{"id":774,"date":"2026-07-13T16:44:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parris-performance.com\/feb2026-blogposts\/?p=774"},"modified":"2026-07-13T18:07:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T22:07:13","slug":"just-get-started","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parris-performance.com\/feb2026-blogposts\/2026\/07\/13\/just-get-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Get Started!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Taking the first step in your fitness journey is easier than you think! Learn how two of our clients lost 7lbs in two weeks by resistance training 2-3x per week and logging their food.<\/em>” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|line_height:1.2em” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Joshua Parris, PhD, NSCA-CPT” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:14|text_align:left|color:%23004851|line_height:1.3em” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]When it comes to physical fitness, we live in the age of information. There is no shortage of workout and nutrition plans at our fingertips, and with the advances of artificial intelligence, you could have a full program designed for you within minutes (maybe even seconds). It truly is a blessing to have access to a plethora of knowledge and resources about personal health; however, despite this access and an awareness of the positive impact of regular physical activity on one\u2019s health and well-being, most people fail to reach the national guideline recommendations for physical activity<\/a> set forth by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Physical inactivity may be considered a public health issue and is a significant contributing factor to rising obesity (defined as a BMI > 30kg\/m2) rates in the United States. 2024 data from the Center for Disease Control showed that each state had an adult obesity prevalence of over 25% (1 in 4 adults), with childhood and adolescent obesity rates continuing to rise.<\/p>\n

With so much access to information about personal health and wellness, why is it that more than 25% of the US population is obese? Why do so many people struggle to reach the recommended weekly physical activity requirements? While the reasons for this are multifactorial and include a mix of socioeconomic factors, we\u2019ve noticed two critical hurdles that result in perpetual physical inactivity: a lack of knowing how to get started, and a lack of accountability to stick to a training plan. In this article, we\u2019ll tackle how you can get started today on your fitness journey. More on the topic of accountability can be found in our blog series \u201cHow to stay disciplined when life gets busy<\/a>.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”How to overcome physical inactivity” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Picture this \u2013 it\u2019s Friday night, you\u2019ve had an exhausting week, and you\u2019re excited to crash on the couch after dinner to watch Netflix. Even though you know what genre you want to watch, you open the app and start scrolling. Without noticing, 30 minutes pass by, and you get a little flustered, now hoping just to get on with the \u201crelaxing\u201d evening. Because you don\u2019t want to feel like you\u2019ve wasted all this time for nothing, you pick a familiar movie and fall asleep within the first 30 minutes. Ever happen to you? Us too!<\/p>\n

This is a classic case of paralysis by analysis \u2013 with so many options for us to choose from, we can easily get overwhelmed and either revert to what we know or fail to act on the information at all. The same can be said for our physical health. With so much information (and unfortunately a lot of noise), we are tempted to spend so much time trying to pick \u201cthe perfect plan\u201d only to waste time and revert to something we know, even though it didn\u2019t work in the past. Worse, we don\u2019t do anything at all.<\/p>\n

So how can we overcome this? Just pick something and start moving! I know\u2026sounds too easy, right? Well, it really is that easy. Newton\u2019s first law of motion states, \u201ca body in motion remains in motion, or a body at rest remains at rest, unless acted upon by a force.\u201d Translation \u2013 stop trying to analyze every single plan that you could do and just start moving your body! Do something you enjoy \u2013 walking, hiking, basketball, pickleball, lifting weights, swimming, kayaking, rock-climbing\u2026whatever it may be, and commit to doing that one thing 2 to 3 times per week, no matter who or what tries to prevent you from following through on this. Recognize that it is normal to feel sore during these initial attempts at physical movement, and you may not want to follow through on this in the beginning. But, with your decision to keep moving (the true \u201cforce\u201d acting to get your body in motion), you\u2019ll notice that in one to two weeks your body will adjust to this new level of activity – you won\u2019t be as sore, and your capacity to handle more will increase.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Challenge: Make a commitment right now to start some form of physical activity and write down your commitment using the following prompt: \u201cI will (insert activity) for (insert minutes) minutes at (insert time) on (insert days of the week).\u201d Make sure your commitment is realistic and considerate of your current responsibilities. It\u2019s better to start small and continually show up. More on this here<\/a>.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Now, this is a great starting spot, but if you\u2019re looking to make substantial physical changes, you will need to ensure the intensity and structure<\/a> of your activity matches your intended outcome. After you\u2019ve successfully committed to some form of physical activity for three consecutive weeks, start doing some light research (10 minutes each day) to educate yourself on resistance training (recommended 2-3x per week for the average adult) and slowly integrate resistance training into your routine. Mastering the basics of bodyweight movement is a great place to start if you don\u2019t have access to a gym. If you want to go to a gym but don\u2019t understand how to lift weights in a way that is conducive to your fitness goal, this is a great time to consider instructor-led group fitness classes or hiring a coach to design your training program and coach you through it in either private or small-group training formats.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in the Lehigh Valley and looking for coaches who will build a program to help you build muscle and lose fat, book a free intro call with us here<\/a>. We\u2019d be happy to partner with you on your fitness journey! No prior training experience is needed![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”3%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cBut Coach! What about nutrition?\u201d” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Great question! Before you start intermittent fasting or \u201cgoing keto\u201d because that worked for your friend Jimmy (or Jenna), you must take an honest look at your current eating habits. Some simple questions to ask yourself are:<\/p>\n