It’s a battle that starts every night and continues into the morning—the part of me that dreams big versus the part that clings to comfort.
At night, I’m a vision board. I see myself lacing up early, gliding through miles, chasing endorphins and discipline like they’re inevitable. But when morning comes, that version of me is nowhere to be found. The bed is warm, the excuses louder. The war begins not with the run, but with getting out the door.
In those moments, I remind myself: the body often has its own plans. Sometimes the real victory is just getting started.
Every day brings a new obstacle—weather, mood, scheduling curveballs, or just that heavy mental fog. I used to treat these as failures. Now, I see them as part of the plan. Having a loose game plan is how I stay in motion. Maybe I run first thing. Maybe I walk at sunset. Maybe I read instead and recover. The win isn’t in checking a box—it’s in keeping the rhythm alive.
Goals keep you grounded. Flexibility keeps you moving forward.
It’s like approaching each day with a blank canvas—but one you’re still committed to painting. You don’t have to know exactly what the masterpiece looks like, just that it’s worth showing up for.
The Ice Cube Principle
Before you even lace up, how you feel can set the tone—but it doesn’t always predict the outcome.
Think of an ice cube melting on aluminum. It melts faster than on wood or plastic. Why? Because aluminum is a better conductor—it transfers energy more efficiently. The surface doesn’t feel hotter, but the cube still melts faster.
Our bodies work the same way.
You might not feel “hot,” or ready to move, but once you start—even a short walk, even just changing into your workout clothes—you start transferring energy. Your system wakes up. You gain momentum. Suddenly, you’re not just melting resistance, you’re moving forward.
Science backs this. Physical activity—even low intensity—stimulates dopamine and endorphin release. These are natural mood elevators. But here’s the kicker: even if it’s a placebo effect - It’s still real if it helps. If tying your shoes cues your brain that movement is coming and sparks energy—who cares why it works?
Placebo isn’t failure—it’s proof that belief is powerful.
Challenging the Myth of Motivation
We’ve been sold this idea that motivation is the spark that gets you going. But more often, it’s the result of movement, not the cause.
When you move, your brain and body sync up. You build a feedback loop: effort → progress → confidence → more effort. Some days, your body needs a full run. Other days, it just needs to know you showed up for yourself.
I’ve had runs that started on fumes but finished in flight. I’ve melted doubt with movement more times than I can count.
So why write this? Why keep going?
Because maybe you’ve felt this, too.
Maybe you’ve made those big nighttime promises and woken up to the same comfort cravings. Maybe you’re tired of hearing “just be consistent” without being told how. Maybe you want someone to admit that some days feel like dragging an anchor—and that you can still move forward anyway.
This isn’t about a perfect plan. It’s about momentum. About putting down the all-or-nothing mindset and replacing it with “just start.” One step. One rep. One win.
And if that sounds simple—it’s because it is.
Not easy. But simple.
And day by day, you start to trust yourself again. You stop waiting to feel ready. You show up because it matters, because you matter.
And eventually, you realize:
You’re not working out with your worst enemy.
You’re learning to turn them into your ally.
Follow my journey on Strava https://strava.app.link/J7o6w07QYRb
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