An Unexpected Way to…get in shape
Struggling to get motivated for exercise? Here’s how you can get in shape while still being ‘lazy’ 98% of the time…
HOW CAN YOU GET IN SHAPE WHILE BEING ‘LAZY’?
Regular exercise brings incredible rewards; greater energy, improved confidence, sharper focus and better overall health. For some, these benefits come naturally thanks to deep-rooted traits like focus or playfulness, which reduce the barriers to exercise. For these people, exercise fits naturally into their day; those with a focused personality thrive on setting clear goals and achieving them with discipline, while playful individuals turn exercise into enjoyable social activities. These dynamics make it easier to stick to fitness routines and reap the rewards of an active lifestyle.
“Those who channel their focus, energy, and playful curiosity into movement naturally thrive, enjoying both the process and the rewards of exercise.”
But many others lack the drive to exercise and they pay the price of inaction; energy stagnates, health declines and they are consumed with feelings of guilt or frustration. These struggles become part of a self-perpetuating cycle that is often intrinsically connected to the person’s primal nature, with behaviours like comfort-seeking and overthinking making it difficult to get started. People with a calm personality struggle to prioritise movement over relaxation, while overthinkers might become paralysed by fear of failure. Regardless of the cause, the effect is the same - exercise gets put on the sidelines and your body suffers.
If you’re one someone who struggles to get in shape, here’s an unexpected way to overcome your problems, evolved in nature over millions of years…
BE LIKE THE CHEETAH
Picture a cheetah poised on the savannah, its muscles coiled like springs. With a sudden burst, it sprints—laser-focused, powerful, unstoppable. This could be you in the gym, or by the pool, or on the running track.
The cheetah is one of nature’s most extraordinary animals known for its unmatched speed. With a top speed of 70mph it is the fastest land predator, yet it’s not just its speed that we can learn from - it’s the animal’s efficiency. The cheetah knows when to sprint and when to rest, conserving energy and using it at the exact moment it’s needed. This balance between explosive effort and purposeful recovery is the key to its survival, and you can do the same.
We can use the cheetah’s strategy by applying the same principle to our fitness routines. By dedicating just 2% of your day—about 30 minutes—to short, high-intensity exercise bursts, you can achieve incredible health benefits while embracing “recovery mode” (i.e being lazy) the remaining 98% of the time. Using this approach, you focus on quality over quantity, scheduling non-negotiable windows for exercise and utilising effective mental transitions to tap into your primal energy. This balance allows you to thrive physically and mentally while enjoying the rest of your day guilt-free.
Serena Williams: An Embodiment of ‘Be like the Cheetah’
One of the most famous tennis players of all time with 23 Grand Slam titles, Serena Williams, is testament to this philosophy. Her dominance on the court wasn’t just a result of talent - it’s in large part thanks to her ability to balance intense effort with intentional recovery, embodying the “be like the cheetah” strategy. Serena trained with short, explosive sessions that mimic the high-intensity demands of a match, then prioritised recovery through stretching, massage, and mental rejuvenation. This approach not only powered her legendary performances but also sustained her longevity over two decades at the peak of a demanding professional career. If it has helped Serena, it can help you.
To help you ‘Be Like the Cheetah’, here’s a 3-step daily action you can start now…
STEP 1
Set a Non-Negotiable Time
Schedule a specific time each day for 20–30 minutes of focused exercise. Research shows that consistent scheduling helps form habits by reducing decision fatigue and building discipline. By committing to this “sprint window,” you prioritise movement without overthinking, ensuring it becomes a natural part of your routine.
STEP 2
Prime your Mind
Before exercising, spend a few minutes getting yourself into the ‘cheetah mindset’—focused, energised, and ready for action. This is where our coaches can help you, finding the key traits in your primal nature that you can draw on to bring out your exercise instinct, getting motivated even when you don’t feel like it.
STEP 3
Recover with Purpose
Follow your exercise with light recovery activities, like stretching or walking, and prioritise hydration and rest. Recovery reduces muscle fatigue, supports repair, and lowers the risk of injury. According to fitness science, active recovery also improves long-term performance by preparing your body and mind for the next effort, so there’s no guilty being ‘lazy’ 98% of the time as long as you consistently unleash your inner cheetah.
NEED HELP? BOOK A PRIMAL NATURE COACHING SESSION
If you’re ready to transform your fitness journey and unlock your primal potential, book a discovery session with our coaches today.
By drawing on your natural strengths and using strategies inspired by your primal instincts, our coaches provide personalised solutions to help you achieve your goals. With expert guidance and tailored action plans, you’ll not only build a sustainable fitness routine but also rediscover the joy and rewards of movement. Let us help you unlock your potential and thrive like the cheetah!