Lift, Laugh, Love

Let’s be honest: most of us aren’t leaping out of bed at 5:45am, downing green smoothies, and going for a casual jog while the sun rises like we’re starring in some wellness documentary. If you are, I admire your commitment, but if you’re anything like me, you’re hitting snooze twice, pulling on leggings that could pass for pyjamas, and hoping the workout counts even if it’s only twenty minutes. That’s fine. More than fine, actually.

The truth is, fitness doesn’t have to be about punishment or performance. It’s not something you owe because you ate too much pasta or missed a day. Moving your body should feel like care, not control. It should remind you that you’ve been given something worth tending to, not to perfect or flaunt, but to honour. And when you start seeing movement that way, everything softens. It becomes less about getting it “right” and more about showing up.

You don’t need to follow what everyone else is doing. Just because your best friend swears by CrossFit doesn’t mean you need to haul tyres across a car park to prove anything. What works for her might not work for you. Maybe you thrive on a solo walk with a good podcast or stretch quietly in your room while the house is still asleep. Maybe you move best to music, dancing like you’re fifteen again and no one’s watching. There’s no formula, no perfect plan, just consistency that feels human, not forced.

And while we’re here, let’s talk gym clothes. Not because appearance matters most, but because mindset does. Sometimes putting on an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident is the most motivating thing you can do. It’s not about being flashy or trendy, it’s about dressing like someone who takes herself seriously, even when no one’s watching. Modesty, style, and strength can exist in the same outfit. I’ve seen it.

Then there’s the atmosphere. A good playlist? Game changer. Some days you need Beyoncé in your ears telling you to keep going. Other days, silence speaks louder, especially when movement becomes a chance to clear your mind or pray or just be. You don’t always have to hype yourself up. Sometimes, you just need space.

Not every week will look the same. Some days you’ll feel like you’re on top of it all, hitting your targets, drinking water like it’s your side hustle, stretching, sleeping well, thriving. Other days, you’ll stare at your mat, do one half-hearted plank, and call it a day. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human. The real growth is in returning to it, gently and consistently, even when it’s not perfect.

And yes, reward yourself. Not in a shallow, “I earned this cheat meal” way, that language needs to go, but in a way that says, I value myself enough to create rituals of care. A hot shower with your nicest soap. Five minutes of stillness. A slow breakfast. Movement is one piece of your rhythm, not the whole story. Honour it, but don’t let it rule you.

Because in the end, this isn’t about becoming someone else’s version of “that girl.” It’s about becoming a woman who lives with intention. Someone who listens to her body, who chooses consistency over chaos, who doesn’t confuse discipline with shame. You don’t need to be the strongest, the fastest, or the most dedicated, you just need to keep showing up for the life you’ve been entrusted with.

And if that happens to involve leggings, good music, and the occasional imaginary music video moment, so be it. Move with grace. You’ve got this.