Mustering Up Courage to Get Started

June 20, 2022

Written By: Jackie, General ManagerMustering up the courage to get started at something new can be a scary thing for many. Let’s take going to the gym as an example, and this may sound all to familiar:

You just worked up the nerve to book an appointment at the gym to talk to someone about what it is that you may be looking for. You show up for that appointment and begin to dive a little deeper as to why it is that you want to start at a gym. You begin to realize, through conversation, that you want to feel better and you want to have more energy to play with your kids and keep up with others. If you lose weight, bonus, but that is not your main focus today. Ok, the first hard part is done!

You book an OnRamp session with your gym and you are paired up with a coach that will support you during these 6 sessions. The OnRamp session will allow you to learn about correct form, functional movements, how to safely use barbell techniques, and how to get the most out of your session. During these sessions, your coach will also get to know you and how you move. Bonus, because you really feel like you don’t know what you are doing! On to the next!

You have now completed the OnRamp program and are ready to hit the ground running with enthusiasm. You either choose to continue working 1:1 with your coach for PT sessions or you are ready to join in on group classes because that atmosphere is more your style. You have started to book your classes and you are ready to continue on your journey and your first session is tomorrow morning. 

Insert the nervousness, anxiety, excuses, whatever you want to call it about attending your first class post OnRamp. You end up canceling tomorrow’s class and tell yourself that you will go the next day. You just need one more day to get going!

What happens between the OnRamp and getting into your first class is no different then when you gathered up the courage to book that initial appointment! All those feelings are starting to flood back and you are having a hard time mustering up the courage to show up!
 

Remember, the hardest part is actually showing up! 


Here are some ideas you can use to overcome some of the feelings so you can be successful in your first class:

Look over your workout before you go or have your coach send it to you if it helps.

Remember how difficult it was to start and that you actually did that already! You already started to show up for yourself! Be proud of that!

If you are doing 1:1 PT sessions, book a time where there will be less people until you feel more confident;

If you are attending group classes, know that your coach will walk you through each movement and give you plenty of options. Remember, every single person in the group class also started with the same feelings you currently have.

Do not be afraid to reach out to your coach if you have any questions at any time!


Sometimes we feel like we will be judged by others or have a fear of failing! Regardless of what it is, we have to be able to overcome this and step outside of our comfort zone. There will be some trial and error but eventually you will learn so much more about yourself in the long run.

Helping you approach some of these hesitations or fears is what we are here to help you through at Degree Fitness. Start by booking a No Sweat Intro information session where a coach will sit down with you to discuss your reasons for starting!

Helping you find a program that works best for you is what our trained coaches are here to help you with! Click HERE or email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com to get started!! 

Embrace where you are today! It takes bravery to step forward and take control of your health!

5 Ways To Get Back On Track This Fall!

September 10, 2025
Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian For many of us, fall brings a return to routine and a change in schedule. Maybe you have kids heading back to school, or maybe you have a more consistent work schedule after a summer of fun plans. Or maybe that old back-to-school energy just has you wanting to set some goals. Whatever it is, fall is the perfect time to get back on track with your fitness and nutrition goals! Check out these 5 ways you can work on getting back on track this fall! 1. Make sure you're drinking your water! Drinking enough water is a small step in the right direction. If you've had a busy summer, maybe hydration hasn't been top of mind! For most normal healthy people, aiming for 2-3L of water a day is a reasonable goal. If you're well below that, try aiming for just one extra glass a day and increasing slowly from there. Bonus: one small healthy change often leads to others. Drinking your water could get the ball rolling! 2. Do some meal planning! Meal planning doesn't have to be rigid or complicated. If you're constantly standing in front of the fridge at 6pm wondering what to eat, meal planning can fix that. If you're constantly stuck throwing out random ingredients you didn't know how to finish, meal plannign can fix that. If you bring home groceries but then don't know what to do with it, meal planning can fix that. If you're eating more take out than you'd like because you didn't have a plan, meal planning can fix that. Even thinking a day or two ahead can help you cut the stress at meal time! 3. Get realistic about what you can manage! Before you start overhauling everything, take a second to look at what this season really looks like for you, and what kind of health and fitness goals could be achievable. Maybe a return to routine means you can workout every day of the week now - fantastic! Maybe a change in routine means you need to explore different times to get to the gym and other ways of moving your body - also fantastic! Maybe you're home more this fall and will be cooking more - amazing! Maybe you're going to be busier and need to expore quick and healthy meal ideas - also amazing! Figuring out how to match your goals to your real life right now is key to actually making changes that stick. 4. Shop your kitchen! If your summer was busy, it's time to take stock of what's in your kitchen. Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry cupboards. Is there anything that should be used up that you can plan meals around in the next couple weeks? Are there staple items you count on for easy meals that you need to restock? Could you cut your grocery spending down for a week or two by trying to use what you have so nothing goes to waste? If you have the time for it, this is the perfect time to take stock of what you have and make the most of it! 5. Book a check-in or ask for help! Sometimes we just don't know where to start or what to do. Sometimes we're so busy living our lives that it's hard to see possible solutions to our health and fitness struggles. That's when it's time to ask for help. This might mean asking a friend for meal planning ideas or to set a regular time to go for a walk. It also might mean booking a No Sweat Intro at Degree to learn more about programs, checking in with your coach if you're feeling like something needs to change, or meeting with a Registered Dietitian to set some nutrition goals that will work for you in this season. There's nothing wrong with needing a bit of help! Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more information about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!

The Importance of Showing Up For Yourself

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

How To Make Your Workouts Stick

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!