running for 1-3.5 miles. I'd promptly wipe down the treadmill with the sanitizing spray and walk out the gym doors. I'm not trying to disregard this accomplishment by any means. Any time you choose to get moving is a step in the right direction. I wanted to do more than just run on the treadmill, but if you read my fitness journey blog post, I was terrified.

It took me until this summer to pick up a dumbbell. I had nothing better to do when I wasn't working and I needed to occupy some time. We have a small gym set up at home, but I had no clue where to start. I followed plenty of fitness bloggers on Instagram but they didn't seem realistic. I searched YouTube for some sort of beginner tutorials and I stumbled upon HasFit. Now their video tutorials are what I use as a guideline for most of my workouts. They have have a lot of great options especially when you're under a time crunch.

Now to answer the question about not feeling self conscious. I always feel self conscious-- in regards to the gym and life. It's terrifying at first, don't get me wrong, and honestly a moment of panic flashs through me every time I open the door to the gym. What I've found, though, is that going to the gym makes me feel strong, confident and accomplished. 

I have this constant fear that everyone is watching me and judging me, but what I have learned is that no one is paying attention to me. They are focused on themselves and their own workout, as long as you aren't being obnoxious or stupid no one is going to really care what you are doing. I make a lot of accidental eye contact with people, but I've accepted that it happens sometimes and I move on. 

Life is going to be uncomfortable at times, you can let that stop you or you can use it as motivation to improve. 

Everyone's lives are incredibly busy, it's easy to forgo working out because you don't have time. I feel a noticeable difference in myself if I don't go to the gym when I originally planned to. It's also something I know I can check off my to-do list and feel proud about afterwards.

My best advice? As someone who feels like I'm still a novice, it's just to take the step and go to the gym. Start with the ellipticals and treadmills, or jump straight to the dumbbells. Do what you're most comfortable with, but then challenge yourself to go a little further. You'll be amazed at the progress you see physically and mentally.

Until next time,
Taylor xx

P.S.: Below are some of my favorite fitness inspirations:
- Whitney Simmons
- Bianca Franco 
- Carley Rowena 
- Rob Lipsett