GETTING BACK INTO IT

You don’t realize how much you miss something until you try to start again.

I’ve been around a gym since middle school.. lifting weights, running drills, learning proper form in a weight room before I was even 14. I was a personal trainer for years. I even owned a gym. So this space has never been new to me. But after COVID burnout, launching a new business, moving states, changing careers, and getting extremely sick, I lost any rhythm I had built over the years.

I’ve tried gym after gym, program after program. Nothing clicked.

Until recently.

And I realized something: different seasons require different solutions.

For a long time, I was doing traditional big-box gym workouts. Hour-long strength and cardio sessions. Then I opened my own gym and squeezed in workouts when I could. Then I tried working out at home. Then I got into pilates. Each season looked different, and that’s okay.

When I stepped away from consistency for a while, the effects were real. I was hospitalized. My weight fluctuated 30 pounds in both directions. My joints hurt. My energy was gone. My digestion was off. I felt weak and out of sync with myself. I felt thirty.

And mentally? It was worse. I felt a spark go out. Like I couldn’t figure out what was missing, but I knew something was.

Guilt. Shame. Frustration. Sadness. Laziness. Confusion. I felt all of it.

But something started to shift at the end of 2024.

My spiritual life had transformed between 2023 and 2024. I found a real relationship with God. My purpose changed. I felt clarity and peace in ways I hadn’t before. And once I felt grounded again mentally and spiritually, I knew I was ready to heal physically.

So I started small. I signed up for ClassPass (highly recommend if you’re not sure what you like or want to try something new). I used the free month, then committed to $80/month for six months. I bounced between spin, pilates, and strength classes at local gyms. I only went 2–3 times a week and focused on getting my steps in the other days. It wasn’t about losing weight. It was about enjoying movement again. Finding routine. Having fun.

That lit the fire.

Recently, a gym opened up close to our house. Group fitness. Strength and conditioning. Michael and I tried the free week and loved it. It’s exactly what we need right now. Consistency. Accountability. Variety. A little competition. But not so intense that we burn out.

What I’ve learned is that identity matters more than motivation. I don’t feel like I’m “trying to work out”. I’ve become someone who values movement again. I’m not forcing myself to love it - I genuinely do. I love showing up, not having to plan the workout, turning my trainer brain off, and just giving it my all.

So, If You're Starting Again...

First, I see you.

Whether you’ve never had a routine, just had a baby, started a new job, moved cities, or life has just been chaotic... I get it. You’re not behind.

You’re human. But the longer you wait, the harder it gets.

Start today. Not Monday. Not next month. Today.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

1. Find what you actually enjoy

Do you like pushing yourself and sweating it out? Do you prefer zoning out with music? Do you love classes, or would you rather be alone in the gym? Do you want to swim, bike, lift, walk, dance?

And if you don’t know, try EVERYTHING. ClassPass was such a gift because it gave me variety without pressure. Just experiment until something clicks. Health is just one of the most important things in our lives. It’s worth taking the time to “figure it out”.

2. Commit to three days

Start with Monday, Wednesday, Friday. End and begin your week on a win.

Once you nail that consistently, we can adjust from there.

3. Understand your body (and life) have changed

You’re not in high school. Or even college. You’re in your 30s now. That means things are going to feel different. Soreness is normal. Interruptions will happen. But we expect those now. The point isn’t perfection - it’s persistence.

4. Have a little fun

This can still be enjoyable. I know crazy concept right?!

For me? A cute water bottle and a good pair of leggings are small things that make a difference. My current go-to: HydroJug and BuffBunny Legacy Leggings. Lightweight. Stay in place. Comfy. And yes, they make your butt look good.

There will still be days you miss a workout. You’ll be tired. Life will happen. That’s okay.

Reschedule it. Do it later. Go Saturday instead. This is a life-long journey, not a punishment.

5. Know your strengths and struggles

I love intensity, sweating, competing. I don’t love working out at home. I’m already home most of the day and getting out refreshes me. I’m not a huge fan of long runs either.

Your list may look different. That’s the point.

Make it work for you, not against you.

Working out will make you stronger, yes. But it also makes you feel more like you.

Mentally, emotionally, long-term. It will pay off.

Find 30 minutes a day for yourself. Your body will thank you now.

Your 70-year-old self will thank you even more.

Let’s go.

- Nicole 🖤

Drop a comment below: how are you going to start moving your body?