As we step into the new year, I know many of you are feeling that familiar pull to get moving. Maybe it's time for a fitness program that supports your riding, strengthens your seat, or just brings more energy to your days. But let's be real. The pressure to "go hard" or make it perfect can stop us before we start. As an equestrian deep in rider biomechanics and equitation, I've felt it too. The expectation to have it all figured out, to ride flawlessly every time. Here's the truth I've learned. Expertise isn't perfection. It's adaptability. It's showing up, trying, and growing. And that same freedom applies to your fitness.

Ditch the All-or-Nothing Trap

Think about your horse. No partnership is perfect. Some days the canter feels electric. Others, it's two steps back. But you don't quit. You adjust, forgive the off day, and try again. Fitness is no different. Skip the myth that you need an hour-long workout, perfect conditions, or zero slip-ups. Taking 5 minutes to move is better than waiting for the "right" moment that never comes. Progress, not perfection.

I've been there, staring at my mat, thinking "I should do more" until shame won. But when I forgave the messiness? Magic happened. Small moves built joy, strength followed, and suddenly my seat felt steadier, my aids softer. Find the fun. Dance to your playlist, stretch while coffee brews. Make it lighter than you think it needs to be. Logic alone doesn't inspire us to exercise or eat better. We need joy, that spark of feeling good in our bodies. As riders, we know this. A tense seat blocks connection. A playful one flows. Bring that play to fitness. Revel in the endorphin rush after a quick walk, the embodiment that releases a tight hip. Joy turns movement into habit.

Practical Ways to Start (and Keep Going)

Reframe slip-ups as data. Missed a day? Ask, "What can I learn?" Stay curious. "How does this feel today?" Focus on process. Aim to "get better", not flawless. Build community. Share wins (or wobbles) with riders who get it. Start with micro-wins: two minutes of breathwork, standing on one leg while brushing your teeth. These aren't "lesser" efforts.

They're the foundation. Science backs it. Small, consistent actions rewire neural pathways faster than sporadic intensity. Your brain craves the dopamine hit of completion, building momentum.

Tie it to your riding.

That pelvic floor lift? Is the seat bones finding even weight.

Diaphragm breath? Is staying tall through transitions.

Fitness isn't separate. It's your equitation off the horse.

Forgive the imperfect days.

Like when your horse spooks and you grip instead of breathe. You don't berate yourself forever. You note it, adjust, ride on. Same with fitness. Perfectionism is the real saboteur. It whispers, "Conditions aren't right. Do it tomorrow". Tomorrow becomes never.

Choose action over ideal. Five imperfect minutes beats zero perfect hours.

Embracing the Journey: A Deeper Invitation

This new year, give yourself permission to start small. Your body, and your horse, will thank you. The best riders (and movers) never stop learning. Here's to your joyful, imperfect progress. Imagine three months from now. You've stacked those micro-moments into real strength. Your seat absorbs motion without bracing. Aids come from centre, not force. Lifts feel effortless. That's the gift of consistent, kind movement.

No grand overhaul required. Just showing up for yourself like you do for your horse.

Curious, patient, persistent.

Progress isn't linear. It's a spiral of try, adjust, celebrate. Lean into community for those wobbly days. Share your first awkward stretch. Laugh about the mat that slipped. That's where real growth lives. Drop the "shoulds". Pick one tiny move today. Feel its ripple in the saddle tomorrow. You've got the heart of a rider. Now ride your fitness with the same grace. One forgiving step at a time.

What's one tiny move you'll try this week? Comment below. I'd love to cheer you on.