We’ve all been there — staring at the clock during a workout, counting down the minutes, wondering how anyone could possibly enjoy this.
Maybe you’ve told yourself, “I just need more discipline.”
Or maybe you’ve decided, “I guess I’m just not a workout person.”
But what if the problem isn’t you at all?
What if the real issue is that you’ve been chasing the wrong kind of movement?
At Truve in Oakland, we see it every day: busy professionals, parents, and retirees alike walking through our doors, convinced they’ve failed at fitness because they couldn’t stay consistent. But when they start moving in ways that actually feel good — everything changes.
Here’s why finding joy in movement is so powerful, why so many people struggle to stay consistent, and how you can finally create a fitness routine that you look forward to instead of dread.
💭 Why Do We Struggle to Stay Consistent?
Let’s start with a little honesty: it’s not that people don’t want to move their bodies — it’s that they’ve been taught movement has to look a certain way.
We live in a culture that glorifies intensity and punishment. “No pain, no gain.” “Go hard or go home.” “Earn your calories.”
And somewhere along the way, fitness became synonymous with suffering.
But that mindset sets most people up to fail. Because when exercise feels like another chore on your to-do list, it becomes the first thing to go when life gets busy — and let’s be real, life is always busy.
The truth is: you don’t need to chase exhaustion to get results. You just need to find your kind of movement.
🙉 Stop Forcing Yourself to Do Workouts You Hate
Yep, I said it. Stop doing workouts that you despise.
If you hate running, stop running. If you dread bootcamp, skip it. If every yoga class leaves you more frustrated than centered — it’s okay to move on.
There’s no one “right” way to move your body. Movement should be something you want to come back to, not something you endure.
When you do workouts you genuinely enjoy, your brain releases dopamine — the feel-good hormone that reinforces positive habits. That means joy isn’t just an emotion; it’s a neurological pathway to consistency.
In fact, a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people who associated exercise with positive emotions (like enjoyment and accomplishment) were significantly more likely to maintain regular physical activity over time than those who exercised out of guilt or obligation.
Translation: if you hate what you’re doing, it’s not sustainable. But when you move in ways that make you feel alive, you’ll keep showing up — and that’s where transformation happens.
💃 Find Movement That Feels Good in Your Body
So what does joyful movement actually look like?
It could be dancing in your kitchen.
Walking your dog through your favorite Oakland neighborhood.
Lifting weights with your personal trainer.
Playing pickleball with friends.
Stretching after a long day at work.
Movement doesn’t have to fit in a box — it just has to fit you.
Ask yourself:
What kind of movement makes me smile while I’m doing it?
What leaves me feeling energized instead of drained?
What would I do even if it didn’t “count” as a workout?
Start there. Because joy is the secret ingredient that turns a routine into a lifestyle.
At Truve, we help our clients explore different types of workouts until they find something that lights them up — whether that’s Pilates, small group training, cycling, or functional strength sessions. The best workout isn’t the hardest one — it’s the one you’ll actually do.
🔁 Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Another reason people lose motivation is that they expect perfection.
We think if we can’t work out for an hour, it’s not worth it. Or if we miss a few days, we’ve “failed.”
But perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Your body — and your life — will change. Some weeks you’ll have more time or energy; others, you’ll barely have 10 minutes to move. And that’s okay.
What matters most is showing up consistently in the way that fits your current season of life.
Five minutes of movement is infinitely better than none.
A short walk between meetings is still movement.
Stretching before bed counts too.
Progress doesn’t have to be linear or dramatic — it just has to be intentional.
So instead of asking, “Did I do enough?” ask, “Did I show up for myself today?”
When you measure success by consistency rather than perfection, everything shifts.
💬 The Emotional Side of Joyful Movement
Movement that brings joy also heals something deeper than muscle tissue — it heals your relationship with your body.
When you stop viewing exercise as punishment for what you ate or how you look, and start seeing it as a celebration of what your body can do, you create a positive feedback loop.
You move → you feel better → you want to move more.
It becomes less about “fixing” yourself and more about honoring yourself.
We’ve seen it time and again at Truve — clients who start training for strength and joy end up gaining confidence, energy, and self-trust that extends far beyond the gym.
And that’s when fitness stops being a task and becomes a part of who you are.
🌈 How to Start Building Joy Into Your Routine
If you’re ready to stop fighting your workouts and start enjoying them, here’s where to begin:
⭐ Start small.
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Commit to 10 minutes a day — a walk, a stretch, a few squats. Let the habit grow naturally.
⭐ Experiment often.
Try a Pilates class, a hiking trail, or a new playlist. The more you experiment, the faster you’ll find what lights you up.
⭐ Remove the guilt.
Movement is self-care, not punishment. You don’t “earn” rest or food. You move because it feels good to feel good.
⭐ Celebrate every win.
Lifted heavier today? Slept better? Smiled during your workout? That’s progress worth celebrating.
⭐ Find community.
Accountability doesn’t have to mean pressure. Surround yourself with people who make movement fun, supportive, and inclusive — like our amazing crew at Truve.
💪 At Truve, We Believe Joy Comes First
In our personal training and small group sessions, we talk a lot about finding movement that actually lights you up. It’s not just about building stronger bodies — it’s about building happier, healthier humans.
Our clients tell us that once they find joy in movement, everything else falls into place. Their consistency improves, their energy soars, and their confidence follows.
Because the truth is: when you move in joy, you move for life.
✨ The Bottom Line
Finding joy in movement isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s the foundation of lasting health.
When you enjoy how you move, you stay consistent.
When you stay consistent, your body gets stronger.
And when your body gets stronger, your confidence expands in every direction.
So the next time you catch yourself saying, “I’m just not a workout person,” pause and ask:
What kind of movement would actually make me happy right now?
Then do that — unapologetically.
If you’re ready to rediscover the joy in moving your body, we’d love to help. Click here to book a free strategy call and let’s create a plan that brings strength, balance, and joy back into your fitness journey.
Reference:
Schneider, M., Dunn, A., & Cooper, D. (2021). Enjoyment and exercise adherence: The role of affect in promoting physical activity. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 693.