My Scrunchy Approach to Fitness (Because “Something is Better Than Nothing” Actually Works)
January has a funny way of making everyone feel like they need to overhaul their entire life overnight. New routines. New rules. New pressure.
That’s not how I do wellness.
My approach to fitness is scrunchy — sorta structured, sorta flexible, and designed to actually fit into my life. No garage gym. No two-hour workouts. No guilt when I fall off for a bit.
And honestly? It works.
1. I Commit to 30 Minutes
I use a workout app with ~30-minute daily workouts that focus on:
low-weight dumbbells
strength + mobility
consistency over intensity
Thirty minutes feels:
manageable
non-intimidating
easy to restart after a break
If I only have the energy for half? That still counts. If I’m feeling like I could do more? I do another 30-minute session. Scrunchy rule: starting matters more than finishing perfectly.
I recently purchased dumbbells and they are a game changer. I love the variety of weights depending on the muscle group I’m working and the quality feels straight out of a gym.
2. Low Weights, Done Often
I use lighter dumbbells and focus on controlled movements rather than maxing out weight.
Why this works for me:
easier on joints
less recovery time
safer when working out solo
sustainable long-term
Strength adds up when you’re consistent. The workouts I do often include Pilates movement, so I also use ankle weights (that can also be used for wrists!) to elevate the burn. Booty bands are another way to add some intensity when desired. I prefer ones that are made from woven fabric because they are less likely to slide around or break.
3. I Work Out Outside (Because I Don’t Have Space Inside)
I don’t have a garage gym — or even the desire to turn my living room into one.
Instead, I use:
a good mat
an iPad stand (which also holds my iPhone)
my patio
That’s it. Fresh air + natural light makes workouts feel less like a chore and more like a reset. If I had to set up and put away equipment every time, I probably wouldn’t do it.
Because I workout outside on concrete, I prefer using a thicker mat like this one. I just ordered a new one after years of use of my last one, and only because my husband accidentally clipped it with the lawn mower 🤦🏼
4. I Track Calories — Loosely
I use MyFitnessPal to track calories, but not with a perfection mindset.
Some days I go over or don’t log everything. And that’s okay.
Tracking gives me awareness, not rules. It helps me reset without spiraling.
5. I Let the Holidays Be the Holidays
I didn’t work out as much over the holidays. I ate more. I didn’t “make up for it” afterward.
I just…started again.
That mindset shift is everything.
6. The Result (Without Chasing It)
By simply:
moving regularly
lifting light weights consistently
eating with awareness (not restriction)
I ended up losing about 10 pounds over six months.
No crash diets.
No extreme routines.
No burnout.
Just habits that stuck!
7. My Scrunchy Wellness Philosophy
Something > nothing
Consistency > intensity
Flexibility > guilt
This isn’t about punishment or transformation. It’s about feeling stronger in your everyday life.
The same way I approach my home. The same way I approach food. The same way I approach sustainability.
Final Thoughts
If you’re easing back into movement this January, let it be gentle. You don’t need a new personality. You don’t need perfect macros. You don’t need a garage gym.
You just need a starting point.
