Life is busy. It often feels like there’s never enough time in the day. For many women, fitness and nutrition can end up feeling like just another item on an already overwhelming to-do list. But here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to achieving a healthy lifestyle. The key is finding what works for your life—something that feels sustainable, not stressful. Dare we even say… fun?
Embrace Your Unique Lifestyle
We’re all navigating different seasons of life. Some days, it might feel like a win to squeeze in a 10-minute walk or eat something healthy. Other days, you might crush a 45-minute workout or get in a full week of nutritious meals. Both scenarios are wins because they reflect what works for you in that moment.
The first step is letting go of the idea that there’s a "perfect" way to do fitness or nutrition. The reality is that a healthy lifestyle looks different for everyone. What works for your best friend or a social media influencer might not work for you—and that’s okay.
Start Small and Build Momentum
One of the biggest challenges to starting a fitness or nutrition routine is the feeling that you have to overhaul your life all at once.
But small, consistent changes can lead to big results over time. Here are a couple simple suggestions to help you get started:
Fitness: I personally love step tracking. Regardless of accuracy, many women have found it extremely helpful. It gives you a really great general starting point for how much you’re moving, and more importantly, goals, so you can keep challenging yourself. Start with a daily 5000 step goal. Then up it to 6500, 8000, 10000 etc. Adding as much movement into your day as possible is a great way for anyone to get started.
Nutrition: Start by learning the basics of what goes into a healthy balanced plate of food. Using my example plate below, try to become aware of what and how much you’re actually eating. Being conscious of these things is a fantastic, and necessary, first step. To get started, simply have a glass of water with each meal, have a vegetable with each meal and a source of lean protein with each meal.
Remember, you don’t need to dedicate hours at the gym or eat things you don’t like to be healthy. The goal is to create habits that feel doable within your current routine. Always focus on progress, not perfection.
Acknowledge the Challenges
Finding time and motivation for fitness and nutrition can feel daunting. Maybe your day is packed with meetings, school drop-offs, or endless emails. Or perhaps you’re dealing with the mental exhaustion of just constantly being "on."
Here’s the good news: It’s okay to acknowledge that it’s hard. You’re not alone in feeling stretched thin. Instead of striving for an unattainable ideal, focus on integrating fitness and nutrition in ways that align with your lifestyle.
For example:
If mornings are chaotic, try a quick workout during your lunch break or after the kids go to bed.
If meal prepping feels overwhelming, start with just two or three meals a week and supplement with simple, healthy options.
If you struggle with motivation, ask your spouse, find a friend, coach, or community to support and encourage you.
There are many ways to make fitness and nutrition work for you…but the real truth is, nothing will work if you don’t hold yourself accountable.
For my clients, and myself, this includes having a schedule with fitness and/or nutrition ‘to dos’ to complete each day. By having all of this set up for our goals, it takes the guess work out of it. There’s a set plan to reach a goal. For my clients, I get notified if there is a missed workout or a nutrition goal is off and I am able to check in with them and offer support if needed. We also utilize different stats for accountability. Measurements, weight, photos, and exercise progressions all come into play and can be extremely motivating. For myself, I really rely on my data points to keep me on track. Whether that’s my measurements, photos, personal best on an exercise, or my heart rate for an activity, they all keep me accountable on my journey.
At the end of the day though, we all have to have our ‘why’. I have shared my own story and it’s those reasons that get me through on the really hard days. I encourage my clients, and anyone interested in their own health and fitness journey, to really reflect and consider the why behind it.
Redefine Success
A healthy lifestyle isn’t about rigid rules or aiming for perfection. It’s about creating a sense of balance and well-being that fits into your life.
Success can look like:
Feeling more energized to tackle your day.
Building strength or endurance in ways that feel empowering.
Cultivating a positive relationship with food that nourishes your body and mind.
The goal is to feel good, not add more stress to your plate.
You Deserve This
As a busy woman, it’s easy to put your needs last. But prioritizing your health is an act of self-care that benefits not only you but also the people you love and care for. By finding fitness and nutrition strategies that fit your lifestyle, you’re taking steps toward a healthier, happier version of yourself.
So, give yourself grace, start small, and remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The journey to a healthy lifestyle is personal, and it’s about what works for you. You’ve got this!
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