Alright, last time we talked about habits—the good ones, like getting to the gym and working out. Those habits are what shape our lives for the better. We all know they’re choices we make that can take us from where we are now to where we want to be.
But let’s be real for a second: Sometimes, you just don’t feel like it. Trust me, I get it. I’ve been there. There are days when I sitting in my office at the gym, and the last thing I want to do is get out there on the floor and sweat it out. I mean, it’s hard for me to get to the gym – and I own a gym!
But here’s the thing—what I’ve learned is that even when you don’t feel like it, you still gotta show up.
You still gotta do something.
It doesn’t have to be some epic, fire-breathing, sweaty workout every single time. It’s not about killing yourself in the gym or pushing past exhaustion every day. Sometimes, it’s just about getting up. That’s step one.
And then, you move.
Some days, that’s all it is. Just moving. You don’t have to be perfect. It’s about consistency, not perfection. Stretch. Take a long walk. Do a few sit-ups, squats, or stretch out some tight muscles. And you know what? That’s enough. You’re still moving forward.
It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about showing up—especially on the days when you don’t feel like it. That’s when it counts the most.
Now, let me tell you a story about a client of mine. She came in the other day, and you could see it—she was dragging. I could tell right away. She wasn’t feeling it. We all know that feeling when the energy just isn’t there, and you’re fighting every step.
So I asked her, just like I do with every client, “How are you feeling?”
Now, I’m usually pretty good at knowing what the workout will look like before anyone walks in the door. I know the movements, the intensity, what we’re working toward. But that simple question? It’s everything. Because it gives me the chance to adjust.
If she’s not feeling 100%, we modify. If she’s good to go, we ramp things up. But that question? It’s my way of making sure we’re on track. It’s about being flexible. It’s about listening to the body.
And here’s the thing: That’s a big part of building lasting habits. It’s not about sticking to a rigid plan. Building lasting habits is not about saying “I must do 100 setups every day!”
It’s about finding balance and adjusting when you need to. Pushing when you can, easing off when you gotta ease off.
It’s about being real with yourself.
So, when my client said, “I really didn’t want to come here today,” I knew it was time for a change.
Instead of pushing her to hit the weights right away, I said something I never say: “Get on the bike and ride for 20 minutes.” No one would be happy about riding the AirBike for 20 minutes and she was no exception.
She wasn’t happy about it, but she got on
And here’s the thing: after about five minutes, I could see the charms of the AirBike had worn her out. So I asked, “How about some weightlifting? What’s your favorite?”
She paused, then said, “Deadlifts.” And she smiled just a little bit.
Boom! That was the spark she needed. That deadlift was her “comfort food”—her go-to. She had the strength, the confidence, and she was back in the zone, just like that.
That’s the power of finding what you love. Sometimes, when you’re dragging and the motivation just isn’t there, you don’t need to grind through a tough workout. All you need is a little spark—a movement that feels familiar, something you enjoy. Something you are good at.
And once you find that spark, the rest just falls into place.
Later that day, she reached out to thank me for letting her have some “comfort food” for the workout. It wasn’t about pushing her past her limits; it was about meeting her where she was. Giving her something familiar. Something that made her feel better.
Sometimes, that’s all it takes, my friend—just a little bit of comfort when things feel uncomfortable. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just need to move forward, even if it’s a small step.
We all have those days when the last thing we want to do is move, when the fire just isn’t there. But that’s when consistency is your friend. A little bit of comfort. A little bit of movement. And before you know it, you’re back in the game, stronger than ever.
