Starting a workout routine can feel overwhelming, especially when so much of fitness culture focuses on “transformations” and before-and-after photos. But fitness doesn’t have to be about completely changing your body—it can be about feeling stronger, moving better, and improving your overall health. At Ripple Effect, we are not a weight loss gym. We think your bodyweight is probably one of the least important or interesting things about you! Here’s a few tips for folks looking to start a new chapter on their fitness journey, without focusing on lower bodyweight as the “be all, end all” goal of working out.
1. Focus on How You Feel, Not How You Look
Instead of worrying about how exercise will change your appearance, think about how it makes you feel. Do you feel more energized? Less stressed? More confident? These benefits are just as important as physical changes and often come sooner than you expect. Having more energy to run around with your kids is objectively a more useful outcome than having six pack abs, right?
2. Choose Activities You Enjoy
When you find activities you enjoy, working out feels less like a chore and more like self-care. If it’s not fun and interesting, you’ll be looking for any opportunity NOT to go! At our gym we mix in a lot of variety in the workouts, with enough structure and consistency to see progress over time. Most folks are also surprised how fun & satisfying weightlifting is! Life is too short to do workouts you hate.
3. Set Non-Aesthetic Goals, Too
Shifting your focus to goals like getting stronger, improving endurance, or feeling more flexible can make fitness more rewarding. Celebrate small wins, like lifting a heavier weight, doing a push-up, or walking up stairs without feeling winded. We have a Bright Spots whiteboard in our gym for this very reason — tracking those non-scale victories helps us stay motivated and keeps us moving forward.
4. Surround Yourself with Support
Being part of a supportive community can make all the difference. Whether it’s joining a group fitness class or a personal trainer you vibe with, having encouragement and accountability helps you stay motivated and feel good about your journey. For most people, they starting coming to Ripple Effect for their fitness, but they stay for years because of the strong relationships they form along the way.
5. Be Kind to Yourself
Remember, progress isn’t linear, and every day won’t feel the same. Give yourself grace on days when you need to rest or move more gently. Fitness is a lifelong journey, and it’s okay to go at your own pace.
Some folks might lose weight working out at RECF. Some people (especially if they’ve never lifted before) might actually gain weight, but might still look different than before. Some bodies are stubborn and don’t want to change composition at all! Everybody’s different, so run your own race.
Fitness Without the Pressure
Starting a workout routine doesn’t have to come with the pressure of “transforming” your body. At Ripple Effect you will never see before & after pictures on our social media. You’ll never see a “Biggest Loser” competition. We don’t have a scale in the gym. The incessant obsession with bodyweight in the health care & fitness industries does nothing but cause more problems! Regardless of how big or small you are, we can help you get stronger, healthier, and happier. Come in for a Free Intro Session to chat with us about getting started on your fitness journey. You’ll be glad you did!
