if you’re just starting on your fitness journey—or you’ve tried a few times and fallen off the wagon—i want you to know something first: you’re not alone.
we live in a world that glorifies extremes. extreme workouts. extreme diets. extreme before-and-after photos. it’s easy to believe that you have to go all-in to make any real progress. but the truth? the biggest changes often come from the smallest, most consistent actions.
Why starting small works
one of the most common mistakes I see (and have made myself) is trying to do everything all at once. we get inspired, set huge goals, and dive in headfirst—only to burn out two weeks later.
but building a strong, healthy lifestyle is like building a house. if the foundation is shaky, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the top floors are. and that foundation is built on routine, not intensity.
if you’re new, don’t worry about hitting the perfect workout. focus on just showing up. if you’re busy, tired, or out of shape—it’s okay. what matters is building the habit of movement into your week. not the perfect program. not how heavy you’re lifting. just the act of committing to yourself.
The power of habit-stacking
one trick that works well, especially if you’re busy, is something called habit-stacking. it means attaching your new habit (like working out) to something you already do daily.
for example:
•after your morning coffee, do a five-minute stretch
•before you shower at night, do 10 air squats
•after dropping the kids at school, walk for 15 minutes
it doesn’t need to be flashy. it shouldn’t be. it just needs to fit into your life in a way that feels doable.
the magic comes from repeating it enough times that it becomes automatic.
A story about small steps leading to big wins
I once worked with a client who had tried everything—boot camps, personal trainers, extreme dieting—but nothing stuck. She told me she always started strong, but then life would get in the way and she’d lose momentum. sound familiar?
so we did something different. we didn’t start with a gym routine. we started by showing up to the gym three times a week for just 20 minutes. even if she didn’t feel like it, she came. even if she only walked or stretched, she came.
after a month, those 20-minute sessions turned into 30. then 40. eventually, she was crushing full workouts, but more importantly—she felt proud of herself. she trusted herself again. and she hasn’t stopped since.
You don’t need to do everything—you just need to start
this week, I challenge you to pick one small habit you can stick to. not something that feels impressive—something that feels easy. something you can repeat no matter how tired busy or unmotivated you are.
remember, it’s not about how hard you go. it’s about how often you show up.
you can always go harder later. right now, go consistent.
We’re building the foundation—together
this journey isn’t a sprint. it’s not even a marathon. it’s a lifestyle. and the fact that you’re reading this means you’re already on the path. I’m proud of you for that.
stick around. let’s build something sustainable, one small step at a time.
-Yann-
