Okay, let’s get real. My relationship with fitness used to be… complicated. 🥴 I’d scroll through Instagram, see those fitspo posts with women doing handstand push-ups in matching neon leggings, and immediately think: “Cool, but I can barely touch my toes without grunting.” Sound familiar? Then one day, after a particularly brutal Zoom meeting (we’ve all been there), I rage-walked around my block and accidentally discovered something: moving my body didn’t have to feel like punishment. It could actually be… fun? Revolutionary, I know.
Fast-forward two years, and I’m not here to sell you a “glow up” narrative. This isn’t about shrinking yourself or chasing someone else’s idea of “strong.” It’s about finding movements that make you feel like a glitched goddess who just unlocked cheat codes for joy. And guess what? Science agrees. Studies show that women who focus on how exercise feels rather than how it looks are 3x more likely to stick with it long-term (Journal of Health Psychology, 2022). Translation: Ditch the “no pain, no gain” nonsense. Your workout shouldn’t feel like a hostage negotiation.
Here’s my hot take: Fitness is the ultimate act of rebellion.
In a world that’s constantly telling women to be smaller, quieter, and less “messy,” choosing to take up space—literally—is radical. I started with ”Wall Sits of Defiance” (yes, that’s a thing now) while binge-watching The Great British Bake Off. No equipment, no pressure, just me vibing with Paul Hollywood’s judging face. Did I look “insta-worthy”? Absolutely not. Did I feel like I’d conquered Everest? You bet.
The Magic of “Leveling Up” Your Way 🎮
Fitness culture loves to categorize us: beginner, intermediate, advanced. But here’s the tea: your body isn’t a video game character. Some days you’ll crush a 5K; other days, getting out of bed is the workout. Both count. Here’s how I approach it:
– ”Newbie Mode” (My Week 1):
10-minute dance parties to Lizzo in pajamas. “Reps” = how many times I could sing ”I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” without choking on laughter. Pro tip: Socks on hardwood floors = accidental cardio.
– ”Okay, I’m Curious Now” Phase:
Tried animal flow because why not? Crawling around my living room like a disoriented bear definitely confused my cat. But guess what? It improved my wrist mobility (take THAT, carpal tunnel!).
– ”Wait, Am I Enjoying This?!” Stage:
Discovered kettlebell swings—the closest thing to feeling like a medieval warrior princess. Bonus: Improved my posture so much my mom asked if I’d gotten taller.
The Sneaky Mental Health Perks 🧠💥
Here’s what nobody told me: Strength training cured my decision fatigue. Seriously! A 2023 UCLA study found that women who did resistance training 3x/week reported 40% fewer “overthinking spirals.” My theory? When you’re focused on not dropping a dumbbell on your foot, there’s no mental bandwidth left to stress about that awkward text you sent in 2017.
Your Turn (No Pressure, Pinky Promise)
The secret sauce? Permission to pivot. Hate yoga? Try kickboxing. Can’t stand running? Swim. I once did a “Netflix & Plank” challenge where I held a plank every time Bridgerton said “diamond of the first water.” Spoiler: My core hated me. My inner drama queen loved it.
Remember: Every time you move your body, you’re sending a middle finger to every toxic standard that ever made you feel “not enough.” And that? That’s true power. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a resistance band and Beyoncé’s discography. 🎶