September is one of those times of year when we’ll typically see a few new faces at the gym.

Summer is over, the kids are back in school, work schedules are back to normal.

Yet many people feel anxious about starting – or restarting – a fitness program.

I get it … it can be intimidating.

Maybe they’ve been out of a routine for a few months … or even a few years … and aren’t sure how to get started.

Maybe they’re not sure they’ll be able to keep up.

Maybe they’ve gone to a big corporate gym or large-group studio in the past and gotten injured … and they’re anxious about that happening again.

Which brings me to what I’d like to say about feeling anxious.

Let me preface it with this: Of course, medically diagnosed anxiety and depression are very real and should be treated seriously. 

But for the majority of us, feeling anxious isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

In fact … if you’re not feeling anxious, you’re missing out.

If you’re not feeling anxious, chances are you’re stuck in your comfort zone.

And no change, growth or improvement can happen if you stay in your comfort zone.

So, if you’re feeling anxious about starting or resuming your fitness program after the summer, realize that A) you’re not alone , and B) you’re feeling anxious because you’ve made a decision to push yourself outside your comfort zone and toward a better version of yourself.

Embrace those butterflies in your stomach and turn feeling anxious into momentum that will propel you forward.

-Coach Aaron Hines-