Stop Negotiating with Yourself: How to Actually Work Out When You’re Busy, Tired, and Totally Over It
Because your cape might be in the laundry, but your power is still ON.
Let’s just say it: Sometimes the hardest part of working out is… deciding to work out.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably spent more time thinking about moving your body than actually moving it:
“I’ll do it after the baby’s nap.”
“I’m too tired now — maybe later.”
“Ugh, I should’ve done something today.”
“OK, tomorrow for sure.”
That back-and-forth mental tug-of-war is EXHAUSTING. And here's the wild part: most of our workouts take less time than that inner debate. No joke — you could have finished a 15-minute session in the time it took to spiral.
So why do we get stuck? And more importantly — how do we break out and Awesome-up anyway?
Why We Procrastinate Exercise (Even When We Know It’ll Help)
We think it has to be all or nothing.
If we can’t go full Hulk-mode, we don’t even try. But even superheroes need warm-ups — and small, consistent movement adds up to mega power over time.We’re waiting for the “perfect time.”
Spoiler: it doesn’t exist. Especially if you're a parent. Waiting for everything to align — energy, motivation, childcare, quiet — means you’ll be waiting forever.We’ve tied exercise to guilt instead of joy.
If you’re constantly telling yourself you “should” work out, it stops feeling like something for you and starts feeling like a chore.
How to Break the Cycle and Just. Start. Moving.
1. Lower the bar. Like, way lower.
Instead of trying to “crush a workout,” try this:
“I’m just going to do 5 minutes.”
Set a timer. Do squats during your kid’s snack break. Stretch while your coffee brews. Movement doesn’t have to be epic to be effective — it just has to happen.
2. Ditch the decision-making.
The more choices you have to make, the less likely you are to follow through.
Prep like you would for your kid’s day:
Pick your workout the night before
Lay out clothes
Decide when you’ll do it, not if
Pro tip: Create a list of 2–3 go-to workouts you can rotate through when you don’t have brain space.
3. Talk back to the excuses.
Next time you hear yourself say:
“I’m too tired.” → Try: “Movement gives me energy.”
“It’s not the right time.” → Try: “There’s never a perfect time. I’ll feel better after.”
“I don’t have time.” → Try: “I make time — because I’m worth it.”
Your brain believes what you tell it. Start rewriting the story.
4. Anchor it to something else you already do.
Habit stacking is magic. Link movement to something already in your routine:
After school drop-off
Right after brushing your teeth
As soon as the baby goes down
Even if it’s tiny, consistency builds momentum.
5. Celebrate the win — no matter how small.
Moved for 3 minutes? Legendary.
Stretched while reheating chicken nuggets? Iconic.
Sat on the mat and just breathed for a sec? Heroic.
Superparents don’t need gold medals. We just need to notice the wins we’re already racking up.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Perfect. It’s About Possible.
We’re not here to preach hustle culture. We’re here to remind you that you deserve to feel strong, clear, and capable — even in the middle of chaos. Even when your to-do list is longer than your patience. Even when movement feels like the last thing you want to do.
The secret isn’t motivation.
It’s reducing friction, lowering expectations, and making it easier to say yes to yourself.
Even just once today.
Even just for five minutes.
Your cape is waiting. But even if it’s buried under Goldfish crumbs and laundry —
you’re still a superparent underneath it all.
You’ve got this.
Now go get Awesome. 💥
Written by the team at Make Me Awesome — busy parents, movement lovers, and firm believers that you’re still a superhero even if you worked out in pajama pants.