• “High intensity workouts release the most endorphins for optimal mental health.”
• “Gentle walking is the best way to keep your heart, mind, & soul healthy.” 
• “Be consistent.  Exercise at the same time everyday, & don’t confuse your body.”
• “Cross training helps prevent injury.  Switch up your workout frequently to avoid overuse.”
• “Vegan diets are the best way to prevent chronic illness.”
• “Eating fish reduces your chances of heart disease.”

Oh my goodness, just stop already!  Does anyone else feel overwhelmed sometimes by the amount of health & fitness information available to us?  We all want to feel good in our bodies, optimize physical & mental health, & achieve various physical goals, but it’s increasingly impossible to follow all of these health & wellness guidelines.  In my experience as a personal trainer, a Rossiter coach, & an exercise physiologist, I’ve witnessed the frustration people feel as they try to implement huge lifestyle changes.  This frustration can easily shift into shame, guilt, & excuses – none of which are conducive to mental or physical health. 

As rates of chronic illness like cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, & heart disease continue to rise in the United States, researchers are doing their very best to find recommendations that improve overall health.  And it’s working!  We are finding evidence-based strategies that enhance our quality of life.  However, it’s important to keep in mind that these studies look at groups of people & determine the average response.  Bottom line?  You are not the average of thousands of random people.  You & your body are unique.  There’s no one else like you on the entire planet!  What works consistently in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies simply may not work for you.  Does that mean you’re broken?  NO!  It just means we may have to place a little more trust in ourselves. 

I deeply believe that exercise & food are medicine.  We feel & live better when we nourish & move our bodies in ways that make sense.  I also believe that it is our responsibility to learn exactly what our bodies need from us.  This kind of intuitive living requires patience, bravery, & a total release of judgement.  Curiosity is at the root of intuition, for the desire to truly understand precedes any sustainable change. 

So, what does this mean in practical terms?  How do we sift through the mountains of advice & opinions to find what works best for our unique needs?  Step 1 is to learn to listen to our bodies.  The body is very good at communicating, but sometimes it takes time to learn its language.  Start by curiously asking your body what it needs, & then listening with no judgement.  Listening might look like a gentle yoga class, a half hour of meditation, journaling, or even a nap!  Our bodies hold a deep, pure wisdom that is 100% tuned to our unique needs.

Step 2 is to act on what your body told you.  This can be a process of trial and& error as we learn our body’s language, so have patience & courage.  Maybe what your body said is that it needs a day of Netflix and nothing else.  That can be a scary message.  What if that’s just your laziness talking?  What if it completely throws off your training schedule?  What if it sabotages all the hard work you’ve put in?  Those are completely valid concerns that shouldn’t be ignored.  And yet… What if that day of nothing re-energizes you for another week of training?  The only way to know for sure is to try it. 

Which brings us to Step 3: observe!  Once you’ve acted on the message you thought you received from your body, how do you feel?  Do you feel energized & rejuvenated?  Or sluggish & melancholy? Your body will only ever ask you for things that are beneficial.  But don’t get discouraged if you’ve misinterpreted what your body needs!  That’s how we learn to understand our body’s cues.  And please, don’t judge.  Extend as much compassion to yourself during this process as you would to someone learning a new language (because that’s exactly what you’re doing!).

Finally, as a bonus step, be flexible with your wellness plans.  Your body will change so much over the next few years, as you experience change & growth.  If what worked for you five years ago isn’t working anymore, that’s okay!  Be brave and try something new. 

We receive so many messages from outside sources literally 24/7, telling us to do this or that, look a certain way, or behave differently.  It’s time we gave our internal voice space to be heard.  Trust yourself AND your body.  Take control of your own health, & do what works best for you – even if that looks completely different than you thought it would!  Here’s to better health!

For more info about the Rossiter technique, feel free to contact Kiley at 208.949.3868.