This One Mindset Shift Helped Me Stop Skipping Workouts

 

Today we’re diving into a mindset shift that completely changed the way I approach my workouts—and helped me stop skipping them, even on the busiest or hardest days.

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I don’t have time,” “I’m too tired,” or “It’s not worth it unless I go all in,”—this episode is going to shift everything for you.

Because you don’t need more motivation. You don’t need more guilt. You just need a new way to see movement—one rooted in self-respect, not self-punishment.

What I discuss:

  • The all-or-nothing trap that keeps women stuck and inconsistent

  • How I redefined what “counts” as a workout (and why that changed everything)

  • Why a short walk or 15-minute lift is enough

  • The science behind why even 5 minutes of movement boosts your mood and brain function

  • What actually builds consistency—and why it has nothing to do with discipline

  • The exact question I ask myself when I don’t “feel like it”

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love…
https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/3-reasons-why-you-cant-stay-consistent-what-to-do-about-it

If you want more from me, be sure to check out...

Transcript

00:00 -

Hey, hey, beautiful human, Can I steal five minutes of your time? I have something super important to share with you, but I promise I'll be really quick. You're listening to my weekly bonus episode of Embrace your Real with me, julie Ledbetter. I'm about to give you a quick tip for building your confidence, honoring your body and unconditionally loving your authentic self. Stay tuned If you're ready to embrace your real, let's get it. Let's go. Hello, and welcome back to the Embrace your Real podcast.

00:36

I'm so glad that you pressed play on today's bonus episode because what I'm about to share with you is something that completely changed the way that I approach my workouts. If you ever found yourself skipping workouts because you're too tired, you're too busy, you just you're not feeling it. This mindset shift is going to be an absolute game changer for you. And don't worry, this isn't about pushing through burnout, guilt, tripping yourself into doing more. You know that's not my vibe. This is about shifting the way you think about how you're showing up, so that movement becomes something that you want to do, not something you feel like you have to do. But before I get into it, let me say this You're not lazy, you're not inconsistent. You don't need more motivation. You just need a new lens, a new way to see movement, and that starts right here and right now.

01:13

But before I dive in, I want to share this super sweet review that recently came into Apple Podcasts. Julie, your podcast is the one that I come back to over and over again. Every time I start doubting myself or get caught into this why isn't this working spiral? You remind me to pause, to breathe and to trust the process. You've helped me stop obsessing over the scale and actually celebrate my strength. Thank you, I love this so much. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to send in this review. All right, let's get into the bonus episode.

01:41

For a long time, I used to think if I don't have a full hour, it's not even worth it, or if I'm not doing a hard workout, it doesn't count. And let's be real, that's the kind of thinking that is a fast track to inconsistency, because life doesn't always give you 60 minute time blocks and perfect energy, like some days you've got literally 10, 20 minutes between calls or naps. Some days your toddler won't even nap at all. Some days your cycle has you feeling way off your game. Q postpartum menstrual cycles they're on a whole new level. Like, let me tell you they are on a whole new level. But if your standard is perfect or nothing, guess what you'll choose? Most often Nothing. But here's the mindset shift that helped me stop skipping workouts Movement is a form of self-respect, not punishment.

02:28

Let me say that again Movement is a form of self-respect, not punishment. When I started looking at movement as something I get to do, not something that I have to do, everything changed. It stopped being about burning calories, it stopped being about earning food, it stopped being about shrinking my body and it started being about taking care of the one body that I get to live in. Even a short walk became an act of care. Even 15 minutes of dumbbells in my living room felt powerful. Even stretching on my living room floor felt like progress. I stopped asking what's the point if it's not a full workout and I started asking what would feel good to my body today, what would make me feel proud? What would make me feel calm, grounded or strong? And here's the wild part this isn't just mindset fluff. There's actual science to back this up. When you move your body, even if it's for a few minutes, it triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, and those are your brain's natural mood boosters. Movement also increases something called BDNF, brain-derived neurophatic factor, which literally helps your brain form new connections and improves cognitive function. So when you're feeling foggy or unmotivated or stuck, moving your body helps you get unstuck, even if it's for five minutes.

03:42

And let's kind of talk about consistency for a second, because I know that's where a lot of you feel frustrated. You tell yourself I just need to be more disciplined. But what you really need to do is redefine what counts. If your definition of a real workout is 60 minutes high intensity sweat fest at the gym, you're going to struggle because that doesn't fit into every day. But a 20 minute strength dumbbell workout in your garage, a 10 minute body weight circuit during nap time, a 30 minute walk while you listen to a podcast, that fits, that counts. When you do start giving yourself credit for those small wins, you start stacking them, you build momentum, and that's where consistency comes from. Not this all or nothing effort, but daily intention. And so that's why, inside the Moot with Julie community, I build short, effective, efficient dumbbell only workouts for women who have full lives but still want to feel strong. You have a 30 or a 60 minute version.

04:32

You can choose two workouts, three workouts, five workouts a week. You don't need a gym, you just need a decision to show up, because the real secret to staying consistent lower the barrier to entry, remove the pressure and remind yourself that every act of movement is a vote for the person that you want to be. So here's what I need you to do this week. Next time that you don't feel like working out, I want you to pause and ask yourself what would showing up with respect for my body look like today. Not what would burn the most calories, not what do you think I should do, but what would feel like kind discipline. Maybe that's a short dumbbell session, maybe that's a walk on your walking pad, maybe that's a stretch or a deep breath it all counts. Movement doesn't have to be intense to be impactful. You don't have to go hard, you just have to go, and that mindset. That's what helps me keep myself from stop skipping workouts for good.

05:30

If this episode gave you the nudge that you needed, take a screenshot, share it to your stories. You can tag me on Movement with Julie. Tag me on Embrace your Real. I love knowing what clicks for you and how you're showing up for yourself this week. And if you love today's episode, I know you will also love episode 149, three reasons why you can't stay consistent and what to do about it. I will link that in the show notes so that you can easily go check that out.

05:52

And if you're ready to stop skipping workouts and feeling strong in your body again, check out my movement with Julia. It was made for you, the women who want results but also want their lives to be simple, and they don't have time to drive to and from the gym. Dumbo only workouts for women. All you need is a few pair of dumbbells in a small space Until next time.

06:09

That is all I got for you today, but I have two things that I need you to do. First thing if you are not already following me on the gram, be sure to do so. Julie A Ledbetter yes, it's with an A in the middle For that daily post-workout real talk, healthy tips and tricks and honest accountability to keep your mind and heart in check. The second thing be sure to subscribe to Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. Thank you so much for joining me. It means the absolute world, and I'm going to leave you with one last thought the most beautiful women that I have met in my life are the ones who are completely confident and secure in being authentically themselves. Remember that beauty goes so much deeper than the surface. So go out there and embrace your real, because you're worth it. Thank you.

 
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