I’ve learned many lessons from my fitness journey. I’m still traveling. In this post, I’ll share what keeps me motivated and what I believe has helped me travel as far as I have. For me, my process boils down to five principles:

• Move toward feeling great. Listen to what your body has to tell you about the state of your health. Listening to your body becomes more challenging when when the end-point of your journey is just a number on the scale.
• Be realistic. Accurately assess how much time you have to devote to health and fitness before you decide on a plan. This will help you create, or co-create, a plan that you can actually follow.
• Be true to yourself. Just because everyone seems to be riding a particular bandwagon, doesn’t mean you need to be. Find your own wagon! Maybe that means following a ketogenic diet, running, and lifting free weights. Maybe it means being vegan, swimming, and going to kettle ball class. Maybe it means becoming a devotee of superfood smoothies, taking long walks, and pole dancing. Whatever. There are many ways to use food and exercise as medicine. Don’t be afraid to explore your options and don’t be afraid to mix things up!
• Remember that nobody is perfect. Stick with your plan as best you can. If you fall off your wagon, just hop back on with a bit of reflection and an absence of drama. I’m in this place right now.
• Consult with professionals. It’s worth consulting with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet or beginning a new fitness regimen. Most of us would also benefit from a few sessions with a professional trainer. Your trainer should teach you how to use gym equipment safely and effectively. S/he should also be able to design a plan that will improve your muscle coordination as well as your strength. According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association, personal trainers based in the U.S. charge on average $50 an hour. That isn’t cheap. But, a good trainer is worth the expense. If working with a trainer doesn’t seem to be in your financial cards, try saving for a few sessions by eliminating restaurant meals for several months. Even two sessions dedicated to improving your form can make a huge difference.

What lessons have you learned from your fitness journey? What do you hope to learn? Please share in the comments!