You don't need an hour in the gym, an elaborate fitness plan or a complete lifestyle overhaul to start feeling better. Sometimes, the biggest changes begin with just five minutes.
There's something about November that can make looking after ourselves feel a little harder.
The mornings are darker, the evenings arrive earlier, the temperature drops and suddenly the idea of getting out for a walk or rolling out your Pilates mat doesn't feel quite so appealing.
Comfort food becomes more tempting, social occasions start filling the diary and, before we know it, the healthy routines we've worked hard to establish can begin to slip.
Sound familiar?
But here's something I'd love you to consider.
What if you stopped thinking about everything you need to do to get healthier and started focusing on one small thing you could do today?
Not an hour-long workout.
Not a restrictive diet.
Not a complicated fitness programme.
Just a little movement.
Why consistency matters more than intensity
We often associate getting fitter with doing more. Longer workouts, harder sessions, heavier weights and pushing ourselves to the limit.
But fitness doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach.
Regular movement, even in shorter sessions, can contribute to better physical health, improved mobility, muscular strength, cardiovascular fitness and overall wellbeing.
The key is finding something you can realistically maintain.
Five minutes of Pilates might not feel like much, but it's five minutes spent connecting with your body, moving your joints, engaging your muscles and creating an opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life.
And when you repeat that behaviour, it becomes easier to establish a routine.
Consistency is built through repetition, not perfection.
Why 5–10 minutes of Pilates is a great place to start
One of the things I love about Pilates is its adaptability.
You don't need lots of equipment, a huge amount of space or even a dedicated exercise room.
You can practise at home, in your living room, before work, during your lunch break or whenever you can find a little time for yourself.
Short Pilates sessions can help you work on:
Core strength: Developing better awareness and control of your abdominal and supporting muscles.
Posture: Improving postural awareness and strengthening muscles that support your spine.
Mobility: Moving your joints through comfortable ranges of movement.
Balance and coordination: Developing body awareness and control.
Strength: Challenging your muscles using your own body weight or simple equipment.
Breathing and relaxation: Taking time to reconnect with your breath and reduce the feeling of rushing around.
And perhaps one of the biggest benefits is that a short session can feel much more achievable when motivation is low.
You don't have to negotiate with yourself about finding an entire hour.
You just need to find five minutes.
Building healthy habits without the overwhelm
If you've ever started a new fitness routine with enormous enthusiasm, only to find yourself losing motivation a couple of weeks later, you're certainly not alone.
Often, we make the starting point too complicated.
We decide we're going to exercise every day, completely change our eating habits, drink more water, walk 10,000 steps and get eight hours of sleep.
All wonderful intentions, but trying to change everything at once can become overwhelming.
Instead, try creating a few small daily habits.
For example:
Complete a five-minute Pilates session in the morning.
Take a short walk during your lunch break.
Add an extra portion of vegetables to one meal.
Spend five minutes stretching before bed.
Put your phone down and take a few mindful breaths.
You don't need to do everything perfectly.
You simply need to keep showing up.
Over time, these small actions can become part of your everyday routine rather than another item on your to-do list.
Why November is a brilliant time to start
We often hear people talk about waiting until January to make changes.
The new year, the new goals, the new fitness routine.
But why wait?
November gives us an opportunity to establish some positive habits before the busyness of December arrives.
Rather than allowing the darker days to become an excuse to stop moving, we can use this time to focus on ourselves.
Not because we need to earn our Christmas dinner or undo anything we've eaten or drunk.
But because our bodies deserve care throughout the year.
Especially as we move through our 40s, 50s and beyond, maintaining strength, mobility, balance and cardiovascular fitness becomes increasingly important.
We don't need to punish our bodies into fitness.
We need to support them.
Introducing the PPJ Club 21-Day Challenge
This is exactly why I've created something a little different for November.
Welcome to the Pilates Pyjama Club 21-Day Challenge!
Starting on 1st November, we're spending 21 days building a healthier movement habit together.
And I've deliberately kept things simple.
For just £15, you'll receive 21 days of access to a brand-new Pilates video every day.
Each session is just 5–10 minutes long.
That's it!
No complicated programming, no pressure to spend hours exercising and no need to travel anywhere.
You can complete your daily workout from the comfort of your own home, in your pyjamas if you like!
The idea is to make movement accessible, achievable and enjoyable.
It's about finding a little time for yourself, creating consistency and discovering how much better you can feel when you make movement part of your everyday life.
And because it's all delivered through our private PPJ Club community, you'll have a supportive space to be part of along the way.
What's included?
21 brand-new Pilates videos.
A new workout to complete every day.
Short sessions lasting just 5–10 minutes.
21 days of access.
A private online community.
Support and encouragement along the way.
Investment: Just £15 for the full 21 days.
JOIN THE PPJ CLUB 21-DAY CHALLENGE
A little reminder before you go…
You don't have to wait until Monday.
You don't have to wait until January.
You don't have to feel motivated every single day.
And you certainly don't have to be particularly fit to begin.
Sometimes, the most important thing you can do for yourself is simply start.
Five minutes today. Five minutes tomorrow. And another five minutes the day after.
Because those little moments of looking after yourself can become something much bigger.
Your future self doesn't need you to be perfect. She just needs you to keep showing up.
See you on the mat!
Tracy x
Founder of Serendipity Wellness® and creator of Somalates® and the Pilates Pyjama Club.
About Serendipity Wellness®
Serendipity Wellness provides Pilates classes, wellness coaching, women’s health support, and holistic wellbeing services across Warwickshire. Founded by Tracy Richardson, the business supports women through movement, mindfulness, midlife wellness, and community connection.
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Tracy Richardson MSc is a movement and wellness specialist with a background in therapy, Pilates, and wellbeing, she combines evidence-based practice with a nurturing, mindful approach. Tracy’s mission is to empower individuals to move with awareness, release tension, and cultivate sustainable health, strength, and inner calm. When she’s not teaching or writing, you’ll often find her walking her dog, practising Pilates, or sipping a calming cup of tea.
