What 3 Years of Working Out Taught Me

I remember when I first started working out. I was lying down, doing crunches. That was my beginning.

“So, what’s next?” I asked myself, wondering what exercise to do next.

I had no idea. So, I jumped on YouTube, searching for inspiration. It was too easy—just pick a video and follow along. But now, I can craft my own workouts. And it took me months to get there.

In my last blog, I shared how you can start working out easily. But once it becomes a habit, you start seeing things differently. Instead of following YouTube workouts, you want to create your own program. You want to learn an exercise—push-ups, for example. But how? That’s when theory comes into play.

You start researching how to do push-ups properly. Sometimes, it takes way longer than expected. And even today, I’m still learning. I still make mistakes. And yes, I still use YouTube—for inspiration (and, of course, for "Shorts" research).

Welcome to My Workout Method. Feel free to leave a comment and subscribe if you can relate.

The Pros and Cons of Working Out

You saw this coming. Now you’re probably thinking, "How could she skip the pros and cons? It's so obvious!"

Pros:

✓ Better physique. The reason number one I started my workout.

✓ Discipline. Regular exercise builds self-discipline.

✓ Confidence boost. In some cases, working out improves self-confidence.

✓ Increased appetite. This one's funny—regular exercise makes you hungrier! (And eating is one of my favorite parts of the day.)

Cons:

✓ Overeating. More hunger can lead to eating too much, so you have to control your portions.

✓ Dietary adjustments. Your diet should align with your goals. Gaining muscle requires a different approach than losing weight.

✓ Equipment needs. Sometimes, you need more than just your body weight.

✓ Injury risks. Overtraining or improper form can lead to injuries.

Of course, there are many other pros and cons backed by science. You can do a quick Google search if you're curious.

When is the Best Time to Work Out?

Whenever you have the fewest distractions.

I’ve tried different schedules—morning and evening workouts. But I always ended up abandoning the evening sessions. By that time, I had too much to do, or I was simply exhausted. Sometimes, I even forgot about it.

But that’s okay. You can fit your workout into your day, no matter the time. The most important thing is finding a schedule that works for you.

Advice from My Journey

✔ Be patient. "Is that a skill?" you might ask. Yes, it is. Sometimes, it feels like you’re not making progress. I remember when I injured both of my wrists while learning the frog stand. When I finally did it, I was so excited I couldn’t wait for my next session to try again.

✔ Let your body rest. This is one of the best tips I can give. You don’t need to sweat every day. You don’t need to do the same exercises daily to progress faster. I know you think, "The more I practice, the better I get." But your body also needs time to recover. Make sure to include rest days in your workout routine.

✔ Warm up before and cool down after your workout. A proper warm-up reduces the risk of injury, and a cool-down helps your body relax after exercising.

✔ Keep learning. Do research. Add music to your workouts if you want. Learn new skills—like push-ups!

✔ Listen to your body. If you’re feeling unwell or in pain, don’t force yourself to work out.

I know I mentioned push-ups twice, but I love them!

I hope you enjoyed reading this. If any of this helped you, let me know in the comments. Subscribe for more insights like this.

And if you want something that keeps you motivated every day, check out my 20 Affirmation Cards for Women in Fitness.

They’re perfect reminders to stay strong, confident, and consistent on your journey — whether you’re just starting or already crushing your goals.

Enjoy your workout, and I wish you all the best! 💪✨