Over the past few weeks, I’ve been shifting my mindset to better support my body. As you know, Lauren and I have been navigating our own journey with our hormones and overall health. One key realization has been the importance of tuning in to our bodies and finding movement that makes us feel good—without overdoing workouts or obsessing over everything we eat.
On social media, it often feels like there’s always someone pushing the latest workout program or diet trend. In the past, we’ve jumped on those bandwagons, thinking they’d deliver the same results for us. But time and time again, we’ve realized those approaches aren’t sustainable. The truth is, every body is different, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people thrive on tracking macros and having specific guidelines to follow—it keeps them focused and on track. But for others, that kind of structure can create unnecessary stress or even lead to unhealthy obsessions.
I wish the messages on social media emphasized that each person’s path to results can look completely different. It starts with asking the right questions: What workouts do you enjoy the most? When did you feel your best? What type of movement leaves you feeling energized? For some, a simple walk might be the perfect starting point because their body and mind respond best to slower, gentle movement. Others might thrive with fast-paced HIIT workouts, using them as a way to burn off steam and enjoy the intensity.
For me personally, I’ve noticed that tracking specific macros or logging my food tends to make me overly fixated—constantly thinking about my next meal. Restricting myself from eating certain foods or following rigid schedules around meals only added stress and made me feel worse overall. That said, there was a point early in my health journey where tracking was helpful because I needed to become more aware of what I was putting into my body. It served as a valuable tool at that stage, but now I’ve learned to let go of the rigidity and focus on what truly works for me.
Each morning, I take a moment to check in with myself and figure out what will make me feel my best that day. If I’m really tired or didn’t sleep well the night before, I usually find that a long walk helps gently wake up my body. The other day, I woke up feeling energized and knew my body was craving something more intense, so I ran three miles and followed it with a 30-minute strength workout. This morning, it was sunny, and I felt like walking would be the perfect way to clear my head and boost my mood. As I walked, I started to feel more energized and decided to follow it up with a new strength routine. Lately, I’ve discovered just how good I feel after combining a walk with a Pilates class—it’s like my body is giving itself a hug, as funny as that sounds. That feeling is something I want to hold onto, so I know I’ll be incorporating more of that into my routine.
When it comes to eating, I’ll admit it’s still something I struggle with. Some days, I’m so busy that I don’t eat breakfast until 2 PM and end up skipping lunch entirely. Other days, I wake up absolutely starving. What I try to focus on consistently, though, is making sure I’m fueling my body with some form of protein. Whether it’s a smoothie with protein powder or a salad with chicken, I prioritize that as my base. I’m not a big fan of savory breakfasts, so I naturally gravitate toward sweeter options. A fruit smoothie with vegan protein or a protein bar is usually my go-to. I’ve noticed that when I prioritize protein, I feel much more satiated and don’t find myself reaching for snacks as often. It’s a simple shift, but it makes a big difference in how I feel throughout the day.
Eating intuitively takes time and a deep understanding of what your body needs to feel its best. Sure, I’d rather eat a cookie over a salad sometimes, but I try to focus on how I’ll feel afterward. If I choose to have the cookie, I remind myself not to feel guilty about it because I know that about 80% of the time, I’m making healthy choices. That said, I also know that if I were to eat a cookie every day, I’d likely start feeling sluggish and experience mid-day crashes from the blood sugar spikes. It’s about making intentional decisions and letting my body guide me each day toward what it needs. Interestingly, the more I listen to my body, the more I find myself craving clean, whole foods because I know they’ll leave me feeling my best.
If any part of this resonates with you, focus on what truly makes you feel your best and make that a priority. Take the time to reflect—what types of food leave you feeling energized instead of weighed down? What kinds of movement invigorate you rather than exhaust you? Start there, and I promise your body will thank you.
Remember, movement is movement, and any form of it is good for your body. What works for you may shift over time, and that’s completely normal. One year, you might love running because it feels amazing, but later you might find yourself craving slower, more restorative workouts like Pilates. That’s okay. Keep tuning in and honoring what your body needs in the moment—it’s always evolving, and when you listen, it will support you in return.
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