Joy Wasted with KB Dickey

Let’s be real for a second: restarting an exercise routine after years of skipping the gym and prioritizing naps is HARD. Like, real hard. I mean, I used to be that person who could knock out a solid workout without breaking a sweat (okay, maybe a little sweat), and now I find myself struggling just to get up in the morning. And don’t even get me started on my post-work crashes. By the time I clock out, I’m convinced I’ve earned a nap for simply surviving the day.

And let’s face it—the pandemic didn’t help. Laying down became a lifestyle. Who needed weights when binge-watching was a full-body experience? Exercise? Never heard of her. Lying on the couch was all the rave, and motivation to move? Gone.

The Energy to Get Moving

Getting off the couch now feels like an Olympic event—except I haven’t even warmed up yet. it’s like starting an old Buick, lol. The hardest part isn’t the actual workout; it’s convincing myself to start. But I realized the trick was just showing up. I didn’t need to run a marathon or lift heavy weights on day one. I just needed to lace up my sneakers and take that first step (or maybe just roll off the couch).

Vision Meets Reality

What’s keeping me going is the vision of where I want to be. I picture myself feeling stronger, looking healthier, and most importantly, not needing a nap just to recover from my day. I want to wake up energized, feel good in my body, and know I’m setting myself up for a longer, healthier life. Besides, I got to figure out why I am getting headaches. Ugh, I feel so fatigue at times.

So, I made a plan:

1. Start small—like embarrassingly small. We’re talking 10-minute walks or beginner exercise videos. Heck, I may just walk a little.
2. Set realistic goals. Forget the scale; I am going to focus on how I feel.
3. Celebrate the small wins. Did I stretch instead of zoning out on the couch? Win.

The Mind-Body-Soul Connection

Here’s what I quickly learned: exercise isn’t just about looking good (though I won’t lie, that’s a nice perk). It’s about feeling good. Moving my body clears my mind, lifts my mood, and gives me a sense of accomplishment I didn’t realize I was missing.

• Mind: Exercise helps quiet those anxious thoughts and boosts confidence. It’s like therapy, but cheaper.
• Body: More energy, better sleep, less random aches and pains. My body was like, “Finally! She’s helping us out here!”
• Soul: There’s something spiritual about caring for yourself. It’s a reminder that I’m worth the effort, and that hit me in the feels.

My Efforts to Keep Going

It won’t be perfect. Some days, I’ know I will crush my workout; other days, Netflix, naps and Viki will still win. But I refuse to quit. I’ve learned to be kind to myself, to focus on progress and not perfection, and to remember why I started.

This journey is about more than losing weight or fitting into old jeans. It’s about showing up for myself, breaking out of pandemic habits (no more couch-marathons), and proving that I can do hard things—even when my muscles are screaming, “Girl, what are you doing to us?!”

So here I am, sweaty and sore but proud. If you’ve been thinking about restarting your fitness journey, this is your sign. Start small, dream big, and cut yourself some slack along the way. You’ve got this. And hey, if I can do it, so can you. 💪

Here’s to showing up, one step (or squat) at a time. 🏋️‍♀️

Joy Junkie 2025