Set Up a Supportive Environment for Fitness Progress

Many factors can either support or sabotage your fitness progress. An essential element for success is your environment.

If you’re new to fitness or have a particular fitness goal, stick around to learn how to set up a supportive environment.

fitness environment — By the end of the article, you’ll know why your environment affects your fitness progress.

You’ll also understand how to set up your environment to help you support your fitness goal.

Why your environment affects your fitness progress?

Your environment is everything that surrounds you. Your surroundings affect, whether you like it or not, your decisions.

When you have a particular fitness goal, especially when you begin, your motivation is usually incredibly high. It's easy to say no to a late-night dessert and wake up earlier to stick to your workout schedule.

However, this behavior sticks for only a week. Maximum two, if you’re really into it.

The more time passes, the easier you can be tempted by the cookies left on the counter.

That’s why it’s a good decision to set an environment that supports your current goals and values.

Comment below which one is harder for you: stick to nutrition or workout plan.

How your environment affects your nutrition choices?

What most people struggle with is being consistent with a nutrition plan.

The struggle is even worse when you see temptation everywhere around you. If you try to reduce the processed foods in your diet, it’s hard to see cookies on the counter all the time.

Or if you try to eat more vegetables but haven’t been to the groceries, it’s unlikely to find any in the fridge.

One of the main factors to be consistent with your nutrition plan is to make everything easy and convenient.

When you leave a protein bar on the counter or a chia yogurt pudding in the fridge, it’s so much easier to stick to a healthy dessert or snack.

environment support — Your surroundings support your goal and help you achieve it.

How your environment affects your workout schedule or capability?

Many people find it hard to make time in their busy schedules for a fitness workout or other physical activity.

At the beginning of their fitness journey, high motivation helps but only for a few days.

If you have no time to go to the gym, make a little home setup. I’m not talking about anything fancy - a pair of dumbbells, a yoga mat, glute bands.

Keep them at a spot you can easily see them when you wake up or after work.

If you prefer to work out at a gym, make sure to leave your fitness tag somewhere you can see it. It will remind you of your new fitness goal.

Also, you can follow some fitness accounts on Instagram or any other social media. Seeing people working out motivates you to do it too and makes you hit the gym after work.

You can follow me on Instagram here. I post a bunch of workouts and fitness and nutrition tips.

Excuses are so easy to find: you have an important presentation at work, a family gathering, and a relationship to take care of.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop, so you can start prioritizing your health goals. The perfect time to start is now.

supportive environment — And one of the best supporters in your environment.

Your environment can affect your decision towards your fitness goals.

But how to set up an environment that supports your health and fitness progress?

Make a plan.

Great changes start with a plan. Plan all the steps you need to succeed depending on your fitness goal.

If you want to change your nutrition plan:

Make a groceries list with everything you need.
Decide whether you’ll meal prep, and read how to do it here.
Try to get a healthy alternative to your favorite cravings. For example, if you’re a fan of ice cream, don’t skip getting one. You’ll end up going to the closest store at 11 pm for Ben & Jerry’s. Instead, get ice cream that has fewer calories or more protein. Be prepared for your cravings because they won’t magically go away.
Set yourself up for the bad days. Write some affirmations to help you stay on track and motivate you.

Examples:

Consistency is the key to success.

It takes time for my body to change.

I am ready to prioritize my health. Hard work always pays off.

I am nourishing my body with good high-quality food.

If you want to change your workout program or start working out regularly:

Decide whether you’re working out at home, outside, or at the gym.
Choose a type of workout you enjoy and supports your goals. I know not every session is perfect. But when you practice something you like, it’s easier to stick to it.
Prepare for your workouts. If you want to go to the gym, find one at a convenient location, and get a membership. If you prefer to work out at home, prepare all the essentials you need.
Writing a fitness journal helps to keep yourself accountable. You can also write affirmations and prepare for a bad day. Read the full article here.

Organize your surroundings.

After you've made a good plan and prepared everything you needed, it’s time to set your environment.

Make sure you have everything around you that helps you succeed.
Keep everything that sabotages your goal away from the eye.

When you want to change your nutrition plan:

Make sure you have healthy meals available to you at work and home. You can meal prep some of your meals if you don't have access to healthy food at work.
When you go out, look for restaurants that have healthy options. Every restaurant nowadays has at least a few.*

*Disclaimer: It’s not the end of the world if not every meal is perfectly balanced or healthy. You’re a busy human being who is trying to live better.

Don’t go for perfection. Life happens, and sometimes you don’t have access to a healthy meal. Get whatever you can or desire, and keep going. One non-ideal meal is not the end of the world.

If you’re a snack or dessert person, have healthier options available around you. For example, leave a protein bar on the counter and a chia fruit pudding in the fridge. The first thing you see in the kitchen will support your fitness goal.
Leave a water bottle at your desk, nightstand, and in the kitchen. It will remind you to drink enough water for the day.

Related article: How much water should you drink?

When you want to change your workout plan:

Schedule your training. If you need, add your workouts to your calendar or set reminders. It means they are an important event you need to attend.
You can’t always stick to your workout schedule. In those days, do a shorter workout. Even 5 minutes of movement is better than no movement at all.
If you’re working out at home, leave your dumbbells, yoga mat, etc., somewhere you can easily see them when you wake up or come home after work.
If you’re going to the gym, leave your gym bag at a visible spot. When you look at it during the day, it’ll remind you of your new goal.
Follow fitness profiles, join groups and forums on social media to motivate you to work out and achieve your goals.
Get yourself a nice workout outfit. It helps with motivation on bad days. You check this list of trendy and affordable workout clothes.

Ask for support.

It’s hard to stick to a new habit in general. And it gets worse when nobody around you does it or supports it.

If you have a friend who loves working out and usually hits the gym, ask him to go together. He can show you some exercises and help you perform better.

Also, if you don’t feel like going, he can motivate you to show up.

If no one around you has any health-related goals, find people that will.

You can join forums or Facebook groups. You will surround yourself with conversations and people in your digital presence who have the same goals and problems as you.

Also, when you go to the gym or a fitness class, it’s easy to meet new people who share your passion and struggles to change. Be open to new connections and friendships.

When you have people around you with the same goals as yours, it’s easier to be consistent and not give up.

Your environment can either support or sabotage you and your health goals.

You’re in charge. So set it up for success in your fitness journey.

I hope this article motivated you to keep going with your fitness journey with more confidence.

Also, let me know about your fitness struggles in the comments below or fill out my survey. Once I know what bothers you, I will put an end to it.

If you found the article helpful, leave me a comment and share it with your friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter so you can start thriving while smiling.

How to Set Up a Supportive Environment for Your Fitness Progress