Diana Hill and Katy Bowman’s I Know I Should Exercise, But…: 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them tackles the exact excuses most of us carry—no time, no motivation, embarrassment, discomfort, screens, or unsupportive environments—and treats them with compassion instead of shame. The premise is simple: the problem is not laziness, it is how we relate to our thoughts, feelings, and context when movement is hard.
The structure is straightforward and practical. Each chapter names a common barrier and then offers tools to work with it, pulling from psychological flexibility, values-based action, and a realistic understanding of how bodies and environments actually work. I appreciated how the authors honor real constraints (time, safety, resources) while still offering ways forward that do not depend on perfect conditions.
The tone is especially strong. Hill and Bowman invite the reader into curiosity rather than pressure, and the book consistently nudges you toward smaller, more doable steps instead of “all or nothing” plans. The suggestions are grounded and actionable, and the focus on values makes the movement goals feel more personal and sustainable.
One takeaway that stood out for me: I usually work out before work, but on two mornings last week I slept through my alarm. Both days I told myself I’d go to the gym after work—and of course I didn’t. The book helped me see that instead of relying on a plan I already know won’t happen, I can reframe the day by folding movement into it—parking farther away, walking more, stretching, or doing brief bodyweight exercises between tasks.
My one criticism is that a few responses to certain barriers felt out of touch. In those cases, the recommendations seemed to assume levels of privilege, flexibility, or safety that many people dealing with those barriers simply don’t have. While the advice may work for some readers, it occasionally felt disconnected from the realities it was trying to address. That said, this is a small portion of the book, and it didn’t undermine the overall value for me.
This isn’t a book for anyone looking for a detailed fitness plan. But if you struggle to exercise because of limited time or other constraints, its focus on mindset and behavioral flexibility can help you build more realistic consistency. If you want a kind, practical, and psychologically grounded approach to moving more, this book delivers.
I listened to the audiobook, read by the authors. Their voices add authenticity and reinforce the book’s compassionate tone, and the conversational delivery makes the ideas easy to absorb. For busy readers, the audiobook format works especially well.