Lauren Saint-Louis is a fitness and nutrition coach and founder of LSL Fitness. She specializes in helping today’s high-performing professionals build fitness-forward lifestyles and sustainable habits and overcome the “all-or-nothing mentality” when it comes to behavior change.
Your greatest asset is not a stock, property, or business, it is you. Fitness is not about punishment or perfection; it is an act of self-care that builds resilience, boosts energy, and enhances your quality of life. By prioritizing movement, you unlock freedom, vitality, and a deeper connection to your potential. Are you ready to invest in the one asset you cannot replace?
Stop looking at fitness as a punishment
If you had a multi-million dollar investment, you would protect it, nurture it, and set it up for long-term success. But your greatest asset is not a stock, property, or business, it is you.
Your body is the vessel for everything you create, do, and experience in this life. Yet too often, people treat fitness as a punishment, a necessary evil rather than an act of self-love.
Shift that mindset. Fitness is not punishment; it is about fostering longevity and treating yourself like the high-value individual you are.
Before modern life, movement was not an option, it was life
For most of human history, movement was built into daily life. Our ancestors walked, ran, climbed, and carried because they had to. Exercise was not a separate activity because life itself required physical effort.
Fast forward to today, and everything is optimized for comfort. We take escalators instead of climbing stairs, order groceries instead of carrying them, and drive instead of walking to our destination. The result is that we have to schedule movement. And because exercise feels disconnected from daily life and all the things we need to get done, we resist it.
But here is the truth: fitness is not unnatural. A lack of movement is. And the sooner you embrace exercise as a privilege rather than a chore, the sooner you unlock the freedom that comes with it.
Fitness creates freedom
Your body can be either an asset or a liability. You get to decide which one it will be.
When you train, you are not just “working out,” you are giving yourself more lifetime. Some people argue that a longer life will mean more time near the end of one’s life spent in pain, being sick, or grappling with the loss of independence. But physical activity can extend your health span, the time in your life when you are feeling generally well and maintaining your independence.
Freedom from disease and injury: Strength training and cardiovascular fitness reduce the risk of chronic illness, joint pain, and mobility issues.
Freedom to eat more (and enjoy it): When your metabolism is efficient, food becomes fuel, not something to fear or overanalyze.
Freedom to live on your terms: A strong, capable body means you can do more, travel, play with your kids, build your business, and experience life fully.
If you think fitness is restrictive, imagine the limitations that come with not taking care of your body.
The ultimate act of self-love
You would not neglect something valuable. You would not let your car run on empty or fail to maintain an expensive watch. Your health is the most valuable thing you own, it deserves that same level of care.
Fitness is not just about aesthetics; it is a reflection of how you treat yourself. If you find yourself resisting movement, it is worth asking: Why am I unwilling to take care of myself?
Exercise sharpens your mind, improves your mood, and strengthens your resilience. It is not just about physical strength; it is mental, emotional, and even spiritual. When you take care of your body, you are sending a message to yourself: I am worth the effort.
Self-care is your responsibility
Modern medicine is incredible, but it was never meant to replace personal responsibility. Many of the leading causes of death, such as Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cardiovascular disease, are related to lifestyle choices. That means fitness is not just about aesthetics or performance; it is preventive health care.
Exercise is not a failsafe against illness or injury, but it can significantly improve health and recovery in these instances. For example, my dad spent five months in the hospital battling serious complications that could have taken his life. However, because he had prioritized strength training and proper nutrition for years beforehand, his body had the resilience to fight and recover.
You do not need perfection. He only did simple workouts at home twice per week to reap the long-term benefits. Small, consistent effort is enough to change your trajectory.
Movement lowers stress, improves digestion, and balances hormones.
Strength training protects bones, joints, and muscle mass as you age.
Cardio strengthens your heart and lungs, reducing your risk of chronic illness.
A well-trained body does not just look good; it functions better.
A 100 percent guaranteed way to feel better every time
How often have you finished a workout and regretted it? Almost never. Movement changes your entire state physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is the closest thing to a guaranteed mood booster. Yet most people go through life never experiencing how good their body is designed to feel.
Instead, they accept low energy, brain fog, and chronic stiffness or pain. But once you prioritize fitness, you unlock a new level of energy and clarity. You realize that feeling amazing is not just for athletes or fitness models; it is available to you, right now.
You are the investment, act like it
Everything in your life, including your career, relationships, and experiences, depends on your ability to show up physically and mentally. If you start treating yourself as the most valuable thing in your life, everything else levels up.
The best part? You do not need perfection. You do not need to train like a professional athlete. You just need to show up for yourself consistently, with the understanding that fitness is not something you "have to do"; it is something you get to do.
Are you ready to start investing in the greatest asset you own?
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Read more from Lauren Saint-Louis
Lauren Saint-Louis, Fitness & Nutrition Coach
Lauren Saint-Louis is an Exercise Physiologist and fitness & nutrition coach based in NYC. She specializes in behavior and lifestyle change, habit development and is passionate about helping clients overcome the “all or nothing mentality”. She founded LSL Fitness to help today’s high-performing professionals elevate the version of themself that they bring to their career and life.
