Get Active for Life: Issue #8

What's Holding You Back?

September 09, 2025

In this issue:

  • What's Really Holding You Back?

  • Caroline’s Story

  • “Barrier Buster” Technique

  • and more…

Hello there,

What’s Really Holding You Back?

We’ve all been there. You know you should move more, feel better, maybe even lace up those trainers gathering dust in the wardrobe. But somehow, between good intentions and actually doing it, something gets in the way.

The thing is, we’re often our own biggest obstacle. Not because we’re lazy or lack willpower (despite what that inner critic whispers), but because we’re human. And humans are wonderfully complex creatures who’ve evolved some pretty clever ways to keep ourselves safe – even when that “safety” means staying firmly planted on the couch.

Maybe it’s the fear of looking silly at the gym. Perhaps it’s the voice saying you’re “too old,” “too unfit,” or “too busy.” Or maybe you’ve tried before, felt great for a week, then life happened and you’re back to square one, feeling like you’ve failed again.

Here’s what we’ve learned: those barriers aren’t character flaws. They’re just… barriers. And like any obstacle, once you understand what you’re dealing with, you can find a way around, over, or through it. That’s where real change begins - not in superhuman willpower, but in noticing what’s getting in the way and learning how to move past it.

This week, we’re exploring what really holds us back – and more importantly, how ordinary people just like us have found their way forward. Because the truth is, you don’t need to be fearless to get started. You just need to be curious about what’s possible when you take that first small step.

So here’s our challenge for you: identify one barrier that’s been standing in your way. Name it, write it down, and then take one tiny action to push back against it. Maybe it’s a five-minute walk, a phone call to a friend, or even just putting those trainers by the door. Whatever it is, make it small, make it doable, and most of all - make it yours.

👉 What’s your first step going to be this week? Hit reply and tell us. We’d love to hear.

🕺 Interesting People

Meet Caroline

Caroline - Exercise gave her the strength to survive

Exercise literally saved my life. When I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, my lifelong fitness gave me the strength to survive.

Caroline's story proves that exercise isn't just about looking good - it can be the difference between life and death. As a lifelong exerciser who maintained her commitment even through chemotherapy, Caroline demonstrates how fitness becomes medicine when you need it most.

In this powerful conversation, Caroline shares:

• How lifelong exercise created the foundation for cancer survival

• The commitment she made to exercise throughout her entire cancer journey

• How her gym community supported her when she couldn't be around people

• Why she exercised every week during chemo, even if just floor exercises

• The mental health benefits that got her out of bed during treatment

• How her personal trainer gave her gym keys for safe, solo workouts

• Why she can say "hand on heart" that exercise saved her life

Key Quote: "I can honestly say hand on heart that it saved my life throughout the cancer journey. I think because I was pretty fit when I was diagnosed, it gave me the strength and resilience to be able to get through a very difficult period of time."

This isn't about extreme fitness or perfect routines. It's about how consistent, lifelong movement creates a foundation of strength that can carry you through life's biggest challenges.

You can watch our interview with Caroline here.

📝 Health & Wellness News

What we’ve been reading this week

🧠 Poor Sleep and Low Mood Are Top Exercise Barriers, New Study Finds

A recent survey of 546 people across five countries reveals that 42% cite inadequate energy or poor sleep as their main barrier to regular exercise, while 40% blame lack of motivation. The research also found that 93% of respondents recognised the mind-body connection in achieving peak physical performance, suggesting that addressing mental barriers might be just as important as physical ones.

🏃‍♀️ Why “Just Do It” Doesn’t Work: The Psychology Behind Exercise Motivation

New research from Psychology Today reveals that getting motivated to exercise is surprisingly complex because we’re naturally wired to avoid discomfort and conserve energy. The study suggests that successful exercisers don’t rely on motivation alone – they plan for discomfort and value the effort itself, rather than waiting for the perfect moment to feel motivated.

🏋️‍♀️ How You Exercise Affects Your Mental Health More Than How Much

University of Georgia researchers have discovered that the context of exercise – where, why, and with whom you do it – matters just as much as the exercise itself for mental health benefits. The study found that working out at the gym with a friend might boost your mood, but scrubbing floors for work might not have the same effect, even though both involve physical effort.

💪 Exercise Beats Medication for Depression and Anxiety, Major Review Shows

A comprehensive analysis of over 1,000 trials involving 128,000 people has found that exercise is 1.5 times more effective than medication or therapy for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly in older adults. The research suggests that even small amounts of physical activity can provide significant mental health benefits.

🚶‍♀️ Just One Minute of Vigorous Movement Could Add Years to Your Life

New research published in Women’s Health UK suggests that even 60 seconds of vigorous movement daily – like climbing stairs or carrying heavy bags – could significantly cut the risk of early death. The study challenges the notion that you need lengthy workout sessions to see health benefits, making exercise more accessible for busy lifestyles.

🧘‍♀️ Your Personality Might Point You Toward the Perfect Workout

Recent research published in West News Magazine reveals that personality traits significantly influence which types of exercise people enjoy most and stick with long-term. The study found that understanding your personality can help you choose activities you’re more likely to maintain, potentially removing one of the biggest barriers to consistent exercise.

👍 Actionable Tip of the Week

Get around your barriers!

The “Barrier Buster” Technique

We often think our exercise barriers are bigger and more permanent than they actually are. This week, try the “Barrier Buster” technique: write down the three main things that stop you from being active, then for each one, brainstorm the smallest possible workaround.

Worried about looking silly at the gym? Maybe start with YouTube workouts at home. No time? Perhaps try walking meetings or taking the stairs. Too tired after work? Consider a gentle morning stretch routine. The magic isn’t in solving everything perfectly – it’s in proving to yourself that every barrier has at least one tiny crack you can squeeze through.

Try this today: Pick just one barrier and spend five minutes brainstorming three small ways around it. Don’t aim for perfect solutions – aim for possible ones.

❝

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.

Joseph Campbell

😊 Fun, Quirky, Interesting

The other side of Health and Life

🧬 Your Body Carries 10 Times More Bacterial Cells Than Human Cells

Here's a mind-bending fact: you're more bacteria than human! All the bacteria living inside you could fill a half-gallon jug, and most of these microscopic hitchhikers are actually helpful – we couldn't survive without them.

🚀 Astronauts Can't Burp in Space (But They Try!)

Zero gravity creates some weird digestive issues. When astronauts attempt to burp in space, it comes out as a "wet burp" instead of the satisfying gas release we experience on Earth. Space dining just got a lot less appealing!

🎤 Taylor Swift Concerts Actually Cause Small Earthquakes

Swifties really do shake the ground! Scientists have confirmed that Taylor Swift concerts generate seismic activity detectable by earthquake monitoring equipment. The combination of thousands of dancing fans and powerful sound systems creates measurable ground vibrations.

🐾 7 Minutes of Pure Baby Animal Cuteness

National Geographic has compiled the most adorable baby animal footage from around the world, featuring everything from playful meerkat pups to tumbling arctic fox babies. It’s scientifically proven to make you smile (okay, we made that up, but it definitely works).

Thanks for reading!

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Get your own! Subscribe here

How did you like today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

We love hearing from our readers. Do you have a suggestion, idea or some feedback? Tell us about it here.

Disclaimer: The content of this newsletter does not constitute medical advice. You should always take the advice of a qualified health professional as required.