Embarking upon a new fitness journey can undoubtedly be exciting, but at the same time, if it can also be a bit daunting, especially if your fitness journey is a rather drastic lifestyle change from what you're used to. I can also tell you from my own personal experiences that when you start a fitness journey, it can be rather frustrating at times; and sometimes a bit confusing. Although I knew going into my fitness journey that it wasn't aways going to be easy, especially not in the beginning, there were quite a few things that I didn't really anticipate as I progressed in my fitness journey. There were also quite a few things that, although I had heard them before, I didn't really grasp them until after I had progressed into my fitness journey, or until after I had temporarily fallen off the workout wagon. Let me be honest for a second, I've actually learned quite a lot about embarking on a fitness journey through the many times that I've "rage quit" on my own fitness journey out of frustration or when my motivation was lacking. Although for me, frustration and a lack of motivation tend to go hand in hand. I tend to lose my enthusiasm for my fitness journey when I get frustrated with myself or with the journey itself. Then I get frustrated when my motivation is lacking. Then I would end up skipping my workout because I'm frustrated and unmotivated, and I just don't want to keep going, even though I feel guilty about stopping.

All of that being said, I am not telling you this to discourage you from embarking upon or continuing your own fitness journey; as a matter of fact, it's quite the opposite. My whole reason for telling you these things is so that you know that it's normal to get frustrated and lose some of your motivation when you're on your fitness journey. It's not only normal if you end up falling off the wagon, but it's okay; it actually happens to everyone. I am telling you these things because I don't see a lot of fitness or motivational blogs talking about these things enough. I'm telling you these things so that you'll be ready for them when they arise, and they won't discourage you or catch you by complete surprise. I am also telling you some of these things so you don't end up standing in your own way and hindering your own progress on your fitness journey due to any misconceptions or beliefs you may have about living an active lifestyle. Because let me tell you, I have quite a few misconceptions about this lifestyle when I first started. There were also a few things that I had just wished someone told me when I was getting started on my journey.

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Even if you can't get to the gym or to a workout class, there is no reason that you can't still get a great workout in. Although the gym environment can be super motivating, especially if you take a workout class, you don't need the gym to find the motivation to workout. You don't need to attend a pricey workout class to get your sweat on, nor do you need a lot of equipment to get a good workout in. As a matter of fact, you really don't need any special equipment at all; you don't necessarily even need a yoga mat. For some home workouts, you don't really need a ton of space either. All you need is the desire and the motivation to get moving.

As an introvert, I have always preferred working out on my own from home anyway. That way, nobody can bother me while I'm getting my sweat on. Plus, there are so many at-home workouts available online that if I get bored with my workout, I can easily switch up. For me, working out from home is basically second nature. It's just a matter of finding the motivation to do it and building a routine that's easy to stick to.

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Sometimes I can't wait to hit the mat or go for a run, other times I seriously do not want to work out, or even get out of my chair (or my bed) for the matter; sometimes I really need a little extra something to motivate me to put on my shoes and start moving. On those days, I need a little extra motivation to help me stay on track and not needlessly miss my workout; if there's no real reason why I have to skip it that day. And even when I'm feeling super motivated, it never hurts to have a little extra motivation to help take full advantage of that energy and excitement so I can make the absolute most of it.

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Spring has officially in the northern hemisphere! Well, at least by the calendar, it's officially Spring; I live in Ohio so it'll probably be a couple more weeks before it actually starts to feel more like Spring consistently. Gotta love the weather in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Anyway, warmer weather is just around the corner, so if you've been thinking of trying running, now is the time to give it a go; and even if you live in the southern hemisphere, Fall can also be a great time to start running as well, when the weather isn't too hot or too cold.

I personally started running in the Spring of 2017 as a way to add in some extra cardio to my regular workout, and although running definitely is challenging, especially in the beginning or when coming back to it after the Winter, it's definitely enjoyable. And while I may not be a professional runner or a personal trainer, I have certainly found ways through a bit of trial and error that help make my runs and jogs better and more enjoyable. So if you're considering getting into running or jogging this Spring, Fall, or really any time, these tips are certainly worth reading, as I honestly wish I knew some of them before I ever started running!

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Whether you're just getting started on your fitness journey, or you're a longtime fitness junkie, you've probably had a few of those days where you just really didn't want to work out. Perhaps even to the point that you absolutely dreaded the mere idea of putting on your shoes or rolling out your mat and getting started. It's okay, I've totally been there; many times. And yes, I've also totally skipped my workout on multiple occasions too; which is totally okay to do occasionally, as long as it doesn't become a habit. Rest days are essential, and it's important to take a rest day or an "active rest day" at least once a week. I have personally set Sundays to be my active rest day, where I'll just stretch my muscles or do some gentle yoga in place of any intense exercise (hence the "active" part), but even though I have my rest day every week, I still have days where I really, really, really don't want to work out through the rest of the week.

But the thing is, even when I really don't want to work out, even to the point that I'm absolutely dreading even getting ready for my workout, I don't like missing my workout. I know that getting my workout in benefits me in so many ways, both mentally and physically. I can go on and on about all of the ways that simply making the time to workout has benefitted me, and how 40 minutes to an hour of movement has made a huge impact on my life. But despite knowing how great working out usually makes me feel, notice I said usually, there are just some days where it's a struggle to drag myself to the mat.

When I do end up getting to the mat on these days, I typically don't regret it, I'll even feel a greater sense of accomplishment that I completed something that I didn't even want to begin. But there are also times where, for one reason or another, I'll drag myself to the mat and end up having a crappy workout and won't even enjoy a second of it; sometimes leading me to feel even worse than before I started. Which is an indicator that I probably should have either taken a rest day or tried something else.

No one likes having a crappy workout, and working out should never make you feel worse than you did before you started. Although it does happen from time to time. But to help avoid this feeling, as well as needlessly skipping my workout, I like to ask myself why I don't feel like working out that day. And when I think about it, it usually comes down to one of these 5 reasons.