Lena stared at the dumbbells on her living room floor, sighing. She had promised herself she would work out today, but the couch looked far more inviting. Ever since she started working from home, her fitness routine had taken a serious hit. The gym was only a ten-minute drive away, but somehow, the motivation to get dressed, grab her water bottle, and head out the door was always lacking.
Today, however, she was determined. No more excuses.
She pulled up a workout video on her laptop and stood in front of the screen, rolling her shoulders. The instructor’s cheerful voice filled the room. “Alright, let’s get started with a quick warm-up!”
Lena followed along, stretching her arms and legs. She felt a small rush of energy as she started moving, her body shaking off the stiffness of a long day sitting at her desk. The warm-up was easy enough, but then the instructor announced, “Okay, time for some squats!”
She bent her knees, lowering herself down. One squat, two squats… by the fifth one, her thighs were burning. “Why did I ever stop doing this?” she muttered under her breath.
The workout progressed, shifting to lunges, push-ups, and core exercises. Lena pushed through, sweat forming on her forehead. She struggled with the push-ups, barely managing three before collapsing onto the mat. The instructor, still chirping encouragement through the screen, made it look effortless.
“This is ridiculous,” Lena groaned, lying on her back and staring at the ceiling. She could hear her neighbor’s dog barking outside and the hum of cars passing by. Was she really cut out for this?
Just as she was about to give up, her phone buzzed. A message from her best friend, Kayla: “Did you start your home workout? No excuses! You got this!”
Lena laughed. It was like Kayla had read her mind. Taking a deep breath, she rolled over and got back on her feet. “Alright, let’s go.”
With renewed determination, she followed through the next set of exercises—jumping jacks, high knees, and planks. It wasn’t easy, but she pushed herself, feeling the burn in her muscles. The instructor’s countdown helped her stay on track. “Three more… two… and one! Great job!”
By the time she finished the session, she was drenched in sweat, her heart pounding. But surprisingly, she felt amazing. Exhausted, yes, but also accomplished.
She sat on the floor, breathing heavily. Maybe she didn’t need the gym after all. Maybe all she needed was a little push, a good workout plan, and the willpower to keep going.
As she cooled down, stretching her legs, she picked up her phone and replied to Kayla. “Just finished! Almost died, but I did it.”
Kayla’s response was instant: “Proud of you! Same time tomorrow?”
Lena smiled. “You bet.”
She had taken the first step. Now, all she had to do was keep going.
