Take control of your health Journey by meeting yourself where you are
Have you ever followed a workout program, diet, or wellness trend that worked wonders for someone else but left you feeling frustrated? You’re not alone. In a world full of health advice, it’s easy to assume there is a “right” way to live. However, health is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding this can completely change your approach to wellness as you begin to learn what feels best for you.
You probably hear messages everyday telling you how active to be, what type of exercise is best, how much you should weigh, what you should eat, and what your health markersshould be. You may have heard advice such as:
“Eat three meals a day.”
“Do intermittent fasting.”
“Carbs are bad for you.”
“Carbs are your body’s preferred energy source.”
“You need to do cardio to lose weight.”
“Cardio is killing your gains.”
“Avoid all processed foods and sugar.”
“Everything in moderation.”
With so much conflicting information available, it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed. So, how do you navigate the world of health information to determine the healthiest lifestyle for you? At Momentum Fit, we aim to always meet our clients where they are. It is one of our guiding principles. But what does this really mean?
The Bio–individuality of Health
To start meeting yourself where you are, you need to first understand that health is bio-individual. You cannot compare your health or lifestyle to anyone else’s because what works for you will not be the same as what works for them.
Let’s dive into what bio-individuality means. This is the idea that everyone’s health is unique, and what one person needs to feel healthy will be different from the next. Think about your body as a plant and your health as the ecosystem. All plants need different amounts of water, sunlight, air, space, nutrients, and temperature to thrive. The elements that create a healthy cactus are completely different from the elements that create a healthy water fern. Humans are the same way. What you need to thrive is completely different from what anyone around you needs.
How to Determine What is Right for You
To determine the lifestyle factors that make you feel your best, it’s important to tune in to your body’s signals. Your body has a way of communicating with you through energy levels, digestion, pain, hunger, joy, stress, and other emotions and sensations.
When you get enough rest, you may feel more energized, patient, and happy. When you miss a meal, you may feel tired, cranky, and irritable. While these signals can provide valuable information, many people have become accustomed to ignoring them to “push through” their busy lives. Learning to recognize and respond to these cues takes practice, so approach the process with curiosity, self-compassion, and nonjudgement.
One effective way to reconnect with your body’s signals is through a body scan practice, which helps increase awareness of physical sensations and emotions. I’ve included a few resources at the end of this article to help you get started.
Once you become more aware of your body’s signals, start looking for patterns between your behaviors and feelings. You may notice that certain foods leave you feeling energized while others make you sluggish. You may find that a walk outside helps reduce stress, or that staying up late affects your focus the next day. Connecting these signals can help you make more informed decisions to optimize your health and well-being. Remember that what you need may vary from day to day, and that is okay. The goal is to build the awareness and flexibility needed to respond to what your body is telling you.
I want to add that tuning in to your body is meant to complement, not replace, medical advice. If you have recommendations or orders from a healthcare professional, then you should still follow these. Listening to your body is simply a tool to help you make informed choices about the lifestyle factors that optimize your overall health and well-being.
Bio-Individuality in the Gym
At Momentum Fit we take bio-individuality into account for all our clients. We understand that people have different preferences, goals, and starting places when it comes to the gym. Some people have been strength training for years, while others are stepping into the gym for the first time. Some thrive off high-intensity, fast-paced workouts, while others enjoy lighter weights and more dynamic movements. One client may have the goal of back squatting 300 pounds, and another client may want to go up and down stairs more easily. None of these scenarios are better than the others, they are just different. Our job is to find an approach that aligns with each client’s needs, abilities, and goals.
That’s why every client begins with a consultation. We want to understand your unique situation before we begin writing your workout. You will get asked questions such as what injuries, pains, or health concerns do you have? What are your goals? Have you worked with a trainer before? If so, what did you like or dislike? What is your current training status? These provide the trainers with a general idea of your current state and where you want to go.
From there, we continue to tailor your experience as we get to know you better. We pay attention to how your body responds to training, what motivates you, what challenges you, and what helps you stay consistent. Just as tuning into your body can guide your decisions outside the gym, it can also help shape the most effective and sustainable fitness plan for you.
Our goal is to help you feel good in the gym while pushing you to do things that may feel hard. We want to challenge you, and we want you to feel accomplished. We want you to feel the value of working out so that you will do it for the rest of your life, even if it is not with us.
At the end of the day, meeting yourself where you are means recognizing that your health journey is uniquely yours. It means letting go of the pressure to follow someone else’s path and instead paying attention to what your body, mind, and lifestyle need in this moment. Progress comes from working with yourself rather than against yourself. At Momentum Fit, we believe lasting health is built when you feel seen, supported, and empowered to take the next step from exactly where you are today.
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Body scan resources:
