Gentle is the New Hardcore: Why Kind Consistency Is the Future of Fitness
Spoiler alert: You don’t need to crush burpees, hate your life, or sweat your way to misery just to feel good in your body. Trust me, I’ve been there.
If you’ve ever gone full throttle with a new fitness routine only to burn out, vanish for weeks (or months), then start again with a heavy dose of guilt... hi. I see you. I was you. For years, I lived inside that cycle, all in or all out, with nothing in between. It made me resent exercise and feel like I was constantly failing.
And let’s be honest, the fitness industry doesn’t exactly make things easier. It’s full of noise, extremes, and contradicting advice that leaves you wondering if you should be weight training, doing HIIT, walking 10,000 steps, or just surrendering to the sofa forever.
Eventually, I had to stop and ask myself: What if there’s another way?
That’s when I created what I now call Kind Consistency.
✨ Wait, Why Is Working Out So Hard to Stick With?
Let’s be real: the fitness world can feel like a noisy room full of shouty people in Lycra yelling conflicting advice while you just wanted to stretch your hamstrings and go home.
And for many of us, our relationship with exercise started off rocky. If school PE made you feel like you weren’t “sporty” (same here, I still have flashbacks to the bleep test), it makes sense that movement doesn’t exactly scream “fun.”
Then there’s the toxic diet culture voice whispering:
“You ate carbs. Better earn them.”
“No pain, no gain.”
“You’ll feel better when you’re smaller.”
Let’s collectively throw that narrative in the bin, shall we?
💗 So... What Is Kind Consistency?
Kind Consistency is how I rebuilt my relationship with movement, slowly, gently, and without shame.
After a massive burnout in 2022, I took four months off from all exercise. When I came back, I started with just 15 minutes of bodyweight movement once a week. No pressure, no big goals, just reconnecting with how it felt to be in my body.
Now? I move regularly, lifting weights 2–3x a week, and I walk often because I enjoy it, not because I “should.” I’ve never felt stronger or more connected to myself, and it all started with giving myself permission to go slow.
🧠 Self-Compassion Is the Real Secret Sauce
I used to exercise because I thought I had to fix myself. The voice in my head said things like, “You’re not good enough yet. This workout will make you better.”
Even when it totally wrecked my energy, I kept going, chasing this imaginary version of myself that was somehow more worthy.
But that mindset? It’s not just exhausting, it’s harmful.
Kind Consistency is rooted in self-compassion and I mean real self-compassion, not the fluffy kind. Dr. Kristin Neff (she’s the queen of this stuff) says that self-compassion is about mindfulness, recognising that everyone struggles, and treating yourself like you would a friend. Simple, but powerful.
It’s about noticing the negative self-talk when it pops up (because it will), and gently choosing a kinder thought instead. Over time, that changes everything.
🧘♀️ Small Habits > Big Overhauls
I used to think consistency meant showing up at 100% all the time. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Consistency is showing up however you can sometimes that’s 10%, sometimes it’s 50%, and sometimes, yes, it’s 100%. The point is: you keep showing up.
I’m a huge fan of James Clear (Atomic Habits) and BJ Fogg (Tiny Habits), and their work helped me see how small actions, done often, can lead to big, sustainable change.
That’s why in Kind Moves Studio, I created the 6-Day Pathway: a collection of short, sub-15-minute workouts to help you build the habit of moving, without the overwhelm.
Because once you prove to yourself that you can start, everything else gets easier.
🔁 What About the Days I Just Can’t?
Been there. Still there sometimes. And this is where kindness really matters.
There will be days when life is messy, your tank is empty, or the workout you planned feels impossible. On those days, I ask myself: What would be the kindest choice today?
Sometimes that’s doing a few stretches on the floor. Sometimes it’s resting completely. Both are valid. Both are part of the process.
The magic isn’t in never missing a day, it’s in learning to listen to yourself and respond with care.
🚀 Find Your Rhythm, Not a Regime
All of this is backed by something called Self-Determination Theory, which sounds academic, but really it just means: you’re more likely to stick with things that feel good and make sense to you.
When movement feels joyful, meaningful, or empowering, instead of punishing, it becomes something you want to do.
That’s why I believe in helping people find their own rhythm. Not a strict routine, but a rhythm that works with their life, energy levels, and goals.
❤️ Final Thoughts from Me to You
If you’ve been waiting for permission to stop forcing workouts that make you feel awful... here it is.
You don’t need to earn rest. You don’t need to shrink yourself. And you definitely don’t need to suffer your way to “progress.”
You’re allowed to move in ways that feel good.
You’re allowed to start small.
You’re allowed to change your mind.
And yes, you’re allowed to skip a day and still be consistent.
Kind Consistency is how I finally found peace with movement.
It’s how I help others do the same.
And if you’re ready, it can be how you do too.
Finally get consistent with gentle guidance and a kind community to support you on your unique journey!
