As fitness professionals, we work with clients of all ages, from teenagers looking to build strength to seniors rediscovering movement they thought they’d lost forever. One thing we’ve learned is that how you approach your health and fitness often depends on the lens you’re looking through.
Are you zoomed in too close, focusing only on the short term? Maybe you’re waiting for the “perfect time” to get started. Or perhaps you’re overwhelmed by today’s stress – work, family, or just life in general – and feel like you can always push your health to tomorrow.
But, are you looking far enough out? Are you considering what your life could look like years, even decades, down the road if you start now?
The Power of Perspective
As we age, life tends to offer us clarity. We reflect on choices made, opportunities seized – or missed – and moments that shaped us. It’s easy to wish we’d started sooner when we see the benefits of long-term health: the ability to play with grandchildren, travel freely, or simply move without pain. But hindsight doesn’t have to bring regret. Instead, it can be a powerful motivator to shift your perspective today.
Starting early is undeniably beneficial. The sooner you prioritize your health, the more time you have to build strength, increase endurance, and develop habits that will carry you through life. But the beauty of fitness is that it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re in your 20s or 80s, your body is remarkably adaptive, capable of growth and change at any age.
Why It’s Never Too Late
- Your Body Craves Movement: Even if you’ve been sedentary for years, your body can begin to respond positively to exercise within weeks. Strength returns, flexibility improves, and energy levels soar.
- Prevent Future Decline: Regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It also helps maintain cognitive function, keeping your mind sharp as you age.
- Mental Health Matters: Exercise isn’t just about your body – it’s a gift to your mind. Movement reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, leaving you feeling empowered and capable of taking on life’s challenges.
- Quality of Life: Starting your fitness journey means investing in your future self. Imagine hiking in your 70s and beyond, running after your grandkids, or simply getting out of bed without stiffness or pain.
Start Now: No Matter Your Lens
If you’re looking too closely at the immediate, it’s time to step back. See the bigger picture. Understand that every small step you take today – whether it’s walking around the block, trying a class, or seeking the help of a coach – plants a seed for a healthier, more fulfilling future.
And if you’ve been gazing too far out, imagining the life you want “someday,” it’s time to bring your focus to the present. “Someday” starts now. The future you dream of won’t materialize on its own. It’s built by the choices you make today.
Your health and fitness journey is unique to you. Don’t let the lens of procrastination or fear keep you from seeing the life you deserve. Start today, with what you have, and trust that every step forward is a step toward a better future.
It’s never too early, and it’s never too late. The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is now. What lens are you looking through?
~ Coach MJ