We are heading towards that time of year when a lot of people start to make goals for the new year, etc, and for a lot of people, getting fit and healthy is one of them.
So, how do you do it without actually hating everything about it and hating your life?
Well, getting fit shouldn’t feel like punishment.
It shouldn’t feel like purgatory.
It shouldn’t feel like you’ve been sentenced to treadmill jail because you ate a biscuit. This is something you should never get into, never punish yourself with exercise over something you ate, and if someone points out to you that you need to run for days or do 50 burpees with a 20kg weighted vest on because you had some Quality Street, then tell them to go fuck themselves and remove them from your life.
Fitness is supposed to make your life BETTER.
- More energy.
- More confidence.
- Less stress.
- Stronger body.
- Better mood.
Not misery.
Here’s how to do it without hating every second.
Stop forcing yourself to do workouts you despise
If you hate running, stop running.
If burpees make you contemplate faking your own disappearance, stop doing burpees.
If Zumba feels like hell because you have the coordination of Bambi on ice… well, you get the idea.
Do the things you enjoy, or at least don’t actively loathe.
Enjoyment = consistency.
Consistency = results.
Shrink the barrier to entry
Don’t start with:
“I will train 6 days a week and transform my entire life.”
Start with:
- “I’ll move 20 minutes today.”
- “I’ll walk after dinner.”
- “I’ll get to one class.”
- “I’ll do 3 sessions this week.”
Set yourself up with those non-negotiables, trying to do too much at the beginning will only give you a negative mindset when you don’t hit it that first time.
Small steps = momentum.
Momentum beats perfection.
Fuel properly — hangry training is not personality-building
You’re not meant to train under-fuelled and under-caffeinated while living on vibes and sadness.
Eat:
- Protein
- Carbs
- Colour
- Enough calories
Your workouts should not feel like punishment just because your lunch was three crackers and a prayer to whatever god you believe in.
Make it social
Training alone is great.
Training with people is fun. I mean, you all come together with a mutual hatred of the coach.
Classes, PT, group conditioning — all help you:
- Stay accountable
- Laugh
- Push harder without hating life
- Bond with the other sweaty gremlins at 6 am
Community matters.
Fox Den community?
Well, I would be a bit of Twat if I didn’t mention it, well yeah, it’s even better.
Celebrate tiny wins
Not just:
- weight loss
- PBs
- big transformations
But:
- “I slept better.”
- “I had more energy.”
- “I didn’t talk myself out of the gym today.”
- “I actually enjoyed it.”
- “I lifted heavier.”
Tiny wins stack up and create big change.
Final Thought
Fitness doesn’t need to be extreme.
It doesn’t need to be painful.
It doesn’t need to make you dread your own training plan.
Get fit without hating your life by keeping things smart, fun, flexible, and human.
You don’t need perfection.
You just need to keep showing up.
