Taking Ownership of Your Fitness Journey

I played basketball growing up. I started at 8 years old and continued all the way through college. I loved it, and with all the practices, lifts, and games, physical activity and exercise came built into my routine for many years. I have always been someone who has enjoyed being active, so I was glad to participate in all of these requirements. But after years of having my exercise planned for me, learning to take ownership of my own fitness journey was an unexpected challenge.

I started lifting weights in high school and grew to love the experience of challenging my body and mind. This was the first time I really started to experience the growth that comes from being consistent with a program and pushing yourself a little harder each time you step in the gym. I noticed improvements in my strength, endurance, and speed on the court, which was exciting and motivated me to keep going.

From College Athletics to Training on My Own

Going into college, my enthusiasm continued to develop. As a student athlete and Kinesiology major, movement remained a huge part of my routine. Days consisted of classes, practice, and lifting. Every workout was planned for me, and practices and games were scheduled months in advance. Coaches provided direction, and teammates were always there for accountability. Goals were also predetermined to focus on improving certain aspects of performance in order to prepare for each competition. The plan was always there, made for me—all I had to do was show up.

My coursework continued to feed my fascination with fitness, and at this point I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the industry. One of my favorite classes was called Principles of Strength Development. The course material covered the science of how the body responds to strength training. The instructor emphasized that anyone can benefit from consistent training, regardless of age or previous exercise experience. That really stuck with me.

Throughout that semester, the combination of coursework and hands-on experience I got from attending training sessions at the gym she owned helped me decide to obtain a personal training certification.

When my basketball career ended senior year, I was suddenly left without any structure or plan for daily workouts. I had grown so accustomed to having this built out for me that it hadn't even crossed my mind what it may be like without it. It quickly became apparent that I had taken that structure for granted. Now I had no planned workouts, no coaches giving direction, and no teammates to keep me accountable. In addition to the plan and accountability, my fitness had also always been centered around my sport. Without that, I had to consider for the first time what it was that I wanted out of a workout program.

Finding My Why and Redefining Fitness

This experience put me in a position to really reflect on what I wanted moving forward. I asked myself questions like, what am I training for now? What does being “fit” mean to me at this point? What kind of things do I enjoy doing, and what do I want my body to be capable of? As I started to answer these questions for myself, I began to see that fitness could and should now be about what I wanted—building strength, supporting longevity, and feeling confident and capable in my everyday life. Once I had an understanding of my “why,” I was able to take ownership of my journey to achieve it.

The transition out of a very structured fitness regime may be relatable to a lot of former athletes, but the concept of defining your “why” and owning your journey is one that is important for anyone who wants to step into a more intentional and sustainable approach to their health and fitness. We all experience changes—a sport ends, a new job or schedule comes along, life gets busier. Amidst these changes, at some point you have to decide what role fitness is going to play in your life. Why does being strong/healthy matter to you? What do you want to be able to do? How can you create a routine for yourself that you can maintain? Your answers to these questions are one of the first steps you can take toward owning your fitness journey.

For more on building a consistent routine, read How to Stick to Your Fitness Goals.

Helping Others Take Ownership of Their Fitness

Going through that dramatic change in how fitness looked in my life has shaped how I approach coaching today. As a certified personal trainer at Straight Shot Training in Frederick, Maryland, I draw on five years of experience helping clients improve their strength and quality of life. One of my favorite things about coaching is educating people and giving them the tools to build a solid foundation of strength and confidence that benefits them both in and outside of the gym. I believe that these essentials empower individuals to take ownership of their journey and continue investing in themselves, their fitness, and their future.

Learn about our in-person training services and how we help people build sustainable strength.

You can also explore Personal Training vs Group Fitness vs Working Out Alone.