3 Ways You Can Listen To Your Body & Begin Your Healthy Lifestyle Journey As An Anxious Beginner!

You hear a lot that our bodies are unique, but the fitness industry keeps generalizing and giving blueprints that most people struggle with. I’ve been there, so I feel your pain!

I remember starting my journey 10years ago after the birth of my 2nd son, I had just recovered from a near-death eclampsia experience and it was simply a miracle that I survived.

If I had began my journey the normal way every neurotypical postpartum mum who goes to the gym and lifts weight did, it would have sent me back to the hospital in critical condition, so here are 3 guiding steps to take when you feel anxious to begin your healthy lifestyle journey:

1. Practice Mindful Awareness:

   The good news is your body is already giving you cues on how to be healthier, they’re subtle, but everyone has them or you’re already doing some things, but not paying attention to them. Asking yourself what you can do now or already doing but need to keep doing to remain consistent. For me in 2015, as an anxious postpartum mum recovering from eclampsia, IT WAS JUST TO WALK!

   In the first 2 months, I’d walk for 10-30mins on average around my neighborhood.

   Labeling your emotions is key in this phase, because sometimes you’d feel overwhelmed, tensed or comforted, so make sure you check in with your feelings daily and admit what you’re experiencing.

   I can say everybody walks, but just practicing Mindful Awareness, makes you make the most of that exercise, then you can scale up!

2. Develop a Flexible Routine:

   A routine that adapts to your body’s signals can help reduce the unpredictability that anxiety often brings.

   STARTING SMALL-Incorporate one or two simple habits into your day. This might be a few minutes of stretching after the short walk we started with above, or a quiet moment of prayer and breathing deeply as you settle into your morning duties.

   SET GENTLE BOUNDARIES- Recognize when your body is signaling stress or fatigue. If you feel anxious or exhausted, allow yourself to adjust your routine without guilt.

   CELEBRATE SMALL WINS- Every step you take, no matter how small is progress. By creating a routine that respects your limits, you’re building a foundation for a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

   GET A ACCOUNTABILITY- This is where getting a fitness coach who is genuinely interested in your fitness journey is super important. Building healthy habits take time and being coached with the right tools of accountability helps you stay on track and evaluate your progress.

3. HONOR YOUR BODY WITH MOVEMENT:

   Yup it’s no error I wrote this in CAPS, because balancing physical activity and rest is crucial, especially when anxiety can tip your energy levels in unpredictable ways-

   Gentle Movement: People think until you must overly exert yourself when you begin your journey, but that is far from the truth, you only need to choose activities that feel accessible and enjoyable. A slow walk, or even dancing to your favorite song can help release tension and improve your mood.

   Track Your Progress: this actually depends on your personality, which your coach can determine when you’re assessed, because what works for one person will not work for another. Recently, I got a Garmin Watch that tracks my sleep, steps and more, for some other people, journaling does the trick and there are different ways to journal too (this should be a separate blogpost, I’ll share more next week)

   Mind Your Limits & Create Personal Balance: most days, simple movements will be better than no movement at all, every day shouldn’t be for high intensity workouts (if that’s your thing), else you’ll burn out and lose the steam of consistency. The big play here is to build habits that are sustainable, then build on it. You can think of your day as a cycle. Plan periods of movement(for some it’ll be intense 20mins workout session), interspersed with quiet moments for self-care, meditation/breathing, or simply doing nothing. This balance not only supports physical well-being but also helps manage anxiety by preventing burnout.

Beginning a healthy lifestyle as an anxious beginner doesn’t require drastic changes overnight. It starts with listening to your body, validating your emotions, and creating a routine that honors your unique needs.

When I started actively coaching in 2016/2017, I always used the term “listen to your body, it’s always speaking, be still to listen!” And this quote still holds true today. Remember, every body is different, and every journey is personal—give yourself permission to grow at your own pace.

If you need help with accountability on your fitness journey, drop a comment, send a WhatsApp message to wa.me/14252476288 and let’s get you started 🫶🏼