I Quit Exercise. And it changed my life. 

How I quit exercising and started achieving more.

Gym lovers, brace yourselves. I hacked my way to increased productivity by doing the unthinkable – I quit exercising. 

You’re probably applauding me right now, wondering what took me so long. But for someone who has been going to the gym since I was 15, this is quite the about-face!

I’ve been on a mission to declutter my life for six months, one space at a time. I started with my closet, creating a pared-down seasonal wardrobe. Then came No-Buy January, a month dedicated to stopping new purchases and curbing the influx of unnecessary items into my home. Next, I’ve turned my attention to my home office, working to declutter the space in the house I spend the most time in.

But there was one area I hadn’t considered in my decluttering crusade: my exercise routine. With a self-created demanding exercise schedule, I always felt the need to push myself and never skip a workout – no matter how tired I felt (or the lack of results I seemed to be achieving).

I have always been a exerciser. I loved going to the gym. Until I realised, it was stealing all my productive time and energy.

I diligently hit the gym five mornings a week and raced out the door after work to hit my 10,000 steps every evening. But despite all this effort, I wasn’t seeing the results I had hoped for. Ironically, I was seeing zero results. No change in the scale, no change in my measurements. It was frustrating, but I persevered. (you definitely won’t see results if you quit, right?)

Then, a twist in my story – perimenopause. 

I had no idea I had been going through this, likely for years. The endless struggle with fatigue and a stubborn weight that refused to budge made my fitness goals impossible.

Here I was, physically and mentally exhausted and no closer to achieving my health goals.

I also realised that I prioritised exercising above nearly everything else. When it came time to find the energy to do other things: life admin, food shopping, personal projects, and even hanging out with friends, I struggled to find the energy. 

Things I enjoyed doing and gave me purpose outside of work were always the first thing pushed to the bottom of the “to-do” list. I was growing frustrated with my lack of progress in reaching my personal goals and my inability to complete even the most basic tasks. 

So, I took a bold step: I stopped exercising. Completely.

At first, it was just for a week. Pushing the morning alarm back by an hour. Skipping the evening walks. 

One week turned into six. My exercise was purely incidental for six whole weeks – walking through the parking lot or the aisles of the grocery store.

The most immediate change? My mornings. 

Gone were the 5:15 AM alarms and the rush to the gym. Instead, I allowed myself the luxury of sleeping in until 6:30 AM, savouring the slow start to my days. I was surprised at how odd it felt—taking this extra time to chill out before I started work. Surely I was breaking some adult rule that says you must always be productive?

Then there were the afternoons and evenings. 

Previously dedicated to hitting my step count, this time was now free for me to catch up on life. Errands that had been perpetually postponed, household chores that I’d been too drained to tackle, returning to my personal projects. I was still feeling fatigued, but the feeling of ticking things off my list was the small hit of energy that I needed. 

This no-exercise period wasn’t just a break but a revelation. It showed me that productivity isn’t always about doing more; sometimes, it’s about doing what’s right for your body and mind. It taught me the importance of listening to my body’s needs and responding with kindness rather than force.

Since my six-week hiatus, I have eased back into exercise with a newfound perspective. 

My routine is now more about balance and listening to my body’s cues. I hit the gym three times a week (usually) and thoroughly enjoy a few slower mornings, drinking coffee and watching TV before I start work. And if I wake up feeling exceptionally fatigued, I give myself permission to skip the gym. 

The occasional walks have returned, but they’re different now. They’re less about hitting a target and more about enjoying the moment, a leisurely evening stroll with a podcast. And if I skip the walk and accomplish something at home, that is as much of a win as the exercise.

I was surprised at what happened when I quit exercising. I thought I would see dramatic, negative changes in my physique and mental health. I was utterly shocked when it turned out to be quite the opposite. 

As it turns out, sometimes stepping back is actually the way to move forward.