When someone embarks on a fitness journey, it’s common for them to quickly search for diet plans and workout plans online. Every social media platform, be it YouTube or Instagram, is full of such suggestions. Some promises for quick results, whether it’s for weight loss, weight gain, strength training, bodybuilding, or whatever. And when the beginner sees the title “Quick results.” Then, without thinking for a second, they start following them blindly.
But when it’s time for the results, they don’t get any positive results; instead, they start to lose their energy levels and feel tired.
This is the difference between following a random routine on your own and starting your fitness journey with the help of a fitness coach.
Being a personal fitness coach at Basics and Beyond fitness and nutrition, I have seen a lot of beginners who start without guidance. This often results in finding themselves in a pile of problems. And here are the most common problems that beginners or people trying to work out on their share:
1. Confusion about where to Start
When beginners start with us, they complain that they have tried many workout routines and diet plans, but can not find any results from them. One of my clients told me his story that he had followed a workout plan from YouTube and a diet plan of his favourite Instagram influencer, but he got no change in his body.
Which is why guidance from a fitness coach becomes more necessary.

Because if one diet plan or workout plan works for a particular person, this doesn’t mean that it will be effective for all. And another thing, consistency also matters because beginners are in the race to get results quicker by hook or crook. Due to this, they follow a little bit of everything that they find on their social media algorithm, but lack consistency.
2. Talked about having Pain and Injury
Many people start their fitness journey without knowing proper exercise techniques, which increases the risk of injury. Online resources can provide exercises, but without guidance from a fitness coach, it is easy to use incorrect posture, breathing, or alignment. And another thing, ego lifting (especially in youngsters), resulting in doing more than their capacity. Over time, poor form not only reduces effectiveness but also causes injuries to the shoulders, back, and knees.
3. Unable to achieve their dream body
In this contemporary period, there are a lot of videos available online where people create their fake transformation videos. Out of which many are photoshopped. Although these look very real and can deceive anyone. And for those who have a fitness goal, it becomes more manipulative for them. They assume unrealistic expectations and wants that the scale should move in the first week of their workout, which is practically not possible. When one starts the fitness journey, firstly, strength gets improved, then energy levels increase, and over time, physical changes start becoming noticeable.
And with a fitness coach, this level of patience and consistency can be maintained. They will motivate you, increase intensity with your capacity, and manage all the health routines according to your needs, because when expectations are unrealistic, then the steady progress also looks meaningless and disappointing.
4. Feeling exhausted and fatigued after Exercise
Although exercise is important for one’s fitness journey. But when beginners start their journey, they focus only on the workout and overlook nutrition. They will spend hours in gyms, but their eating habits will still be the same, irregular, and eat what is quick and convenient to have.
On the other hand, some start to follow very strict diet routines without measuring how many nutrients they are consuming according to their body’s needs. They drastically eliminate calories from their diet, which may look effective at first hand, but never lasts in the long run. As a result, they notice a drop in energy levels, struggle in the recovery phase after workouts, and finally, they completely abandon their so-called diet plan.
5. Incapable of understanding the progress
Most of the beginners measure their progress in only one way, which is by looking at the numbers on the scale. Although the body is indicating, they assume that the scale is telling the whole story. If someone only focuses on the digits of the weighing scale, they will miss the positive improvements. This includes gaining strength, improved endurance, and development in stamina before the major noticeable physical changes.
Without guidance from a fitness coach, beginners may not track the increased capacity, improvement in flexibility, or changes in the body’s composition.
6. Putting in the Effort but Not Seeing the Change
When clients come to us, one of their common complaints is that despite doing everything right, including exercising and dieting, they inexplicably get results that are the exact opposite of their goals. For instance, if they aim to lose weight, they end up gaining it instead. This happens because, in the absence of proper guidance, they attempt various methods without truly understanding their own bodies; consequently, the results they achieve turn out to be completely contrary to their expectations.
However, when you work with a fitness coach, you can focus on these specific aspects and achieve far better results.
Conclusion
At the beginning, every fitness journey is often exciting, but many beginners find that it comes with its own set of problems and challenges. As easy as it appears online, learning where to start, proper exercise techniques, maintaining consistency, and understanding nutrition are not always simple and easy.
Instead of constant guesswork, having a clear plan from a fitness coach can make the fitness journey feel far less overwhelming.
FAQs
Ques. 1. What should I do if I feel confused about which workout routine to follow as a beginner?
Ans: It’s best to start with a simple routine that includes basic strength and mobility exercises rather than trying multiple programs at once. If the confusion continues, guidance from an experienced and certified fitness coach, like ours at Basics and Beyond fitness and nutrition, can help to create a routine suitable for your fitness level.
Ques. 2 . How do I know if my workout intensity is right for me?
Ans: A good workout should feel challenging but still manageable. If you find yourself constantly exhausted or unable to recover, the intensity might be too high. If the workout feels too easy, it may need slight adjustments.
Ques. 3. I exercise regularly but still feel low on energy. Could my diet be the reason?
Ans: Yes, nutrition counseling plays a big role in energy and recovery. Eating balanced meals with enough protein, healthy carbohydrates, and hydration can help support your workouts.
Ques. 4. I’ve been working out for a few weeks, but I don’t see visible results yet. Should I change my routine?
Ans: Not necessarily. Early progress often happens internally through improved strength and stamina before physical changes become noticeable. Staying consistent for a few months usually brings better results.