We all have days when we’d rather skip the gym or avoid moving altogether.
Believe me, I get it!
After 36 years of working out, there are plenty of days I don’t feel like doing it. But here's what I've learned: showing up is everything.
A friend recently told me how hard it was to stay consistent with exercise while traveling for work. I suggested starting small—just 30 glute bridges each morning after getting out of bed - which takes less than 3 minutes. He thought it sounded too simple to matter, but I explained it’s not about the exercise itself. It’s about creating the habit of doing something. A small, intentional action sets the tone for bigger changes down the road. I rely on this mindset, too! On days when motivation is low (yes, that happens to coaches, too!) I tell myself, “Just do the warm-up. Then you can leave.”
You know what’s funny? In 36 years, I’ve never left after warming up. Once I show up, the workout always gets done. It might not be my best effort, but I always feel better afterward.
The truth is, it’s not the workouts where you hit personal records that change your life. It’s the ones where you didn’t feel like going but showed up anyway. That’s consistency. And consistency is what amplifies results over time. In my experience, workouts follow the rule of thirds:
1/3 will feel amazing.
1/3 will feel just okay.
1/3 will be a struggle.
(BTW, this is quite typical when we go after any big goal!)
But the common denominator? You showed up. And that’s what matters.
So next time you’re tempted to skip, remind yourself that even a small step keeps the momentum going. You’re one action closer to your goals.
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