Starting a new exercise routine? A lot of us are setting goals as we transition into a new year. Maybe you’re feeling excited and hopeful about your new goals, or maybe you are feeling a sense of uncertainty and dread.

Will I succeed? Will I fail? Where do I even begin?

It’s normal to feel a range of emotions when you’re starting something new.

There are a lot of great resources out there— gyms, local studios, trainers, coaches, and information online and on social media. But how do you know who to listen to and trust? How do you know where to start?

The practice of yoga teaches us that looking inward is a great way to begin.

Let’s try slowing down. Starting small. And learning to build trust within ourselves.

If you’re struggling to find or increase confidence— or perhaps you’re feeling fear or insecurity about going to the gym, a new class, or even exercising at home—this post is for you.

Here are 5 simple ways you can boost your confidence when it comes to your new (or even your old) workout routine.

Look into what’s creating this lack of confidence

In order to feel confident when exercising, you need to get to the bottom of why you feel a lack of confidence. Is it your body? Is it the lack of strength or flexibility? Is it your workout outfits? Is it the appearance of your body?

For some people, it may be their body and how it looks. Changing your outer appearance with something like cool sculpting at CoolTone Experts or purchasing different workout gear, maybe changing your hair— all of these can be a great starting place, but generally there’s some deeper emotional work that needs to be addressed.

There could also be pain or discomfort that you’re working through. If you’ve experienced an injury, your body and your mind may hold onto that memory and an old story you tell yourself about not being capable or ready to try something new and challenging.

Whatever the experience is for you, take a deep breath as you look within and reflect on what is causing this lack of confidence for you.

Listen to music

Listening to your favorite music can be a great way to boost your mood and get into a groove before you do a workout. Create a playlist for your next gym session, crank up your favorite song on the drive over to your next class, or put your headphones on and listen to a calming track before you head in.

Listening to music can allow you a pause from your anxious thoughts and help keep you in the moment.

Create a plan beforehand

Building a new fitness habit depends on great planning. Do you have your class logged in your calendar? Or maybe you like to track things by hand in your notebook? Have you determined the best time of day to fit your workout in? If you prefer classes, can you sign up ahead of time or get an app that helps keep you accountable? See what tools and resources there are to help you structure your time and create a reasonable plan that you can stick to. Build slowly from a solid foundation.

Venturing outside your comfort zone

To a degree, you can see exercising as a way of getting out of your comfort zone. You are physically getting out of your comfort zone by testing your body. But you’re also getting out of your comfort zone mentally by trying something new— you’re literally creating new neural pathways in your brain the first time you head to a new gym, work with a new style of yoga, go for a run somewhere you’ve never been, or do any other new activity. Give yourself some credit for being willing to step out of your comfort zone! Give yourself some grace and remember that you’re in a transition period. Over time, it will get easier. Keep showing up!

Write about it

One great way to reflect on your progress is to take some notes or write in a journal. This can help you see how far you’ve come and also reflect on what’s holding you back. This is a great practical way to follow up on #1 from this list— getting to the heart of what’s really holding back your confidence. Consider— maybe there’s an experience from your past that was difficult for you and left you feeling like exercise wasn’t for you. Maybe you had an embarrassing moment or a negative memory that left you feeling like you shouldn’t try again. Maybe there’s a subconscious fear that you’re ready to address. Whatever the situation is for you, give yourself permission to explore it, write about it, reflect, vent, and get really honest with yourself. This is your moment.

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