One Year of Fitness: Everything I Learnt (And What I’d Tell You Before You Start)

A year ago I couldn’t lift a 30 kg deadlift. Today my PR is 60 kg. In this video I’m sharing everything I’ve learnt in my first year, so you can start yours with less guesswork. We talk about why I started, what the first few weeks in the gym really feel like, whether you need a trainer, my workout split, what I eat, the supplements I take and why, sleep and recovery, the plateau months, and how this journey changed my mind before it changed my body. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:28 Why I started 03:10 First weeks in the gym 05:44 Do you need a trainer? 07:30 My workout and what I eat 18:14 Blood tests and supplements 21:43 Recovery and sleep 25:32 The plateau months 27:48 Bonus tips 29:52 What changed in my head and what I’d do differently 🩸 Basic blood tests to get done BEFORE you start your fitness journey or buy any supplements Getting tested shows you what’s actually going on in your body, so you supplement based on facts instead of guessing. These are the common ones: CBC (Complete Blood Count): checks hemoglobin and overall blood health, and helps spot anemia. Vitamin D (25-OH): very common to be low, and it affects energy, bones and recovery. Vitamin B12: important for energy and nerve function, especially if you eat little meat or dairy. Iron profile (serum iron, ferritin, TIBC): shows your iron stores, which matter for stamina and fatigue. Thyroid profile (TSH, plus T3/T4 if advised): thyroid issues can affect weight, energy and mood. Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c: shows your blood sugar levels now and over the last 2 to 3 months. Lipid profile: cholesterol and triglycerides, a good heart health baseline. Liver function test (LFT): worth knowing, especially before taking supplements. Kidney function test (creatinine, urea, uric acid): worth checking, especially if you plan to take creatine or increase your protein. Some tests need fasting (usually 8 to 12 hours), so check with the lab when you book. Do this as part of an annual check-up and show the reports to your doctor, who can tell you what you need and what you can skip. ⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m sharing my personal experience, not medical advice. Everyone’s body and needs are different, so please consult a doctor before starting any supplement or fitness plan. 🤝 Not sponsored. The products I mention are what worked for me personally. 💬 Got questions about starting your fitness journey? Drop them in the comments and I’ll reply as soon as I can. 👍 If this helped, like, share it with someone who needs a push, and subscribe to StorieswithSaima. Follow me on Instagram for the full fitness series. #FitnessJourney #OneYearFitness #BeginnerFitness #BloodTests #SupplementsGuide #StorieswithSaima