What Does Getting Started in Fitness and Writing Have in Common?
It’s strange to think I’m writing this. Growing up, I hated writing. I majored in Economics and spent 16 years in Business Analytics. So, writing wasn’t exactly on my radar. But sometime around 2022, I felt this nagging urge to write. At first, I had no idea what to do with it. I ignored it—until I couldn’t anymore.
A couple of years later, I sat down to write, and I was hit with a massive case of imposter syndrome. I was not a writer. What did I even have to say? Who would want to listen? I felt stupid.
So, being the analytical person I am, I did what anyone would do: I researched the heck out of writing. I tried to break it down into steps and systems, thinking logic would solve my problem. But that didn’t help. I realized my real issue wasn’t about writing techniques—it was about vulnerability. Putting my writing out there to be seen and judged was terrifying.
I decided to dig deeper into this mental block. What did I need to do to overcome it? I fell back on what I know best: research. I read books and followed artists I admired—people who seemed fearless in sharing their work with the world.
Some of the books that really helped me include:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
If I had to summarize what these books taught me, it would be this:
It’s normal to feel “resistance” when starting something new.
You’re going to suck at it at first. But the more you show up, the faster you’ll improve.
You were called to do this for a reason. If you don’t do it, someone else will.
Just start. There’s never a perfect time, and you’ll never feel completely “ready.”
It will take a while before you can confidently call yourself the thing you’re trying to be—whether that’s a writer, a trainer, or anything else.
Separate yourself from your work. Don’t take critiques personally—your work is a separate entity.
Schedule your creative time and treat it like a job commitment. Show up.
So, you’d think with all this newfound wisdom, I’d just sit down and start writing, right? Nope. It took me seven months before I actually wrote something—and it was an excruciating process. But I stuck with it. That summer, I wrote about major life events I was still processing emotionally. For once, I wasn’t focused on perfection or systems. I just showed up, let the words flow, and would revisit pieces often and rework them if needed.
By the fall, I had completed several pieces and shared them on Instagram. The only cure for the fear of creating is to create the thing.
But what does this have to do with fitness? Everything.
Writing wasn’t the first new thing I’ve ever tried. And just like with writing, I struggled with getting started in my fitness journey. Here's what I faced in the beginning:
Resistance: I often didn’t “feel” like going to the gym. There were a thousand reasons to skip.
The calling: I had this overwhelming urge to use my body and get build muscle, but I didn’t know where to start.
Imposter syndrome: I felt out of place in the gym. I was afraid of making mistakes and looked clueless.
Overcoming resistance: I realized I needed to schedule gym time as non-negotiable if I was going to show up for myself.
Consistency: I kept showing up. I tweaked my form, reviewed my progress, and improved along the way.
Research: I became obsessed with learning. I took courses, got certified, and deepened my knowledge.
Identity shift: About a year and a half in, I started to feel like a “gym person.” Progress came when I started seeing my gym performance as separate from who I am.
Does any of this sound familiar? It should. The process of starting something new—whether it’s writing or fitness—is very similar. Even though I’d already gone through the same challenges with fitness, my writing journey still felt difficult.
It’s important to remember that feeling resistance and doubt when starting something new is totally normal—even if you’ve succeeded in other areas of life. Each new challenge might require you to go through this process again.
So, if you’re struggling with some of these same feelings on your fitness journey, I hope this post helps remind you that you’re not alone. It’s completely normal. And the most important thing is to get started. The second most important thing is to keep going.
If you are looking for help on your fitness, nutrition or fat loss journey, reach out. I’m here to help!
