At some point during our work, all of my health coaching clients ask me the same question… “What should I be doing to lose weight // feel better in my skin // get results?” And while it’s super tempting to answer their questions with a laundry list of suggestions, I know better. There comes a point for all of us in our journey where we need to stop looking outside ourselves for the answers on what is going to make us feel {and look} our best and start FEELING the wisdom that’s already inside us.
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So instead, I have them take a moment, close their eyes and turn inward – feeling their breath & body and ask what answers come up if they ask themselves a simple question… “What do I need right now?”
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I know…it’s not the “easy” answer you want and it’s so simple it seems almost stupid, right? It’s definitely NOT a follow-along blueprint that you can immediately execute and feel like you’re making progress because you’re doing all the things you think you *should* to doing to “be healthy”. But seriously, when has that EVER worked for you LONG-TERM? Like beyond the “diet” or before you burned out on that exercise binge?
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Following someone else’s diet or plan for your body & life isn’t a lifelong, REAL LIFE strategy because as women, we are cyclical, not linear beings and we are both unique and ever-changing. This is one reason why it’s so important for us to have a daily practice that matches our nature and allows us to tap into signs & signals our body is sending us {that we usually ignore}.
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This overly simple, yet life-changing question will actually get you where you want to go (intuitively!), and here’s a great way to start putting putting it into practice…
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What if for every meal (when choosing to eat) and every workout (when deciding/scheduling what type of workout to do), you asked first, “what do I need right now, today, right now, in this moment?” In other words, what if you led with CURIOSITY, versus engaging in a dictatorship with your body?
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This in-the-moment check-in allows you to adjust to how you’re feeling ✨right now ✨ – which is key to a healthy life & body you ❤️ – because how you feel {physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically} changes DAILY. What you *need* on all levels, CHANGES daily. And it’s impacted by food, sleep, hormones, your thoughts, habits, your cycle and so much more).
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We all have a lot on our plates. We plan meals and schedule workouts because our lives are full. Even that though, doesn’t inhibit our ability to be inquisitive, CHOOSE and engage in a loving, mutual relationship with body & mind.
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If I’m feeling depleted and exhausted, anything high intensity or heavy is going to make that worse (affecting hormones in particular – which drives all weight loss and how we feel on a physiological level). In these moments, checking in with what I *need* would likely tell me that I instead need things like sleep, nourishing + whole foods, time spent outside, a bath, or some restorative/gentle yoga + stretching (even barre, lighter/muscle endurance-based strength training or Pilates).
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Likewise, it’s equally important – when I have the energy and *feel* like it – for me to feel the depth of my strength, to push my edge to understand my capabilities and feel the aliveness that comes from growth (in muscle & spirit) when I challenge myself to a workout that demands more from me physically (and mentally ?).
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The point is – your body will work FOR you, you will feel better and in alignment with your desires if you LISTEN to your body’s needs on a daily basis versus dictating how it will move & what it will eat, in disregard for what you actually need and/or feel. Be curious to uncover what feels best on the daily and you WILL feel better, on the daily. The biggest little gift you can give yourself this year, I promise. ✨
A good day to keep working on an exercise regime, and eating regime that makes me feel good. In a way Valentines Day means more than spreading love to one person but to a lot of people, as your post has done. My wife, Dianne, at dinner last night mentioned how it was a good in that my workouts have been more varied instead of just walking or just trying to eat less. A variety of exercising and eating and not becoming so regimented about it has felt good and I know the the rewards will come. Even if I throw a rest day in there, as this old body needs more rest than in the earlier days.
Thanks for reaching out Whitney and thanks for letting me ramble.
Thanks Carl! Yes, following what “feels good” is always the best method – including rest (and it will be different every day & year).