Starting (Again) is the Hardest Part: How to Ease Fitness Back into Your Routine
We’ve all been there—wanting to start (or restart) a fitness routine but feeling overwhelmed by the idea of fitting it into our already packed schedules. Whether you’ve taken time off due to life’s many responsibilities, an injury, or simply because other priorities took center stage, getting back into a movement routine can feel daunting. The good news? You don’t have to go all in right away. In fact, starting small is the best way to set yourself up for long-term success
The Challenge of Getting Started
The hardest part of any fitness journey is the very first step. There’s often an expectation that we need to dive straight into hour-long workouts, intense gym sessions, or rigorous training plans. But in reality, the key to success is just getting started—no matter how small.
Instead of putting pressure on yourself to carve out an hour every day, consider incorporating fitness into your life in a way that feels manageable and sustainable. The goal is to create a habit, and habits are built through consistency, not intensity.
Start Small, Build Big
One of the easiest ways to reintroduce movement into your life is by committing to just 5-10 minutes of focused activity each day. That’s it! By setting small, attainable goals, you build confidence and momentum, making it easier to grow into something longer and more consistent over time. Here are a few simple ways to start:
Take a Walk – Instead of feeling like you need to run a marathon, begin with a short walk. Take the dog for an extra loop around the block, opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk while listening to your favorite podcast.
Stretch It Out – Set aside just five minutes in the morning or evening to stretch. This helps improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and ease you back into mindful movement.
Light Strength Training – Grab a pair of light weights (or even soup cans!) and do a few reps of bicep curls, shoulder presses, or squats. Even just a few sets will help wake up your muscles and get your body used to movement again.
Mini Workouts – Try breaking up movement into smaller chunks throughout the day. Maybe that’s 10 squats while waiting for your coffee to brew, or a 1-minute plank before bed. It all adds up!
Progress Over Perfection
Remember, the goal is not to be perfect—it’s to be consistent. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s okay. What matters is that you show up in whatever way you can. As you build confidence and routine, those short workouts will naturally evolve into longer sessions, and movement will start feeling like a normal part of your day.
Starting (or restarting) your fitness journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking small, intentional steps, you’ll build strength, confidence, and momentum to keep going. So start today—even if it’s just a few minutes. Your future self will thank you!
