Metabolism Mistake #2: Exercising Without a Strategy
Why Random Workouts Won’t Get You the Results You Want
Exercise is amazing for your health. But random exercise? That’s a whole different story.
Here’s the thing: there’s a time when “something is better than nothing” really does apply. But if you’re putting in the effort and not seeing the results you’re hoping for—it might not be your willpower. It might just be your strategy.
The Trap We Fall Into
When life gets busy (and when isn’t it?), most of us default to what’s familiar:
A quick run to clear our heads
A HIIT class when we can squeeze one in
Clicking on a 20-minute at-home workout app between kid drop-offs and dinner prep
The problem? Without a plan, your workouts are hit-or-miss. You’re not challenging your body consistently enough, and you’re probably not balancing strength, cardio, and recovery in a way that supports your goals.
Strength Training Has to Be the Foundation
Starting around age 30, women can lose up to 3% of muscle mass every year. Muscle is your body’s engine—it’s what keeps your metabolism humming even when you’re sitting at your desk or chasing kids around the house.
The more lean muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest. That’s why focusing on strength training will move the needle so much more than endless cardio or random HIIT. Cardio, yoga, and Pilates? Love them. But they work best as complements, not the main event.
Progressive overload Is the key
Strength training only works if you keep progressing. That doesn’t mean reinventing your workout every week—it just means adding small challenges over time. A few more reps, a little heavier weight, shorter rest. This is called progressive overload, and it’s how your body adapts and gets stronger.
And the best part? You don’t need a complicated plan. A simple, repeatable routine done consistently (with small progressions built in) will beat five random workouts any day.
Real Life: Busy Doesn’t have to Mean Random
As a mom juggling school drop-offs, after-school chaos, and work, I get the temptation to just “fit in something quick.” But I’ve learned that even two or three intentional strength sessions a week can make a bigger difference than seven scattershot workouts. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing it smarter.
The Takeaway
Random workouts create random results. Build your routine around strength training, show up consistently, and let everything else support your progress—not replace it.
Ready to Feel Like You Again?
I help women in their 30s and 40s build strength, balance their nutrition, and restore their energy—without restrictive diets or endless cardio.
If you’re tired of guessing what works and want a plan that actually fits your life (kids, career, chaos and all), coaching may be the next step for you.