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Why Small Steps Work: The Story Behind the 5×5 Challenge

Oct 02, 2026

 

From the beginning, BUFFnation has been guided by a simple belief: meaningful change often begins with one small step

 

More than 20 years ago, I attended a personal development conference where I learned how focusing on one small action can make getting started feel far less overwhelming. So, I tried it.

Instead of thinking about the 10 or 20 things I needed to change, I focused on one small step I could take that day.

It worked, and over the next two decades, that idea became one of the guiding principles behind The Buff Mom which has now evolved to BUFFnation.

 

One small step, not 20, 10 or even five

Small steps aren’t only about completing an action.

Every time you do what you said you would do, you strengthen your relationship with yourself. You build self-trust and begin to believe, When I make a commitment to myself, I follow through.

That is also one of the fastest ways to build confidence.

Confidence doesn’t always come before we take action. Often, it grows because we took action—especially when that action felt realistic and achievable.

 

The idea behind our free 5×5 Challenge

I wanted to create something that would help women over 40 reconnect with themselves, experience an early win and begin building momentum without feeling overwhelmed.

That is how the BUFFnation 5×5 Challenge was born:

Five workouts. Five days. Just five minutes a day.

These simple five-minute workouts for women over 40 are designed to help you move your body, build strength and prove to yourself that you can begin.

Five minutes may seem small, but it still counts.

And it may be the step that helps you show up again tomorrow.

 

If you’d like to take part, the challenge is completely free. Click the link below to begin, and please let us know how it goes. We'd love others to join too. So please share with your friends!

START MY FREE 5×5 CHALLENGE

Consistency over intensity. Always.

Leslie

Ready to take your first small step?

Join the free BUFFnation 5×5 Challenge and discover what just five minutes of movement can do.

Five workouts. Five days. Five minutes a day. Created for women 40+.

START MY FREE 5×5