September's settling in and you're finally finding your rhythm. Your morning routine is locked in, you're back to meal planning, but there's one piece still missing: consistent movement that actually energizes you instead of exhausting you.

Here's what nobody tells you about getting back into exercise: your energy levels determine your success more than motivation does. When you're running on empty, even a 20-minute workout feels impossible. But when you have steady energy, movement becomes something you crave, not something you force.

Speaking of sustainable energy: I'm opening registration for my 30-Day Energy Reset next week - for people who want to wake up naturally energized and have the stamina for everything they love doing. Newsletter readers get first access. Join the waitlist

The biggest exercise mistake? Waiting for the perfect 60-minute window. Your body needs regular movement more than extended workouts.

The 10-Minute Rule: Commit to just 10 minutes. That's it. Most days you'll keep going once you start, but if you don't, you still moved your body and raised your heart rate. Success builds on success.

Heart-Pumping Hacks for Real Life:

Quick Energy Boosts (5-10 minutes):

Getting Back Into It (20-45 minutes):

The Habit Stack: Link exercise to something you already do consistently. "While brushing my teeth in the morning, I do balance exercises on one foot."

This Week's Challenge: Pick one 10-minute movement window and do it for 5 days straight. Notice how it changes your energy for the rest of the day.

Movement doesn't need a gym membership (though gyms can offer great consistency and community if that works for you). It just needs to happen consistently.

Eating right before exercise is tricky. Too much and you feel sluggish. Too little and you crash halfway through.

The Golden Combo: A small amount of easily digestible carbs plus a tiny bit of protein, eaten 30-60 minutes before moving.

Energy-Sustaining Pre-Workout Bites:

What to Avoid: Heavy meals, high-fibre foods, or anything that typically upsets your stomach. Your digestive system competes with your muscles for energy.

Post-Workout Recovery: Within 30 minutes, eat protein and carbs together to help your muscles recover and maintain steady blood sugar. Think chocolate milk, apple with cheese, or a smoothie with protein powder.

Hydration Hack: Start drinking water 2 hours before exercise, not right before. Sipping consistently prevents the sloshing feeling while keeping you properly hydrated.

The hardest part of exercise isn't the physical effort - it's overcoming the mental resistance. Your brain is wired to conserve energy, so it will always suggest Netflix over movement.

The Pre-Exercise Reset:

Why This Works: You're giving your nervous system transition time instead of forcing it from rest mode to action mode. The visualization creates positive anticipation instead of dread.

Energy Mindset Shift: Instead of "I have to work out," try "I get to move my body" or "I'm choosing energy over exhaustion." Small language changes create big mental shifts.

The 80% Rule: Aim to feel 80% good after exercise, not completely depleted. If you're consistently exhausted after workouts, you're working too hard and your body will start resisting movement.

Remember: The goal is sustainable energy, not perfect performance.

Remember: Your energy levels are not fixed. They respond to how you fuel your body, move it, and manage your stress. Small, consistent actions compound into major changes.

How are you fitting movement into your routine? What's working and what feels impossible? Hit reply - I love hearing about your real-life strategies.