Do you find fitness overwhelming?

If the thought of fitting exercise into an already busy life feels overwhelming, you are certainly not alone. There is so much information out there about what we should  be doing that it can sometimes feel easier to do nothing at all.

And for women going through perimenopause or menopause, or those who are simply juggling work and/or family finding the time and energy for fitness can feel challenging. The good news is that fitness does not have to take over your life.

Keep it simple

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is thinking that if we cannot do a long, perfect workout, there is no point doing anything. In reality, shorter sessions can be a fantastic way to build movement into your day, particularly when life is busy. Fifteen or thirty minutes might not sound like much, but those sessions add up, and more importantly, they are much easier to make part of your routine.

This is one of the reasons I created Lift Lean, my online weight-lifting session that takes just 15 minutes. It is designed to make strength training feel achievable rather than another huge commitment in your diary.

Find something you actually enjoy

Finding movement that you genuinely enjoy makes such a difference to whether you will continue with it. For some people, that might be Clubbercise, or something more gentle like lift lean. You don't need to be the fittest person in the room or know all the moves; you just come along, have fun and move at your own level.

For others, a 30-minute session might be more appealing, which is where Ibiza Flex comes in. You can join online or in person, and if you cannot make the live session, you can watch the replay when it suits you. That flexibility is so important when you have a busy schedule.

Don't underestimate consistency

If you are new to fitness, returning after a break, or simply struggling to find the time, try taking away the pressure to do everything at once. You do not need to exercise five days a week from day one. Start with something realistic that you know you can fit into your life, whether that is a couple of short strength sessions, a class you enjoy, a walk or one of my 40-minute sessions.

For women navigating menopause in particular, I think it is important to remember that your body and your energy levels may not feel the same every day. Some days you might feel ready to work hard, while other days a gentler approach is exactly what you need.

So if fitness feels overwhelming at the moment, take a step back and make it simpler. Start with 15 minutes, choose something you enjoy, find a session that makes you want to turn up and remember that something is always better than nothing. You don't have to change everything overnight; you just need to find a way of moving that works for you.