Why Finding Movement You Love is The Key To Success In The Gym
Whether you’re a die-hard HIIT fan, ultra-marathoner, or dedicated Pilates- and yoga-girlie, I wholeheartedly believe that there is a workout out there for everyone. It may
sound obvious, but the key to staying motivated and achieving success in the gym is finding movement that you truly love and genuinely look forward to doing. When you find forms of exercise that you deeply enjoy, making time to move your body daily becomes effortless. Seriously – that’s more than half the battle. When movement is something you truly enjoy, it naturally becomes a core part of your routine. So much so that when life throws a curveball—like a long travel day with unexpected delays, a work event that runs late, or a sick child at home—you might find yourself feeling restless, irritable, or simply out of sync without it.
So, how do you find the movement your body truly loves and craves? I believe we've overcomplicated fitness—it's one of the areas where we've pushed things to unnecessary extremes. The first step to discovering exercise you genuinely enjoy is to experiment. Try different workouts—go for a run or walk, take that group fitness class you’ve been curious about, check out the hot yoga studio you always pass on your way to work, or test out the home workout app your bestie won’t stop raving about.
Then, take inventory of your experience! After each workout, jot down how it made you feel. Were you counting down the minutes, waiting for it to be over? Or did you feel strong, energized, and focused throughout? If you were counting down the minutes until it ended, that’s a sign that’s probably not your go-to workout and that’s ok. There are countless ways to move our bodies—so why do we so often choose workouts that feel like punishment rather than nourishment? Instead of breaking ourselves down, we could be building ourselves up with movement that strengthens, energizes, and truly fuels us.
For years, I pushed myself through intense, high-impact workouts daily, convinced that if I wasn’t drenched in sweat, completely exhausted, and super sore afterward, it didn’t count. Not only that, but I’d have severe anxiety just thinking about skipping a workout and would go day after day without mixing in a rest day, refusing to admit that I was running my body into the ground.
Eventually, I learned that constantly pushing my body to its limits wasn’t a sign of dedication—it was a recipe for burnout. Daily high-intensity workouts can be counterproductive because they put excessive stress on the body, leading to increased cortisol levels (the stress hormone!), chronic fatigue, and a higher risk of injury. Without proper recovery, the body doesn’t have time to repair those muscles you’re breaking down and grow stronger, which can actually stall progress rather than accelerate it. Over time, I realized that balance—incorporating rest days, lower-intensity movement like yoga and pilates, and listening to my body—was the key to long-term strength and sustainability. In short, I had to slow down.
And it wasn’t just about my workouts—this constant state of stress was affecting my entire well-being. Cortisol—the infamous stress hormone—has been a hot topic in the wellness world lately, and for good reason. More people are waking up to the undeniable connection between chronic stress and long-term health issues. Simply put, stress is at the root of almost every illness and disease—I cannot emphasize this enough. So, how do we keep cortisol in check? And what are the key signs that your body is craving more support?
Elevated cortisol can manifest in physical, emotional, and behavioral ways. Some signs and symptoms include:
Physical:
Persistent fatigue: feeling exhausted despite getting a full night’s sleep.
Disrupted sleep: difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night, particularly between 2-4am.
Increased belly fat: cortisol is linked to fat storage, especially around the belly.
Frequent illness: stress suppresses the immune system, making you more prone to colds and infections.
Muscle weakness and loss: high cortisol can actually break down muscle tissue, preventing the results you’re seeking in the gym.
Digestive issues: bloating, stomach pain, acid reflux, and changes in bowel movements.
Cravings for sugar: high cortisol increases ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and cravings for sugary foods.
Mental/Emotional:
Headaches and brain fog: tension headaches, mental sluggishness, and trouble concentrating.
Increased anxiety and overthinking: excess cortisol heightens the brain’s fear response, making you more prone to anxious thoughts and constant worry.
Depression and mood swings: unstable emotions, irritability, and feeling down.
Behavioral:
Overtraining without results: working out hard but seeing no progress or even regression in the gym.
Dependence on caffeine or stimulants: feeling like you need coffee or pre-workout just to function.
Difficulty winding down: always feeling “on”, in fight-or-flight, and struggling to relax.
Some Practical Tips for Managing Cortisol:
Prioritizing quality sleep: 7-9 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep per night
Incorporating mindfulness practices: meditation, deep breathing, journaling, etc.
Fueling with nutrient-dense foods: eating the rainbow full of whole foods to support hormone balance
Getting outside daily: sunlight and fresh air are incredibly healing (and free!)
Setting boundaries: saying no, being unavailable, putting your devices on DND, etc. to reduce emotional and mental stress
So, what’s your body telling you? If you’ve been feeling exhausted, sore, or burnt out, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your approach. Try mixing in a rest day, swapping a high-intensity session for a yoga class, or simply tuning in and listening to what your body needs at the moment.
At the end of the day, fitness should empower you—not exhaust you. Whether you thrive on high-intensity workouts or find joy in slower, more intentional movement, the key is to listen to your body and honor what it needs on any given day. The goal isn’t to work harder—it’s to work smarter and build a sustainable routine that makes you feel strong, energized, and joyful in both your mind and body.
All my love,
Rach
