…There’s another kind of lottery, one that many of us have won without even realizing it: the lottery of being born in a time and place of relative privilege and safety.

Whether it’s due to physical exhaustion, emotional stress, or a simple lack of motivation, days like these can make fitness feel like a grueling challenge. Cultivating self-empathy during these times can make a profound difference, helping you approach exercise with kindness and resilience rather than frustration and self-criticism.