14 years of working out
13 diet approaches tested out (the ones I could remember)
5 years of trying every exercise class possible (I tried it ALL: spinning, Zumba, barre, cardio classes, kettlebell, TRX, Bootcamp)
1 binge eating disorder (ironic but developed when working with a registered dietician)
2 knees having suffered (and successfully recovered) from an overuse syndrome.

I changed my body and mind completely since then, and replaced old awful eating habits with so many good new ones,

14 courses taken (with so many more to go..I love learning)
275lb squats practiced with ease
chin-ups conquered
up to 15lbs lost in 10-12 weeks working out only 4 hours a week and without cardio.......

Looking back today at the road I walked with my fitness so far, I can't help but think about a list of things that would've saved me time, health troubles, money, effort, and disappointments.

#1. I wish I discovered traditional weight training much sooner.

I love that I can manipulate weights for loosing fat fast, gaining strength, becoming more agile, or heeling my physical imbalances.

I love that I am in charge of my body and can shape any body part to my liking.

I love how empowering it feels to finish a workout or set a personal record, and how fast the results show.

#2. Cardio is a tool to be used wisely .

Even though I was never a cardio 🐰, I wish I knew to keep it only at 15% of my overall training. Cardio is beautiful tool to add to a well-rounded strength training program, but can leave you with more disappointment in terms of body composition goals if overused.

It would've spare me from knee problems, and would've sent me from "skinny fat" to "ripped" category quickly.

#3. Keeping classes for fun and sense-of-community reasons only.

As fun as all generic workout classes were, I had nothing to show for even after spending about 4-6 hours per week hopping around in a steamy room. There were no improvements in my body composition and I didn't perform any better in my daily life. My wallet sure got skinnier, me-- not so much.

#4. Learning optimal form and posture is king.

This one is going to build you or brake you, whether you are exercising at the gym, at home, or in group classes. Sadly, not too many personal trainers stress teaching form and execution while chasing sweat goals.

After I have become a "form and technique dork" me and my clients' gains skyrocketed. This one takes either anatomy studies, or a trustworthy coach.

#5. You don't need to be a gym rat to set records and achieve results.

I remember thinking I was so cool spending two hours if not longer at the gym, lifting, then doing cardio, and then maybe going to a yoga class. Lengthy workouts are one of the biggest misconceptions in fitness. Sadly many shy from stepping into the gym thinking they don't have time for training, while the truth is, you will succeed faster putting more work in, in the least amount of time.

#6. I wish i ate for health and not calories, or another USDA-approved method, and learned how to cook from the very beginning.

Of course there are diets and methods one must know and break out from his/her toolbox from time to time , but starting out the whole journey there, rather than learning food culture and habits, is a big nerve wracking mistake.

#7. Don't covet thy neighbor.

What works for the chick next to me might not work for me. What worked for me 5 years ago, might not work for me today. The tips that a forever-size-0 gives out are not going to work for a struggling-to-eat-an-apple size 10.

While trial and error are definitely our friends here, it is wise to remember how different our body's needs are at different stages of life.

ohhh....and one more..bonus "should've":

I wish I knew that all bodily systems and the we way I go through my daily life are all interrelated and affect one another. My nutrition and training can not have the life of their own, but rather HAVE to fit in with my job, my family, my stress level, lifestyle demands, habits already learned and habits being worked on, the way I poop and the way I sleep, my history and my future potential.