Medical Fitness Consulting

Every Thursday evening, someone usually says,

"I'm so glad I made it."

Then shoes come off.

Mats are unrolled.

The room becomes quiet.

For a few minutes, there's very little movement.

At least, that's what it looks like.

But so much is happening.

Breathing slows.

Shoulders soften.

Busy minds begin to settle.

Over the years, I've come to believe that before we move our bodies, we first have to arrive in them.

That's what this week's Letter from Lisa is about.

💗 If you've ever felt like you needed a place to simply pause for a little while, I think you'll enjoy this one.

📖 Read the blog here:
https://www.lisaworkman.com/bloglettersfromlisa/the-first-five-minutes

🐻 Have you ever started seeing something everywhere?

You hear a new phrase.

Then someone else says it.

You read it in an article.

Suddenly, it seems to be everywhere.

That happened to me this week.

I was listening to a conversation between Brené Brown and Adam Grant, and one phrase from their discussion kept sticking with me:

"Just manageable difficulty."

Once I heard it, I couldn't stop noticing it.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized it's something I've been helping clients find for years—even though I hadn't been calling it that.

When it comes to movement, we often think we need to push harder.

But what if the real goal is finding a challenge that's just manageable?

Not so much that your body feels overwhelmed.

Not so little that there's no opportunity to adapt.

Just enough for your body today.

That "just right" amount changes with pain, stress, sleep, energy, recovery, and everything else life brings.

I wrote more about this idea—and why Goldilocks may have been onto something all along.

🔗 Read the blog:
https://www.lisaworkman.com/bloglettersfromlisa/have-you-ever-started-seeing-something-everywhere

I'd love to hear from you...

💬 Has there ever been a concept that suddenly seemed to appear everywhere once you learned about it?

What is your body telling you—and what story might be making that message harder to hear?

Sometimes your body is genuinely asking you to do less, choose something different or rest. At other times, fear or a difficult past experience may be telling you not to try at all.

Knowing the difference isn’t always easy.

In this week’s Letter from Lisa, I’m exploring how we can use evidence, body awareness and even a two-minute experiment to decide what movement might be right for us today.

Because changing the plan doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It means you are learning what might be right for you now.

Read it here:

What Is the Evidence—and What Is the Story? Last week, I asked you to consider a question: ​ How much is enough today? ​ ​ A member of our email community replied to say that she agreed wholeheartedly with the message—and that it was a...

Five thoughtful questions to ask before choosing someone to support you with exercise and persistent pain.

Credentials matter—but so do curiosity, communication, adaptability, and a willingness to understand the whole person. The right professional should help you feel heard, build confidence in movement, and create an approach that reflects your individual needs rather than placing you into a predetermined program.

Thank you, Amber Kuzyk, for sharing such a helpful resource. These are important questions for anyone living with persistent pain—or supporting someone who is.

https://criticalmovementyyc.substack.com/p/5-questions-to-ask

What to Ask... Before Choosing a Trainer When You Live With Persistent Pain

How much movement is enough today?

The answer may not be the same as it was yesterday—and that doesn’t mean you’re failing or falling behind.

Some days, your body may be ready for more. Other days, a shorter walk, a few gentle movements or some additional rest may be exactly what supports you.

This week’s Letter from Lisa is an invitation to step away from all-or-nothing thinking and ask a more helpful question:

“What does my body need today?”

Read How Much Is Enough? here:

https://www.lisaworkman.com/bloglettersfromlisa/how-much-is-enough