transaction or investment? A new way to think about movement.

Let’s talk about the difference between a transaction and an investment—not in terms of money or your personal finances, but in terms of fitness, movement, exercise.

I was using my walking pad the other day and like any piece of cardio equipment, it displays my workout metrics—duration, distance, and calories burned. When I looked down and saw that calorie number, it took me back to a time when that was the only number that mattered.

I used to hyperfixate on calories burned, treating movement as a transaction—staying on the treadmill until I hit a specific number. It didn’t matter how I felt. I could be energized and want to keep going, or exhausted and ready to stop, but that number dictated when my workout was "done."

Working out like this was exhausting. I wasn’t moving for my well-being—I was moving to “earn” or “burn off” food. It was a constant this-for-that exchange, and it drained the joy from movement. And, it wasn’t a sustainable approach that would keep me consistent in my journey for the years to come.

What if we changed our mindset? What if, instead of seeing workouts as a transaction, we saw them as an investment?

An investment in our future health, strength, and longevity.

An investment that counts—whether it’s 5 minutes, 15, 45, or 90.

Because every time you show up—whether for a short walk, a group fitness class, or a strength session—you’re contributing to the future version of yourself. And, it all adds up. It all counts.

This mindset shift is key to building a sustainable, joyful, and life-giving relationship with movement. Instead of chasing numbers, you can trust that every bit of movement is an investment toward a stronger, more resilient you.

So, what do you think? Transaction or investment? Let’s talk in the comments!