Published on January 23, 2023

The Four Pillars to Getting Started

What is the secret to getting started and staying motivated? Exercise and Wellness Specialist, Amanda Ducharme shares her four pillars to getting started below.

Fitness instructor teaching dance classJanuary is here and people start to reflect. New Year. New Me. What is the number one new year’s resolution? Lose weight and increase healthy habits. Is the answer a gym membership, a yoga class, or maybe purchase a Peloton or hire a trainer?

Building healthy habits are not the same for everyone and staying consistent requires intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is an individual's belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments (Bandura, 1977, 1986, 1997). Consider where you will have the least amount of negative intrusive self-talk. Ask yourself, do you enjoy socializing with others? Accomplishing goals? Learning about your body? Exercising at home or outside? Here are the four pillars to getting started when you begin a healthy habit:

Attract What You Expect

Place yourself in an environment that will encourage consistency and frequency. If you are around others with like-minded goals, you are more likely to expect yourself to keep going. If you enjoy the social factor, consider group fitness classes, join a sport or social club or a like-minded group. If you are motivated by accomplishments; keep stats on your workouts, hire a trainer or register for races.

Reflect What You Desire

Do you desire a healthy body? Ability to lift heavy? Show that. Do that. Talk about your journey with others. Know that you are not alone in building healthy habits.

Become What You Respect

Persevering through struggle deserves respect. We have all heard the saying “Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”. In fitness, this is especially true in regards to perspiration. Motivation will not be present at every workout, but you can always reflect on what movement does for the mind and body.  

Mirror What You Admire

I admire busy parents or caregivers that model healthy habits to their kids, friends that walk the track together, or individuals with physical disabilities who exercise to help with functional tasks. Be inspired by others and you may never know who you are inspiring in return.

Fitness doesn’t mean you have to fit in. It means you found a way to make movement a part of your lifestyle. To get started attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect and mirror what you admire.

Servus Place has plenty of classes and qualified trainers to help you get started or continue your fitness journey. Movement through dance is a great way to get active and have fun. Check out drop-in classes like Groovin’, Forever Groovin’ and Zumba.

Annual members at Servus Place gain access to more than 50 drop-in classes at no additional cost and receive a 15% discount on all registered programs and personal trainers. Learn more about the benefits of an annual membership and get started on your fitness and wellness journey today!

Last edited: January 23, 2023