I’ll Start Next Week… Why We Keep Delaying Exercise (and How to Break It)

“I’ll start next week.”

It sounds like a good plan.
Next week will feel easier. Less busy. More organised.

But then next week comes… and goes.
And nothing changes.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many women find themselves stuck in this cycle—wanting to exercise, but never quite starting.

The good news? There’s a reason it happens. And once you understand it, it becomes much easier to move forward.

Why Do We Keep Delaying Exercise?

Waiting for the “Right Time”

It’s easy to believe you’ll start when life settles down.

But real life rarely slows down for long.

There will always be:

• A busy week
• Sick kids
• Work deadlines
• Unexpected plans

If you wait for the perfect time to start exercising, you’ll likely keep waiting.

The “All or Nothing” Mindset

A lot of women feel like exercise has to be done properly—or not at all.

You might think:

• “I need to be consistent from the start”
• “There’s no point unless I can commit fully”
• “I’ll start when I can do it right”

This way of thinking often leads to doing nothing at all.

The reality is simple:
Doing something is always better than doing nothing.

Feeling Too Busy or Mentally Overloaded

For many women, especially mums, the day is already full.

You’re thinking about:

• School schedules
• Work
• Meals
• Appointments
• Everyone else’s needs

Adding exercise can feel like just another task.

So it gets pushed to “next week.”

Feeling Too Tired to Exercise

When you’re already low on energy, exercise can feel like too much.

But waiting until you feel motivated or energised doesn’t usually work.

More often than not, energy comes after you start moving—not before.

How to Stop Delaying Exercise

You don’t need a big plan. You just need a better starting point.

Start Smaller Than You Think

Instead of planning a full routine, aim for one simple step.

For example:

• One session this week
• One walk
• One class

Starting small makes it easier to begin—and starting is what matters most.

Focus on Showing Up

You don’t need the perfect workout.

You don’t need to feel motivated.

You just need to show up.

Some days will feel easier than others. That’s normal.

Stop Waiting to Feel Ready

Most people don’t feel ready when they begin.

They feel unsure. A bit out of routine. Maybe even uncomfortable.

That’s part of the process.

Confidence builds after you start—not before.

Make Exercise Fit Your Life

Instead of asking,
“When will I have time?”

Try asking,
“Where could this realistically fit into my week?”

That might look like:

• A session after school drop-off
• A class where your kids can come along
• A short, manageable routine

The easier it fits, the more likely you are to keep going.

Let Go of “Starting Over”

Missing a session doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

It doesn’t mean you need to wait until next week.

You can always start again the next day.

Consistency isn’t about being perfect—it’s about not giving up completely.

A Simpler Way to Think About It

Instead of saying:
“I’ll start next week”

Try this:
“I’ll do something small this week”

That shift matters.

Because progress doesn’t come from perfect plans.
It comes from small actions, done regularly.

Final Thought

If you keep putting off exercise, it’s not a lack of discipline.

It’s usually because the approach doesn’t fit your life.

Keep it simple.
Start small.
Focus on showing up.

That’s how real, lasting change begins.