Why Your 'Perfect' Workout Routine Is Likely Holding You Back
By Remi — You don't need a meal plan. You need someone who actually explains why. ·
Stop Building a Routine You Can’t Sustain
I’m going to be honest with you: if your workout routine looks like a spreadsheet designed for an Olympic athlete, but you’re working a 9-to-5, trying to balance a social life, and maybe trying to remember to call your mom back, it’s not a routine. It’s a ticking time bomb for burnout.
In my years working with clients here in Toronto, I’ve seen the same pattern over and over. Someone decides they want to get fit, they find a 'perfect' 6-day-a-week split online, they crush it for exactly 11 days, and then life happens. A late meeting, a bad night’s sleep, a rainy Tuesday, and suddenly the whole thing falls apart. They feel like a failure, they quit, and they wait until the next 'fresh start' to try again.
Let’s stop this cycle. You don't need a perfect routine; you need a sustainable system.
The 'Why' Behind Movement
In my household growing up, food was the center of everything. My family didn’t talk about 'macros' or 'calorie expenditure.' We talked about nourishment, flavor, and community. When I started my master’s in sports nutrition, I realized that we’ve been trying to treat our bodies like machines for too long. Machines have off-switches and rigid manuals. Humans? Humans are fluid.
When I design a workout routine for an amateur athlete or a busy professional, I don’t start with exercises. I start with the 'why.' Are we building capacity to hike that trail with your friends? Are we training to keep up with your kids? Are we working on joint integrity so you aren’t stiff when you wake up at 40?
When your routine is anchored to a purpose that matters to your actual life, you stop viewing it as a chore you have to 'get through.' It becomes a tool you use to build the life you want.
Why 'Optimal' Isn't Always Practical
There is a massive obsession with the 'optimal' workout. You’ve seen it: the debates on whether you should do push-pull-legs or full-body, whether you need 48 or 72 hours of recovery between muscle groups.
Here is the truth: The 'optimal' workout is the one you actually do. If you have time for three 45-minute sessions a week, that is infinitely better than a 'perfect' 6-day program that you only manage to follow for two weeks out of the month.
Consistency is the secret sauce. It’s not about intensity or complexity; it’s about showing up even when you don’t feel like a superhero.
How to Build Your Own 'Good Enough' Routine
I want you to throw out the templated workout routines you found on Instagram. Instead, let’s build something that actually respects your reality. Use these three pillars to structure your movement:
1. The Minimum Viable Dose: What is the least amount of movement you can commit to on your worst day? Maybe it’s a 15-minute walk and three sets of bodyweight squats. If you do that, you win the day. Anything on top of that is just bonus points.
2. Movement Variety: Don’t just lift weights because you think you have to. If you hate the treadmill, get off of it. If you love dancing, find a class. If you enjoy lifting, great—but make sure you’re moving in different planes of motion. We spend too much time sitting; your routine should help you rotate, reach, and lunge.
3. The 'Energy Audit': Before you head to the gym, ask yourself: 'What does my body need today?' Sometimes, you need a high-intensity session to clear your head. Other times, your nervous system is fried from stress, and a heavy lifting session is just going to dig you a deeper hole. On those days, opt for mobility work or a brisk walk. Training with your energy levels instead of against them is how you stay in the game for the long haul.
It’s Time to Stop 'Performing' Fitness
I see so many people 'performing' fitness for an audience—even if that audience is just their own internal critic. They feel like if they aren't sweating through their shirt or feeling like they can't walk the next day, they haven't 'worked hard enough.'
Let’s reframe that. You are working hard enough when you are building resilience. You are working hard enough when you feel empowered, not depleted.
Fitness is meant to be a companion to your life, not the thing that consumes it. When you stop trying to force yourself into a rigid box, you’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to stay consistent. Your body is smart, and it’s always listening to you. If you treat it with patience and strategy rather than punishment, it will thank you for years to come.
What’s the biggest barrier you’ve hit when trying to stick to a workout routine lately? Let’s break it down in the comments—I’m curious to hear what your personal 'why' is for moving your body. Let’s talk about it.