Sarah, a 34-year-old nurse, collapsed onto her couch after a 12-hour shift. Her body ached, and her eyelids felt like weights. The last thing she wanted was to lace up her sneakers. But after weeks of skipping workouts, she committed to a 10-minute walk—just enough to say she moved. To her surprise, that short stroll lifted her mental fog and reignited her energy. By week three, those walks turned into jogs. “It felt like unlocking a secret,” she says.
Stories like Sarah’s are powerful reminders for anyone wondering how to get motivated to exercise when tired. The answer often lies not in waiting for energy to appear, but in starting small. Dr. Manisha Mittal, a fatigue specialist, explains this phenomenon: “Movement creates momentum. Even light activity increases blood flow, which combats exhaustion.” Studies show that 68% of people with chronic fatigue report improved stamina after adopting consistent, low-intensity routines.