I grew up in UAE. The sun was terrible and most children stayed indoors in the early 90s.
This meant that I had absolutely zero stamina and did no physical activity whatsoever.
My parents let me play videogames all day long and as long as I got good grades, there were no restrictions.
So naturally, I grew up believing exercise was punishment.
Just something you had to do if you had no choice.
I dreaded it. I resented it.
And I avoided it like the plague. But everything changed the moment I hit my mid-twenties and my body started making noises.
I started with walks, slowly moved to home-workouts watching Youtube and eventually joined the gym with a personal trainer so I didn’t mess up anything.
Movement became something I looked forward to, not something I dreaded.
And if you’re in that weird place where you want to love exercise but just can’t seem to get there, I promise, it’s not your fault.
You just haven’t found your way in yet.
Here’s how I fell in love with exercise, and how you can too.
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1. Start with how you want to feel, not how you want to look
The more you focus on “losing fat” and “becoming thin”, the harder you’ll find exercise to sustain.
Forget before-and-after photos.
Close your eyes and imagine how you want to feel when you move: free, light, powerful, grounded, happy?
Exercise should help you feel more alive, not more ashamed.
I started dancing in my living room not because I wanted abs, but because it made me smile.
That shift changed everything.
Try this: Fitness Journal for Women
2. Try everything until something clicks
You don’t have to be a runner. I have friends who have tried to get me to run and it just never felt right for me.
You don’t have to like yoga.
The beauty of movement is that there’s something for everyone: kickboxing, hula hooping, swimming, pole dancing, trampoline workouts, walking podcasts.
Start slow. Start with any sort of moment. And just focus on showing up daily.
You don’t owe anyone a traditional gym routine.
I didn’t find my groove until I joined a silly dance cardio class that played ’90s hits.
It was weird, and perfect.
Try this: Weighted Hula Hoop for Fun Cardio Workouts
3. Romanticize your workout space
Make your movement environment feel beautiful.
Light a candle.
Wear an outfit you love. This is super important. If buying 2-3 outfits will help you get excited about working out – do it.
I got 2-3 sport bras and I felt so unstoppable!
Put on fairy lights or play your favorite playlist.
I have a small yoga mat near my window, a Bluetooth speaker, and my favorite lemon water tumbler.
It feels like a retreat instead of a chore.
Try this: Fitness Pants for Women
4. Stop measuring your worth by your progress
You’re not a spreadsheet.
You’re a living, breathing human being.
Some days your body will move with fire. Other days it will feel like molasses. Love it anyway.
Respect it anyway. This kind of compassion actually makes you want to come back.
Try this: Inspirational Fitness Affirmation Cards
5. Move for your mood
When I feel anxious, I stretch.
When I’m sad, I walk.
When I’m angry, I box the air or practice with weights.
When I’m happy, I dance like a dork.
Exercise isn’t one-size-fits-all—it can match your mood, soothe your nerves, and release your emotions. Let it become your therapy.
Try this: Mini Trampoline for Rebounding & Stress Relief
6. Track how it makes you feel—not how much you burn
I used to log every calorie.
It made me hate everything.
Now, I write down how I felt after moving: energized, calmer, accomplished, proud.
That little shift helped me associate exercise with good feelings instead of guilt.
Try this: Fitness and Food Journal – Daily Fitness Tracker
7. Get cute, comfy clothes you actually love wearing
Listen, if you hate your workout outfit, you’re not going to want to move.
Get soft leggings, a sports bra that doesn’t stab you, or even a flowy cotton dress if you’re into dancing.
Comfort + confidence = magic.
I started with tight clothes and I realized later that I loved loose graphic tees and shorts. They became my uniform. To each their own!
Try this: High-Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets – Super Soft
8. Make it short, sweet, and doable
You don’t need 90-minute routines.
You don’t need perfection.
Perfection is the killer of progess. This is something my trainer drilled into me. And I follow it.
Start with 5 minutes of stretching. Or 3 songs of dancing.
Or a walk around the block. When you’re consistent with the tiny, you’ll want to build on it naturally.
9. Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset
This is what will derail your progress.
You’re not lazy if you skip a day.
When I’m on my period, I do find it very, very hard to workout. My body gives up completely and I can’t lift even the lightest of weights.
You’re not a failure if you pause halfway. Rest is part of movement.
Grace is part of discipline. The more you forgive yourself, the more you’ll actually show up.
10. Find a community or buddy who gets it
Whether it’s an online group, a workout class, or your best friend who also loves to power-walk with iced coffee, movement becomes easier when you’re not doing it alone.
You don’t have to go it alone. And you’ll laugh a lot more.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t even have to be consistent at first. You just have to start listening to your body instead of fighting it. Fall in love with how movement makes you feel—not what it makes you burn.
You deserve a life where your body is not the enemy—but your ally. So move gently. Move joyfully. Move often. The love will follow.
