🌿 The Health Advice I No Longer Follow (and Why) 🌿

Over the years, I’ve followed a lot of health advice. Some of it was helpful. Some of it… not so much. As I’ve gotten older (and hopefully a little wiser), I’ve found myself letting go of certain ideas that just don’t serve me anymore. Not because they were “wrong,” necessarily—but because they no longer fit my body, my lifestyle, or what I value most when it comes to healthy aging and feeling well.

If your body has been asking for something different lately, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the most powerful shift isn’t adding more—it’s releasing what no longer works.

Here are a few pieces of health advice I’ve gently let go of over time.

💭 1. “Eat Less, Move More”

This one sounds simple—and for a long time, I believed it. Over time, I started to notice that eating less didn’t make me feel better. It often left me tired, irritable, and less motivated to move at all. What I’ve come to understand is that in midlife especially, our bodies need more support, not less. Undereating can backfire—impacting energy, hormones, and even metabolism.

What I believe now: Nourishment matters. Eating enough—especially protein and whole foods—helps support strength, energy, and overall well-being. Now, I am often asking clients to add more healthy foods to their diet, like fiber and good fats (nuts anyone?), rather than removing foods.

🚶‍♀️ 2. “Cardio Is King”

There was a time when I thought more cardio was always better. Too much left me feeling depleted rather than energized. Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should (walk 15,000 steps rather than 7,000.) Also, it wasn’t doing much to build strength and stability that become more important as we age. Building muscle, rather than burning calories, is the key to healthy aging.

What I believe now: Walking, strength training, and gentle, consistent movement go a long way. Cardio still has a place—but it’s no longer the center of everything.

🏋️‍♀️ 3. “No Pain, No Gain”

This mindset is hard to shake. Pushing through fatigue or discomfort doesn’t work the way it used to—and honestly, it doesn’t need to. I’ve learned that constantly pushing can lead to burnout or injury, especially when recovery takes a little longer than it once did.

What I believe now: Listening to your body is not a weakness—it’s a skill. Consistency, with room for rest, is far more effective than pushing to the point of exhaustion. Sometimes, a slow yin practice is exactly what my body needs, not a marathon march or explosive cardio class.

📏 4. “You Have to Be Strict to See Results”

For a while, I thought discipline meant rigidity—following plans perfectly, avoiding any deviation. That approach often led to an all-or-nothing cycle. It wasn’t very enjoyable. Restriction often leads to eventual overindulgence.

What I believe now: Flexibility is part of a healthy lifestyle. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency over time. A balanced, realistic approach is what actually lasts. We are human and we are going to make poor choices sometimes but that doesn’t mean we can use that as an excuse to just give up. Every minute throughout your day is an opportunity to make the best choice for your body and mind.

🧬 5. “Healthy Looks the Same for Everyone”

This one can be subtle, but powerful. There’s an unspoken expectation that “healthy” has a certain look—and that can be hard to unlearn. Bodies change, especially in midlife. And those changes don’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

What I believe now:Health is personal. It’s about how you feel—your energy, your strength, your sense of balance—not just appearance. How strong, resilient, energized, and confident do you feel? Those are the more important metrics, not how you look in those jeans.

💊 6. “More Supplements = Better Health”

There was a time when I thought more was better here, too. Supplements can quickly become overwhelming—and expensive—without always making a meaningful difference.

What I believe now: A food-first approach works best. Supplements can be helpful when used thoughtfully and intentionally—but they’re not a substitute for the basics. I try to keep my supplements regimen down to Omega 3 (because I don’t eat as much fish as I should), magnesium glycinate for sleep, and calcium and vitamin D for bone health.

😌 7. “Rest Is Lazy”

This might be the biggest shift of all. It’s easy to feel like we should always be doing more—more workouts, more walks, more productivity, more effort. But I’ve come to see rest differently.

What I believe now: Rest is essential. It supports recovery, hormones, mood, and long-term health. Slowing down when needed is part of taking care of yourself—not stepping away from it. I’ve never been good at relaxing, so I have really focused on this aspect of late.

🌱 A Gentle Shift

Letting go of these ideas didn’t happen all at once. It’s been gradual—more of an evolution than a decision. And what I’ve found on the other side is a more sustainable, more enjoyable way of taking care of myself. One that feels supportive instead of stressful.

If something you’ve been doing isn’t feeling quite right anymore, it might be worth listening to that nudge. Not everything needs to be fixed or improved. Sometimes, the shift is simply in letting go.