As we begin another week filled with goals of all we hope to accomplish in the next seven days, we thought a little inspiration would help start us off on the right foot. Envision success this week — in your work, in your workouts, in your laughter, in your life — and you’re already halfway there!

Here’s to an amazing week. Go. Get. ‘Em!
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I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years, and have seen two distinct groups of people who I work with. The already fit, who get fitter, and those that feel that they are too unfit to get fit.

I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I have been that person who is ridiculously in shape – and to me it was at the cost of having no life whatsoever outside of the gym. I have also been 50lbs overweight where even the thought of stepping into a gym was overwhelming and also the least appealing idea that I could think of.

Here is the deal. If you are in that place of feeling just so overwhelmed at the thought of entering a gym – here is the great news – you don’t have to. There are so many ways for you to safely begin to move towards “feeling” stronger and healthier without stepping into a gym. You can build up your confidence at home in the safety and familiar surroundings of your living room. You also get to avoid driving in traffic and waiting in line for machines at the gym. But if you are ready to step into the gym for the first time, or perhaps after being away for a while, here are some tips to help you through that first day.

1. Know you are not alone in how you feel.
2. Remember no-one is looking at you. I know it can feel as though everyone is judging you, but the reality is that most people are too busy judging themselves to even notice – sad but true.
3. Never forget that it’s more than likely that you have not failed at fitness, rather fitness has failed you.  Be sure that the gym or facility where you are intending to work out has classes suited to your needs – it should NOT be the other way around.
4. Go with a buddy – a support system is always helpful plus it is always a great idea when starting out to have someone else to be accountable to. Strange but true, we often will show up on a much more regular basis if we have a workout buddy. Be sure your partner has similar fitness goals as having the same level of fitness is also a good idea.
5. Find a gym that offers shorter / express classes. Also look for a fitness schedule that offers the types of classes that appeal to you. Do you like to dance? Are you more of a weekend (or monthly) warrior? What is the best time for you to fit a workout into your day?
6. Put on an outfit that you feel good in. Try and find one thing of color to spice up the black (yes I have been there too, remember!) even if it’s just the logo on your shoes.
7. Get recommendations from your friends on teachers and trainers who they like. Spend your time researching the classes and personal trainers. Most gyms offer a one-week trial – if they don’t you are at the wrong facility.

You have heard many times that “The journey begins with a single step.” This is also true of the journey towards creating a strong and vibrant body that will be able to support you in living a life that you deserve. This may feel like one of the hardest steps you will ever take but trust me – it will be the one that reaps the greatest rewards.

Are you still wondering what FitnessGlo is all about? If you live locally in Santa Monica, your experience of FitnessGlo (free classes, from amazing instructors, for anyone who is intimidated by gyms or has never spent much time exercising) is different than those taking our fitness classes online all over the world.

Lori Corbin from ABC 7 News highlighted both aspects of FitnessGlo this morning and we wanted to share. Play the video above or visit their site for additional coverage.

Here are a few quotes from our amazing FitnessGlo instructors:

“It’s really about getting those folks that think that fitness might not be for them or the gym’s not for them or it might be a little intimidating. We put classes out there that are doable..” – from Amy Dixon

“It’s free and it’s in a beautiful studio. What’s the catch? There is no catch. The catch is we just want you to show up and be part of this incredible community…” – from Petra Kolber

Whether you come to classes at the studio or start your exercise journey with us online, we look forward to Glo-ing with you very soon!

It’s the beginning of a new week! This is the perfect time to commit to exercise this week and to finding time to focus on you and the wonderful feeling of moving.

FitnessGlo teacher Petra Kolber shares her thoughts today on how daunting it can be to begin or restart an exercise program, how damaging negative self talk is, and offers insight into how we can all restart together this week…five minutes at a time:

I have been moving for as long as I can remember. I was a dancer for many years and then fell into fitness. Well, basically made a dramatic and fast career shift after my first dance audition on Broadway. Hmmmmm – not quite as good as I thought I was.

With all my years of being in dance and fitness I still have had times when I fell away from my regular routine. Sometimes it was for a week, sometimes a month and occasionally it was for longer period of time. Right now as I sit and write this I have been off my regular routine for almost 3 months. I moved across country in December and in between getting settled and my travels with my work I have not been in my regular workout routine for quite a while. The reason I am sharing this is that I do understand how challenging it is to begin, or restart an exercise program. I know it may seem crazy as I actually do this for a living. The fact that people “expect” me to be living a fit lifestyle 365 days a year also contributes to the guilt, the internal beating myself up for “not being perfect” not having the “willpower” etc. and all the other mental chatter that comes along with the negative self talk. I get it – I go through it – I understand it. But the bottom line is (and sometimes my bottom does get bigger) it doesn’t serve me in the slightest.

What happens for me is a disconnect between what I do and how I feel. Simply stated, when I move more, I just FEEL better, happier, more alert, more focused and have more energy. It is NOT about numbers – the size of my jeans, the number on the scale – trust me I’ve played those number games and there is no way to ever win that one.

So if you are in that place where it just may seem too much to add another thing into your day, know I am with you. We here at FitnessGlo appreciate you and together, let’s begin by taking 5 minutes today to get up and get moving.

The sun is out today and it feels like spring, so I think I am going to take a walk into town and explore the area where I now live. Are you ready? 5 minutes – let’s do this. Time to get started.

Let’s do this, indeed! See you on the FitnessGlo site this week or on roads and treadmills and parkways all over the world as we commit to each other to move this week.