6 things I wish I knew before starting my fitness journey

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on common fitness mistakes they made over a decade-long journey, emphasizing the importance of balance in health and fitness. They discuss the pitfalls of solely tracking weight, ignoring rest days, skipping warm-ups, adopting an all-or-nothing mindset, misinterpreting healthy eating, and neglecting hormonal health. The speaker shares personal experiences and lessons learned, urging viewers to prioritize overall well-being over extreme fitness goals.

Takeaways

• 🏋️‍♀️ The importance of not solely focusing on weight loss and tracking physical progress, as it can lead to neglecting mental health and overall well-being.
• 🌡️ The negative impact of daily weigh-ins on motivation and the potential for hormonal fluctuations to affect weight.
• 🛌 The necessity of rest days for physical recovery and the psychological benefits of listening to one's body.
• 🚫 The dangers of overtraining and the resulting emotional and physical exhaustion, including the risk of injuries.
• 🏃‍♀️ The significance of warming up and stretching to prevent injuries and enhance workout performance.
• 🌱 The realization that an all-or-nothing mindset can disrupt balance in life and lead to unsustainable fitness practices.
• 🥗 The misconception of 'healthy eating' and the need to listen to one's body for true nourishment and satisfaction.
• 🌈 The shift from volume eating to a more balanced and enjoyable approach to food, emphasizing flavor and social aspects.
• 🚫 The pitfalls of calorie counting and restrictive diets, which can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.
• 🌟 The critical role of hormonal balance in women's health, including the importance of regular menstruation cycles.
• 💧 The reminder to stay hydrated as part of a healthy lifestyle, with a personal touch on the benefits of using a specific water bottle.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to discuss the fitness mistakes the speaker has made in the past and the lessons learned from them.

What was the speaker's initial fitness goal?

The speaker's initial fitness goal was to lose weight and become super skinny, influenced by the Victoria Secret model era.

Why did the speaker feel that tracking only weight was a mistake?

Tracking only weight was a mistake because it led to neglecting other important aspects of health such as mental health, energy levels, and overall well-being.

What are some negative effects the speaker experienced from losing too much weight?

Some negative effects included low energy levels, dark eye circles, poor skin condition, hair loss, and a generally unhappy state of being.

Why is it important to check in with oneself beyond just the scale?

It's important to check in with oneself beyond just the scale to assess how one feels physically and mentally, including energy levels, sleep quality, and overall happiness.

What is the significance of rest days in fitness?

Rest days are significant because they allow the body to recover and repair, which is crucial for muscle growth and overall health.

Why did the speaker feel guilty on rest days in the past?

The speaker felt guilty on rest days because she believed she was not burning calories and thus should not eat, reflecting a toxic mindset focused on calorie burning.

What is the speaker's current approach to tracking progress in fitness?

The speaker's current approach to tracking progress focuses on how she feels daily, her energy levels, sleep quality, and happiness, rather than just weight.

Why is it recommended not to weigh oneself every day?

Weighing oneself every day is not recommended because it can lead to demotivation and frustration due to fluctuations in weight caused by factors like hormones, stress, and sleep.

What are some of the speaker's past mistakes regarding diet and nutrition?

Some of the speaker's past mistakes include volume eating (eating large amounts of low-calorie foods), tracking every calorie, and eliminating certain food groups like carbs and fats, which she later realized were not healthy.

What is the speaker's advice on how to approach diet and nutrition now?

The speaker advises focusing on eating foods that make one feel better, trying different cuisines, and making eating a social and enjoyable experience rather than a strict regimen.

Why is having a regular menstrual cycle important for women?

Having a regular menstrual cycle is important because it is a sign of hormonal balance and overall health. Irregular cycles or the absence of periods can indicate underlying health issues.

What was the impact of not having a period on the speaker's life?

Not having a period led to mood swings, a lack of sex drive, and overall unhappiness, highlighting the importance of hormonal balance for emotional well-being.