Choosing to start a fitness journey can be challenging. The comfort of our daily routines can be hard to give up. Trading in an afternoon siesta for a 30-minute gym session on a weekend can seem tortuous, but it doesn’t have to be. Founder of Holifit PH, Jose Villablanca, shares his expertise in his book “Holistically Fit: Conquering Physical, Mental, and Emotional Habits to Build a New and Better You” to help you achieve your fitness goals and put you on the path to self-improvement. With these helpful tips found in Villablanca’s book, you can escape your comfort zone and build a healthier lifestyle starting today.
“Try new things.”
For Jose Villablanca, getting out of your comfort zone means trying something you’ve never done before. It can mean learning a new sport, such as tennis, or getting into the world of cooking; whatever experience you set yourself to learn for the first time, know that it will be difficult initially. Unfortunately, we can’t all be Serena Williams or Gordon Ramsay in the snap of a finger. But even the greatest professionals are honed through consistent practice and improvement. The same is true for a fitness journey. Getting used to a new routine takes time. Acknowledge your amateur status and be open to new experiences. There will be roadblocks ahead that may discourage you, but don’t let it keep you from achieving your fitness goals.
“Acknowledge what scares you”
The ease and security of staying in one place or doing one thing for a long time gives us comfort. It shields us from the uncertainty of what’s out there, but if we never pry the curtain open and peek to the other side, we will never know what new adventures await us. Shedding our old selves comes with what Villablanca calls “growing pains”. Every journey that sets us in motion toward a better self must begin with unlearning unhealthy beliefs. It’s natural to leave behind parts of ourselves that weigh us down when we’re on the road to a higher place.
“Expect failures”
Every fitness journey is different. A method that works for someone may not be the perfect fit for you. That is why Jose Villblanca takes a personal approach to wellness that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We each have our own limits. Therefore, it’s no use comparing your progress to someone else. Villblanca wisely tells us, “Expect failures but know that is part of the growing process.” If you struggle with your fitness journey, know it’s normal to feel that way. The good news is that you won’t always be a beginner. Through repetitive practice, Villablanca guarantees you will get better!
Getting out of your comfort zone does not have to be a losing battle. Choosing a healthier lifestyle for yourself demands discipline and consistency. The famed writer Brene Brown once said, “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” So, which will it be today?
by Isabel Torres