Last week,

My girlfriend called me and sighed.

“I just can’t seem to get into the rhythm of working out this year.”

Every January, she travels back home to India.

Surrounded by family, love, and dangerously good food.

AKA… Mum’s cooking.

I mean, honestly — who’s choosing push-ups over paneer?

But the thing is… she wanted to move.

She’s normally disciplined.

Workouts three times a week.

Eats clean. Doesn’t crave sugar.

(Unlike me — I can inhale a chocolate croissant like a Dyson.)

Still, she was stuck.

“I’ll do it tomorrow!”

“I just need to find the right gym class.”

That’s when I gently interrupted.

“Here’s the deal,” I said.

“Tomorrow, just do 5 minutes of exercise.”

She looked confused.

“…And then what?”

“Then stop.”

“Stop?”

“Yep. 5 minutes only. But you have to stop.”

The next day…

She laced up.

Did 5 minutes.

Felt great.

Wanted to keep going — but didn’t.

The day after…

She did 10 minutes.

Took a day off…

Then smashed a full workout.

And just like that — she was back in rhythm.

The Power of a Tiny Start

It’s a concept James Clear talks about in Atomic Habits:

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you want to become.”

Every time I feel overwhelmed,

I return to that question:

How can I make the first step laughably small?

Because once you’ve started…

You’re in motion.

You’ve cast a vote.

You’re becoming that person — one tiny action at a time.

So, next time you want to change something?

Just do 5 minutes.

Then stop.

No pressure.

No heroic effort.

Just a vote.

That’s all it takes to start.

Have a great week ahead.
Much love,
Chris x