January. The time of year when we tend to put pressure on ourselves to improve. To make resolutions. To strive to do better than the year before. To become our best self (whatever the f#@$ that means). Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about (achievable) goals and doing better. I mean, I’m a coach, so you know – I better be into this stuff. It’s just that we usually go about it in a way that leads to feeling like a failure. Striving to become your “best self” is inherently painful. Because no matter how good you get, you’re always comparing the here and now to a best version that is likely impossible to achieve. And so - it is never good enough. Perhaps it’s time to toss the idea of a “best self” in the proverbial trash along with a big … [Read more...] about Best Self. Burn it Down.
Two Modes
There are times to preserve – and there are times to push. 2021 was a year of preservation. A year of not backsliding too much. A year of leaning on foundational habits (whole foods as much as possible, prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, getting outside for fresh air and walks). Given that I work with most clients for a year, we’re bound to bump up against challenging periods. It can be tempting to let healthy habits slip entirely when life is hard. To check out. To stop showing up for ourselves. Or – we can practice preservation during the trying phases of life. One of the many lessons I learned while caring for my mom was how to maintain a baseline level of self-care when bandwidth was consistently low. There were no … [Read more...] about Two Modes
None of Us Are Okay
It’s been one hell of a year. For me. For everyone – as we continue to live our lives as normally as possible amid an evolving pandemic and all the uncertainty that brings. My friend Cindy said it perfectly when I met her for coffee last week. “None of us are okay.” Amen to that. I have some sad news to share my friends. Despite all the flights back and forth to New Jersey to help take care of Mom this year. Despite everyone doing the best they could - my sweet Mama lost her battle with cancer a little over a week ago. I am sad, but I am also so very grateful for the lessons and memories and outpourings of love. There is so much beauty, even during the most difficult of times. If we’re willing to look … [Read more...] about None of Us Are Okay
Behavior Change Doesn’t Have to Suck
Since starting my business, I’ve promised to keep it real. Health related content tends to lean idealistic. I mean, I’m a dang Health Coach and I find myself rolling my eyes at 90% of the articles and blog posts out there. One of the reasons (and perhaps THE main reason) so many people give up on behavior change is because they feel like it requires drastic habit transformation. When the Health Coach you’re following on Instagram is only posting pics of being in the gym and eating lean protein and veggies, well – it feels entirely out of reach for most of us. I’m here to say you can make progress (and sustain that progress) without giving up bread or Hazy IPA’s forever. To be fair, if your goal is to be fitness competition … [Read more...] about Behavior Change Doesn’t Have to Suck