Why You're Never Really "Starting Over"

You’re never really starting over.

You’re either starting something brand new or you’re returning to something with different wisdom, perspective, and experience than before.

You might feel physically “back at square one,” but this time you have more knowledge and past experience on your side.

It’s the beginning of another week and if you’re feeling like you have to start all over again this Monday, or if you’ve ever felt like you have to start from scratch with your health and fitness, you don't.

It can feel good to get a fresh start with a clean slate. But it can also feel daunting, especially if you’ve been on the sidelines for awhile.

I’ve recently met new clients who are just now getting back into a post-pandemic routine. I have friends and clients who’ve dealt with injuries and illnesses that have set their fitness way back, and I’ve experienced those myself over the years.

What’s important to remember is that you’re never totally starting over.

It’s not Monopoly, you did not get sent all the way back to the start with nothing to show for it.

You might feel like your endurance or strength or abilities are back where they were way before you’d ever stepped in a gym, but they’re not.

You’re a different person now than you were then, whether it’s been weeks, months, or years.

You might be at the same physical ability level as when you were a beginner, but you have so much more knowledge and insight than you did then.

You’ve learned skills like how to execute moves correctly. You’ve tried fitness classes and know which ones you like and which ones aren't your jam. You've been inside the room and you know it's not really as intimidating as it can seem at first!

You might know more about nutrition and food — which foods work for you and which don't and, if you’re one of my nutrition clients, how to shop smart and eat well in order to feel your best.

You know so much than you did when you were just starting!

If you feel like you’re back to square one, you’re not. You might be at square two, but you’ll always have the knowledge and information you gained previously.

It’s not starting OVER, it’s starting again.

And if you’ve started a gym routine or followed a balanced nutrition plan once, it’s so much simpler to do it again. (Simpler, not easier!)

The first time, we’re in learning mode, so things seem more complicated. Progress might seem slow because we’re just figuring out what the heck we’re doing. Our musculoskeletal system is learning new movement patterns. Our brains are processing new behaviors.

Starting again can feel similar. Our bodies have to remember what training feels like, and our brains have to switch back into the mindset of consistently moving and eating well. It can feel like a slow, super frustrating process if we previously felt like we were crushing it!

The good news is that our minds and our bodies remember. It will come back quickly, and the more consistent we are with our "new" routine, the faster we'll pick it back up.

So if you're feeling overwhelmed, intimidated, or discouraged about “starting over,” don’t be. You’ve got this.

Don't put it off. Even if it seems hard. If you stare too long at the mountain ahead of you, it will look a lot bigger and more challenging than it actually is once you start to climb.

You already know how to put one foot in front of the other. You’ve got this. Now go do it. I'm rooting for you!