If You’re Waiting to Feel Ready to Show Up, Read This

If you’re trying to “get motivated” before you start moving again, flip it. Start small first. Motivation usually shows up after your body remembers, “Oh yeah… we can do this.”

And I don’t mean go hard. I mean go outside for a few minutes and come back home like a normal person.

Why does it feel so hard to start again?

Because your body isn’t a machine. It responds to what’s happening in your life.

When stress is up, sleep is off, hormones shift, inflammation flares, or your nervous system is running hot, movement can feel like another demand. Even a simple walk can feel like a chore.

That’s not you being lazy. That’s your system trying to conserve and protect.

Here’s the part I’ve seen a thousand times on hikes. The problem isn’t that you can’t do it. The problem is you keep trying to restart at the level you used to be. Your body hears that as pressure.

Pressure makes people disappear.

What does “starting” actually look like right now?

Short. Flat. Easy.

You don’t need a new routine. You need a repeatable moment.

Try this:

• Go outside for 8 to 12 minutes.

• Walk like you’re not training for anything.

• Turn around before you’re tired.

That last part matters. When you stop early on purpose, you’re teaching your body it’s safe to do this again.

Steadiness beats intensity. Every time.

Why does being outside help so fast?

Because it changes your state.

Light. Air. Space. A little forward motion. Your system gets the message, “We’re okay.”

I’ve led thousands of hikes with women who were nervous, overwhelmed, self-conscious, out of practice, or all of the above. Ten minutes in, shoulders drop. Breathing smooths out. Conversation starts. People look more like themselves.

Not because they got fitter in ten minutes. Because their system settled.

Science calls it regulation. Some people call it presence. Either way, it’s the same truth. Your body follows your state.

What’s the one rule that keeps this consistent?

Don’t use your best day as your standard.

Use your average day.

Make the plan so realistic it almost feels silly. That’s how it survives real life.

If your rule is “I go when I feel good,” you’ll skip a lot. If your rule is “I go for a little bit even if I’m not feeling it,” you’ll build actual momentum.

Want support so you don’t do this alone?

Come into FireStarter, my free CCFit community.

It’s for women who want movement to feel doable again, without getting talked down to and without turning it into a whole personality.

Inside you’ll get:

• Simple weekly nudges (short, doable, outside-friendly)

• Community accountability that feels normal and supportive

• Updates on local meetups, walks, and what’s coming next

A simple 7-day restart that won’t take over your life

Pick one option. Do it for a week. That’s it.

Option A: The tiny walk (daily)
Go outside once a day for 8 to 12 minutes.

Option B: The three-times plan
Go outside three times this week. Walk until you feel a little better than when you started. Then stop.

Option C: The bench loop
Walk to a bench, sit for two minutes, walk back. Counts.

Your body doesn’t need drama. It needs repetition without stress.

What if your brain starts running its mouth?

You know the script.

“It’s not enough.”
“You used to do more.”
“Why bother?”

That voice isn’t truth. It’s protection. It’s trying to prevent disappointment.

So don’t argue with it. Just keep the action small and keep the pressure low.

When you move with pressure, your system tightens.
When you move with steadiness, your system softens.

Same walk. Different state. Different experience.

If you’re someone who believes in God or Source, this is one of those moments where you just take the next step and let the rest meet you there.

Q&A

What if I’m exhausted?
Go shorter. Stop sooner. The win is that you went outside, not that you pushed.

What if walking hurts?
Keep it flat and slow. Shorten it. Try a smooth path. If pain is sharp or keeps showing up, get it checked.

What if I don’t even like walking?
Then don’t force yourself to love it. Try a park loop, an easy trail, a different time of day, or a friend. Neutral is a great starting point.

What if I stop again?
Then you restart again. No speeches. No punishment. Just restart.

If you want more structure (and more chances to stay consistent)

If you want consistent events and more built-in support, TrailPass is there when you’re ready. No pressure. Just an open door.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, maybe I could try,” that’s enough for today.

I built CCFit for women who want movement to feel normal again. Not dramatic. Not performative. Just steady and human.

I’m glad you’re here. And I’ll be right alongside you when you’re ready.

– Coree