The holiday season has a way of cranking up both the fun and the pressure. That means, more plans, more food, more late nights… and often, more guilt around exercise.
If you’ve ever forced yourself into an intense workout “because it’s on the plan” and ended up feeling exhausted, moody, or crazy starving later, this is for you. Also, that negative body feedback should feel empowering, not “what’s wrong with me”.
Let’s talk about intuitive body movement—a gentler, more flexible way to move your body that still supports your goals without burning you out.
Why I’m Not a Fan of Rigid Workout Schedules
I’m not a big fan of strict routines like:
• Leg day Monday
• HIIT Tuesday
• Run Wednesday
…no matter what else is happening in your life or body.
Because what if Tuesday rolls around and:
• You slept horribly
• PMS is hitting
• You’re dehydrated
• You’ve fasted too long…oops, got busy
• You’re already holding a lot of life stress (hello full calendar)
Forcing intense movement on top of all that doesn’t automatically make you “disciplined.” Sometimes it just makes you depleted.
Meet Your “Stress Bucket”
Think of your body like it has a stress bucket. Different things pour into that bucket:
• Poor or short sleep
• PMS or hormonal shifts
• Illness or recovering from being sick
• Dehydration
• Fasting too long or under-eating, or not enough protein
• Emotional stress (work, kids, relationships, finances)
When that bucket is already close to full, adding a super intense workout can be too much for your body to handle well.
For me, I’ve learned this the hard way:
Intense exercise + an overstressed body = me, short-tempered, exhausted, and hangry by the afternoon, like…cannot get satisfied and end up overeating.
Not exactly the peace and life I’m going for.
How I Choose My Movement Each Day
Instead of letting my calendar boss me around, I let my body have a say.
Here’s the simple framework I use.
When my stress bucket is fuller (more stress)
I choose lower-impact, supportive movement, like:
• A long walk
• Gentle yoga or stretching
• Light mobility work
• A shorter, easier workout
These help my body feel cared for, not crushed.
When my stress bucket is lighter (less stress)
I choose more challenging movements, like:
• Heavy strength training
• Short HIIT sessions (20-30 min)
• An outdoor run or walk/sprints mixed in
• A more intense workout I feel excited about
This approach has been so helpful for building a peaceful relationship with exercise. I’m not in that all-or-nothing mindset anymore—either “crushing it” or “failing.” I’m adjusting as I go with my personal body feedback.
A Simple 3-Step Check-In Before You Work Out
As you move through December, try this quick check-in before you press play on a workout:
1. Pause for 30 seconds.
Ask yourself: How does my body feel today? Energized? Drained? Somewhere in between?
2. Scan your stress bucket.
• How did you sleep?
• Where’s your cycle at?
• Have you eaten enough today?
• Feeling wired, anxious, or depleted?
3. Match your movement to your stress level.
• High stress day? Choose something gentle and nourishing.
• Low–moderate stress day? Take advantage and go for something more challenging and push yourself.
Remember, this isn’t about talking yourself out of movement—it’s about choosing the kind of movement your body truly needs.
The Game Changer: Mindfulness Over Perfection
We’re all learning and tweaking as we go on our wellness journeys. There’s no “perfect” plan that works for every single day of your life.
But this gentle structure… checking in with your body, honoring your stress levels, and choosing movement accordingly has worked for me for years and gotten me out of the all-or-nothing-guilt cycle
Being more mindful, day to day, about what your body truly needs?
Total game changer.
This December, give yourself permission to move intuitively:
Less punishment.
More partnership with your body.
Your workouts (and your mood) will thank you.
🍑🧡#WellnessMadePeachie For Life!