People ask me, “What should I do to start my fitness journey?”

My answer is: It’s not just about what you do. It’s about who you want to become.

You can start working out.
You can eat more protein.
You can build better habits.

But if you never shift the way you see yourself, those changes can remain temporary. You need an identity shift.

I have seen so many women proudly tell me they lost weight after joining a group class or trying a new diet, only to fall back into past cycles. In these cases, only external habits shifted, identity didn't.

Your identity is your “I am” statements and it shape the choices you keep making.

I am a disciplined person.
I am someone who loves moving my body.
I am someone who knows how to set boundaries.

I am unhinged and unbothered by people’s comments about my goals and dreams for my body and my life.

I love following my schedule.

And none of these identities appear overnight.

You build them through patient experimentation and by collecting evidence that this new way of living actually works for you.

So, let’s say you go to a party and find a table full of ultra-processed food.

You could say, “I’m a foodie. I’ll just eat whatever is there.” And that's who you become.

Or you could say, “I’m someone with long-term goals. I can enjoy a few pieces, or skip them if I genuinely don’t want them.” And that's who you become.

Neither choice makes you a “good” or “bad” person. But every choice gives you a little more evidence of who you are becoming.

Yes, do the exercises. Yes, build the habits. But don't stop there.

Because lasting change isn't just about building a better routine.

It’s about becoming someone who you are proud of.