WHEN IS IT TIME TO START?

WHEN IS IT

TIME TO START?

If you’re trying to find the motivation to work out this holiday season, we’ve got you covered. Just take notes from our resident celebrity fitness contributor!

Isaac Boots

BY ISAAC BOOTS

There’s this mythological idea that at certain times of year you’re going to start working out, prioritizing your physical well-being, and getting that “bikini bod.” I’ve never been a fan of this idea because if you break it down you realize that it’s solely about the exterior.

I’ve always found the actual benefits of working out and being physical are best for your mental health, because as Elle Woods famously says in Legally Blonde: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” The subtext is that working out lifts your mood and brings people together.

I also believe people think that working out must be a place you go, when the best gym you have is free and always with you. Using your own body weight allows for endurance, strength, and mobility, which is the most sustainable form of working out.

Also, there’s no excuse because ultimately if all you need is the weight of your own body, then drop and give me 20! Just kidding…sort of.

That leads me to my next bit of advice, which is to move every day. Whether it’s going for a walk, doing 100 pushups, engaging in 10 minutes of my TORCH’D workout or any other for that matter, you can only meet your fitness goals by moving. If you do this, I can say with absolute certainty you will see an improvement in both your physical and mental health.

Now that we’ve established that everyone can workout, it’s important to note that there may be things that your body isn’t ready to do, which is perfectly normal. That’s not to say you can never do that side leg lift, for example, but you may have to work up to certain movements, just like you train to add more weight. Just do what you can. If you start with what you can do, you’ll find you can do more. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress. If you take anything away from this, I hope it’s that you know you are capable and the only person you need to compete with is yourself. We’re all different, and that’s what connects us. Don’t let other people be the reason you start your fitness journey. Do it for you, and the rewards will be that much greater. ■