One of the most difficult parts of any fitness routine is simply getting started. You might experience the odd lapse of motivation once you’re in the swing of things, but the momentum you’ve gained from weeks of sticking to a routine makes it easier to push through. When you’re starting out, you don’t have that record to fall back on – making it so much easier to slip back into your old ways.

But the good news is that there are thousands of women who have pushed through that initial stage and found themselves on the other side – and they’re bursting with tips and tricks they learned from the experience. 

So, to help you meet and surpass your fitness goals in 2025, we’ve been speaking to eight women who have made fitness a habit about how they did it. From the practical to the psychological and emotional, here’s what they had to say. 

“An eight-week challenge gave me the push I needed to get started”

“Five years ago, I would never have dreamed of running 5k or stepping foot in the gym, and now I run three times a week and have a membership at my local leisure centre. I’d tried and failed to get into a fitness routine many times throughout my life, but I’d only ever manage a few workouts in a row before throwing in the towel.

“What changed things for me was signing up for a structured eight-week strength training challenge during lockdown. I ordered a few weights from Amazon and told myself I had to complete three sessions a week for eight weeks. If, by the end of the challenge, I decided it wasn’t for me, I told myself I’d never have to lift another weight again. 

“While there were moments when my resolve wavered, having the sessions all planned out for me made it much easier for me to get started, especially because they were all done at home. After a few weeks, I really started to notice a difference in my strength, and that just made me even more motivated to continue.”

Lauren, 27 

“Bringing others on board drove me to continue”

“I’ve always wanted to be a consistent runner, but in the past I found it hard to get into a routine. For years I’d do a Parkrun every once in a while and then not do it again for ages, or go for a short run around the park once in a blue moon.

“In the end, I decided to use my toxic trait of not wanting to let people down and transform it into a mini superpower. I invited others to come to my local Parkrun with me and even started a WhatsApp group for those who were interested in going. Because I’d organised it, I felt like I had to turn up.

“I completed 12 Parkruns in total between 2019 and 2022, but in 2023 and 2024 I managed to do 39 Parkruns a year simply because I started inviting people along. I love that it’s helped others too.”

Eliza, 42 

“Using exercise as an opportunity to bond with friends made it more meaningful”

“Over the last couple of years, my friends and I have made fitness (particularly running) a big part of our social lives, so much so that I get FOMO if I don’t go along to running events or training sessions. Seeing everyone doing their workouts on Strava makes me want to be part of that community, so I’m much more likely to get out there – even on days when I’m feeling low on energy.”

Daphne, 28

“I used positive self-talk and visualisation (and still do)”

“I follow Candice Brathwaite, who reminds me via her Instagram Stories every day that moving is a privilege, not a punishment. Seeing that message gets me to the gym, and then thinking of my kids cheering me on gets me through the classes.

“The accomplishment I feel after getting through a hard session also reinforces how worthwhile getting moving really is.”

Hannah, 32 

“Focusing on what brings me joy made it easier to stay motivated”

“After having my second child and running a business during the pandemic, I was feeling stretched, and I knew I had to prioritise my mental health. I started by trying to forge an exercise habit. I knew I needed not to overstretch myself, so I started by committing to one day a week and focused on doing something that used to bring me a lot of joy – dance.

“It started with one barre class a week, and that Monday 9.30am slot is still an absolute non-negotiable in my calendar. No matter what, it’s blocked out.

“I now do two classes a week minimum (a mix of weights, HIIT and reformer), as well as fast long walks and one short spurt in the gym.”

Caroline, 36  

 “Signing up for a big goal forced me to get started”

“Signing up for a big goal – in my case, the Manchester half marathon – was a great motivation tool, as there was no way I wasn’t not going to do it. Since then, working out has become my escape. It’s my me time and I love the person I am afterwards.”

Hazel, 42 

“I joined a CrossFit-affiliated gym and embraced the community”

“When I first started working out, I joined a CrossFit-affiliated gym. I love the community and how inclusive it is, to the point where anyone of any age and experience can join in. Being self-employed can be quite lonely, but I know when I go to a CrossFit class I’ll see friends and get strong.

“Seeing fitness as just one part of my day has also helped. I live by the phrase ‘go hard and go home’, which for me means committing to going and working out hard for a little bit (it doesn’t have to be a long time) then going home and cracking on with your day.”

Lucy, 40

“I started scheduling my gym classes like work meetings”

“I used to book the odd gym class without much rhyme or reason, but this year I’ve been trying to schedule regular classes like I would work meetings, treating them as a non-negotiable. Every week I book four classes and slot them into my diary. By scheduling in the time, I’ve been so much more consistent.”

Sophie, 30 

Images: Getty