[Video] Too Tired to Work Out?

What this video is about

This is the first episode of my Best First Move series, and it starts with something almost every busy parent and midlife woman has felt: wanting to exercise and having nothing left to give.

If you’ve been calling that a discipline problem, this video offers another way to look at it.

Why this matters

When we decide the issue is willpower, the solution usually becomes pushing harder. A tougher plan, an earlier alarm, or worse, more guilt.

For someone who’s already depleted, that approach often leads to a few intense days followed by a crash and more self-criticism.

A more helpful question is: what’s draining my energy, and what’s restoring it?

Stress, poor sleep, caregiving, hormonal changes, and constant mental load all draw from the same account. If withdrawals keep outpacing deposits, of course there’s not much left at 6 p.m.

Recovery comes first

Energy is built, not just spent. Some places to look before you look at your workout plan:

Sleep. Even small improvements in how long or how well you sleep can change how you feel during the day.
Food and water. Running on coffee and leftovers from the kids’ plates makes everything harder.
Mental load. Being “on” all day is tiring even when you’re sitting still.
Timing. You may have more energy at a different time of day than the one you’ve been trying.

Movement that gives back

Gentle movement can actually help restore energy instead of just spending it. A walk outside, a few minutes of stretching, or dancing in the kitchen all count.

The goal right now isn’t a perfect routine. It’s showing your body and your mind that movement can feel good again.

Once your energy starts coming back, building more structure tends to feel much more doable. And if exhaustion doesn’t lift with rest, it’s worth checking in with your doctor.