Have you ever started the year feeling super motivated about working out…
only to fall off a few weeks later?
Maybe life got busy.
Maybe your energy dipped.
Maybe you missed a few days and thought, “Well… I already messed up.”
If that sounds familiar, you are not behind.
You’re human.
And here’s the good news:
You don’t need a brand-new plan.
You just need a simpler one.
This post was inspired by my clients — and honestly, myself too — because even as a dietitian and trainer, I still have to “restart” sometimes.
Starting over isn’t failure.
It’s normal.
And today, I’m sharing exactly how to do it in a way that actually sticks.
Stop forcing workouts you hate
One of the biggest mistakes I see?
People trying to force themselves into workouts they dread.
If you hate it… you won’t keep doing it. Period.
Recently, a client told me:
“I started doing Tae Bo again — I haven’t done it in 10 years and I LOVE it.”
Another said:
“I finally have motivation to go to the gym… there are some cute guys there.” 😂
Listen — whatever gets you there, counts.
And me?
I went back to barre workouts — something I used to do five years ago.
Let me tell you…
I was humbled FAST.
Two-pound weights.
Shaky legs.
Major burn.
But I loved it.
I forgot how strong and energized it makes me feel.
So now I do it a couple times a week — not because I “should,” but because I want to.
👉 That’s the goal.
Find something you enjoy.
Something that feels good after.
Something you’ll actually show up for.
There are no gold stars for misery workouts.
Make starting ridiculously easy
Here’s something that happened just this past weekend.
I felt tired. Crummy. Unmotivated.
The last thing I wanted to do? Exercise.
So instead of planning a 45-minute workout, I told myself:
“Just 10 minutes on the bike.”
That’s it.
Ten minutes.
Guess what happened?
It turned into 20 minutes… plus some core work… and it was EXACTLY what I needed.
But I never would have started if the workout felt big.
Starting is the hardest part.
So make starting stupid easy.
Not:
“I have to crush this workout.”
But:
“I can do 10 minutes.”
Why strength training matters more than ever
If there’s one type of movement I believe every woman should prioritize — especially over 35 — it’s strength training.
Because strength training supports:
✔ Muscle tone
✔ Metabolism
✔ Hormone balance
✔ Bone health
✔ Energy
✔ Confidence
✔ Longevity
It’s not just about looking strong.
It’s about feeling capable in your body for life.
But here’s the key most people miss:
It doesn’t have to be long.
You don’t need an hour.
You don’t need fancy equipment.
You just need consistency.
My simple 10-minute workout plan (that actually works)
If you don’t have a routine right now, I made one for you.
And it’s intentionally simple.
Because simple = sustainable.
The plan:
👉 10 minutes a day
👉 5 days a week
That’s it.
Weekly structure:
- Day 1: Lower body
- Day 2: Upper body
- Day 3: Full body
- Day 4: Core
- Day 5: HIIT or cardio
Short. Focused. Done.
If you want to add a walk or extra movement? Great.
But the only requirement is:
10 minutes. More days than not.
Consistency beats intensity every single time.
You probably spend longer scrolling your phone.
(Just saying 😉)
Day 2: Upper body workout
Day 3: Full body workout
Day 4: Core workout
Day 5: Cardio workout
When should you work out?
I often suggest mornings — not because mornings are magical — but because life tends to steal our time later.
Meetings. Kids. Work. Dinner. Exhaustion.
Getting it done early removes the mental debate.
But if mornings don’t work for you?
Do lunch.
After work.
While dinner’s in the oven.
There’s no perfect time.
There’s only the time you actually show up.
Your challenge
Here’s what I want you to try:
For the next 30 days…
Don’t focus on going hard.
Don’t focus on being perfect.
Don’t focus on “starting over Monday.”
Just focus on showing up for 10 minutes.
That’s it.
Because when you build the habit first…
Strength follows.
Confidence follows.
Consistency follows.
And suddenly you’re saying:
“I’m actually crushing my workout goals this year.”
Not because you went extreme.
But because you stayed steady.
Ready to start?
I linked the full 10-minute workout plan with videos in the post below so you can follow along at home.
No gym required.
No complicated schedule.
No pressure.
Just small steps that add up.
You don’t need a new year or a new body.
You just need today.
Start with 10 minutes.
You’ve got this!
