I read the research, test the products and sort through endless product pitches every single week.

I’m constantly hearing about the newest supplement, gadget, recovery tool, or health trend that’s supposed to change everything.

And while I could easily be drowning in wellness products, I’ve actually become more of a wellness minimalist.

I’ve learned that just because something could help doesn’t mean it’s something I need.

There are an endless number of ways we could spend our money in the name of health and I choose to be very intentional.

So I thought it’d be fun to share a few wellness things I don’t spend money on...and the things I happily do.

Things I don’t spend money on

Cold plunges

Cold plunges can be great for some people but they’re too taxing on my nervous system.

If I’m somewhere that naturally has cold water? Sure, I’ll hop in for the quick benefits, but I don’t own one, don’t use one regularly, and don’t feel like I’m missing out.

Weighted vests

I researched it, bought one and even recorded a podcast episode about it.

I ultimately decided, I don’t need it.

Walking is already one of the best things I can do for my health.

Adding a weighted vest wasn’t moving the needle enough to make it worth keeping in my routine.

Every greens powder and supplement

I can’t even tell you how many supplement companies reach out every month and most of them are some version of a greens powder.

I do take a handful of supplements (mostly based on bloodwork) but I don’t take supplements just because they’re trending.

Instead of trying every new greens powder, I eat my veggies.

Sleep trackers

I wore an Oura Ring for quite a while and did find it helpful at first. But eventually I realized that there were 2 key insights that showed up again and again:

• Going to bed earlier is helpful.

• Eating late and drinking alcohol always disrupts my sleep.

Once I learned those patterns, I didn’t need a score every morning to tell me how I slept.

Most days...I already know.

What I happily spend money on

Quality food

This is my biggest wellness investment.

I’m incredibly grateful to have access to quality food and choose to invest here more than almost anywhere else. (A privilege I don’t take for granted)

I’m a big believer in buying the highest food your budget and access allows.

(By the way...if nutrition is an area you’d love more support with, the next Nourished Reset starts in September! You can join the waitlist now. I’d love to have you join us!)

Good walking shoes

Walking is one of the healthiest things I do.

I aim for around 10,000 steps a day, so taking care of my feet matters.

Lately I’ve been loving my Flux trainers.

I have the Adapt Runner for everyday use and the Adapt Graphine XT that I wear only for lifting. The Runner is a bit more cushioned while the Graphine feels more flat/barefoot-like.

They’re close to barefoot shoes without looking...well...like barefoot shoes. 😄

So note that they are not super thick and padded as many trainers are these days - they have a wider toe box and a flatter sole to mimic more of a barefoot position. But they are still very comfortable.

This isn’t sponsored. I bought them myself and have been genuinely impressed. My toes feel so happy!

Quality protein powder

One thing I use almost every day is Equip Prime Protein.

The ingredient list is pure, it tastes great and it’s easy on my stomach.

And because building muscle is one of my health priorities right now, it’s something I use multiple times per week.

(Use code ROBIN for 15% off)

A quality Pilates mat

This one probably doesn’t surprise you. :)

I spent years developing my own Pilates mat because I couldn’t find one that checked all the boxes.

Pilates needs more cushion than yoga, but still enough stability for balance.

Investing in a quality mat that’s better for you, better for the planet and will last for years is 100% worth it to me.

Good sleep habits

Notice I didn’t say gadgets.

I invest in sleep by protecting it.

By going to bed earlier, staying off my phone before bed and by investing in blackout curtains.

Simple habits that make a real difference.

Coaching, community, and continuing education

This might be my favorite investment of all.

I hire coaches, I learn from experts and I invest in communities that help me grow.

And the more I learn the more empowered I feel to take care of my own health and, the better I can serve our Lindywell community.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years in the wellness world, it’s this:

Health isn’t built by owning the most gadgets or trying every new trend.

It’s built by choosing a handful of things that truly matter - and sticking with them.

That’s what we focus on at Lindywell.

We don’t hop on every new trend, we focus on helping you build habits that will serve you for years to come.

Open the app.

Press play.

Take a walk.

Cook a nourishing meal.

Get to bed a little earlier.

Those things may never go viral on social media...

But they’ll always be worth investing in. 💛

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Investing your health is easy with the Lindywell app, and even easier when you join the 21-Day Jumpstart.

I’ll guide you with a clear, easy to follow plan to ensure that you build the habit of consistency and get results.

All it takes is 10 minutes a day for 21 days - click here to join us, we start on Monday!

A few women in the room looked different than the last time I’d seen them. To say it bluntly - they had lost a significant amount of weight.

And while everybody noticed it, nobody really knew what to say.

No one wanted to be rude or nosy. So we all just talked around it and kept our thoughts to ourselves.

And it made me realize something…

There’s a new feeling I keep noticing in conversations with women and I don’t think we’ve named it yet.

The rise of GLP-1 medications hasn’t just changed how people are losing weight, it’s changed how many of us feel.

And those feelings vary greatly from person to person.

Maybe you’re thrilled for the women in your life who are seeing results.

Maybe another part of you wonders if you should be doing it too.

Maybe you have concerns or feel skeptical about all of it.

Maybe you’re simply trying to figure out where you fit into all of it.

I think this is the part we’re all feeling, but not talking about.

This isn’t really about one medication.

It’s about navigating a moment where the health and weight loss landscape has shifted almost overnight.

And when you add the radical shifts we’re experiencing with the explosion of AI - we’re left questioning so many things - wondering what’s real, what we can trust and trying to find our footing as we do.

I want to be clear: this isn’t about saying GLP-1s are good or bad.

Some women take them for medical reasons that have nothing to do with weight loss.

Others have struggled with their weight or metabolic health for years and have found them genuinely life-changing.

Those decisions are nuanced and personal and should always be made with your doctor.

What I’m thinking about is something different.

How do we stay true to ourselves while also acknowledging something this significant is changing around us and we’re still trying to make sense of it?

As women, we’ve lived through the low-fat era, the no-carb era, the detoxes, the cleanses, the pills that promised to finally fix everything.

Now we’ve entered yet another new chapter - and this one feels more like a quantum leap.

One that claims even bigger promises, but also comes with even more questions.

We feel an underlying sense of pressure to form an opinion or make decisions in the midst of a culture that’s moving incredibly fast.

We are questioning if GLP-1’s are our only option, if the “old way” doesn’t work anymore (spoiler: it does, more on this in an upcoming email..) and also what the best long-term decisions are for our health.

It’s a lot.

But even as I navigate all of this mentally, I keep coming back to the same thought:

No matter how much the wellness industry changes...

No matter what new technology arrives...

No matter what medications become available...

The foundations of good health haven’t changed.

They’ve been there through ALL of the cultural shifts thus far.

Your body still benefits from building strength.

It still benefits from consistent movement.

It still benefits from nourishing food, good sleep, and managing stress.

Whether someone chooses a GLP-1 or not, the foundations still matter. In fact, I’d argue they matter even more.

That’s why I believe so deeply in what we’re doing at Lindywell.

We help women build habits that still serve them long after the next wellness trend comes and goes.

Because we believe your health should be built on principles you can trust, not trends you have to keep chasing.

Open the app.

Press play.

Follow the plan.

That’s it.

No wondering what workout to do.

No piecing together ten different videos you saved from social media.

No pressure to optimize every hour of your day.

Just one simple plan that helps you build strength, consistency, and confidence over time.

If you’re looking for a place to build those habits and a community of women who will encourage you instead of making you feel like you’re falling behind, you’ll love being a part of Lindywell. 💛

Our August Reset Sale is happening now, making it the best time of the year to join us.

And this Monday we’re kicking off Focus Fifteen: five days of simple, 15-minute workouts designed to help you build strength, improve posture, and create momentum without overthinking it.

Because that’s what I want for you.

Less comparison and second-guessing. And more strength, confidence and consistency.

I’ll see you on the mat soon.💛

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Breakfast isn’t just supposed to be balanced anymore.

It’s supposed to be organic, in season, and local, ideally something you grew yourself.

You sit down to eat your (partially) organic (store-bought) breakfast.

Now you’re supposed to be tracking your glucose while you eat (but you haven’t yet bought that glucose monitor - you wonder if you really need it?), and afterward you need a ten minute walk so your glucose recovers properly and your digestion stays on track.

So you put on your shoes and you walk. (You wonder if you should be wearing a weighted vest too?)

While you’re walking, you should be hitting your step count, so you check your watch.

And while you’re at it, you should probably check your sleep score too to see how well you recovered from yesterday.

Oh and you should also check your Monthly Cycle app to see what part of your cycle you’re in too.

Then you remember you were supposed to meditate today, and you haven’t yet. So you plan to meditate when you get home, except you were also supposed to do Pilates today.

So now you’re standing in your living room asking yourself “Do I meditate, or do I do Pilates?” (And what about lifting weights?)

After thinking about it for a few minutes you look at your watch and realize you actually don’t have time for any of it and feel frustrated that you weren’t more productive.

You didn’t even get to the supplements and feel exhausted because in the midst of it all you were also:

Thinking about the groceries you need to purchase later today.

Mentally clocking the to-do list items around the house.

Starting a load of laundry.

Deleting spam emails (Old Navy - so many sales!)

Responding to texts and mentally preparing your day ahead.

Now don’t get me wrong - eating well, moving your body and managing stress is incredibly important. None of that is up for debate.

But the sheer amount of advice coming at us right can easily go from helpful to overwhelming.

Especially when you consider the mental load we are carrying each day as women.

You’ve probably felt this yourself. Decision fatigue shows that when we’re faced with too many competing choices, we don’t just get tired, we get stuck.

We stall out and end up doing none of the things instead of one of them, because the mental cost of choosing correctly starts to outweigh the benefit of doing anything at all.

That’s the real cost of all this optimizing.

Not that it’s unhealthy (although for some it can become that too).

It’s that it can easily strip away our ability to do anything with long-term consistency because we’re too busy sorting through options to actually stick with it.

So here’s how I recommend keeping it simple while still feeling empowered:

Determine what’s foundational versus what’s extra.

Real food, regular exercise, stress management - these are foundational.

Organic versus not, matching your workout to your sleep score, that’s extra.

Extra is fine if you have bandwidth for it, but it should never come before the foundations, and it should never be the reason the foundations don’t happen.

Pick 1-2 things to track, if any.

Tracking 8 data points in 10 different apps competes for your attention, especially if your mental load is already full. If tracking helps you, pick the one or two metrics that actually help you take action and save the others for when you have more bandwidth.

Know your priorities for this season.

Decide now what you’re actually focused on right now. Is it building muscle? Walking? Sleep? Reducing processed foods?

Knowing your priorities right now will reduce decision fatigue. When something like meditating versus cardio comes up, you’re not deciding in the moment. You already know what should come first.

Tune into your body.

Your body is a better guide than any app or number will ever be. It already tells you when it needs rest, when it’s ready to push, when something’s off.

But the more we lean on outside tools to tell us how we’re doing, the more we lose the ability to actually hear that. Some of the most useful information you have isn’t on your watch. It’s already inside you.

I love data and information and I love to track things from time to time.

But I want to remind you that you don’t need to optimize every hour of your day to be well.

You need to focus on a few things that matter, chosen on purpose, done consistently, and with commitment.

That’s become one of my biggest goals. Not to help you optimize more, but to help you filter better.

To help you know what actually deserves your attention and what doesn’t.

Because when everything feels important, progress gets stalled.

I’d rather help you build a routine you can still follow six months from now than give you twenty new ideas you don’t know what to actually do with.

It’s why we designed the Lindywell app the way we did.

We intentionally don’t ask you to optimize everything.

We ask you to press play.

Because when one simple workout becomes part of your life, you create a habit that you can build on for years to come.

See how simple it really is.

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One said there’s nothing to worry about, the whole thing is overblown.

The next said get them out of your diet immediately, they’re inflammatory and dangerous.

A third had a whole chart. Same topic. Completely different conclusions. All spoken with total confidence.

I put my phone down and just laid there for a second, thinking: a few years ago, our problem would have been finding enough information.

Now our problem is that we are drowning in information but we have no idea who to trust.

We used to trust that if someone was giving health advice, they had the experience and credentials to back it up.

But now, everyone’s an expert.

As a result, our mental energy is spent trying to decipher if what we’re hearing is legit and if who we’re listening to is genuine and trustworthy.

So we’re not just confused anymore. We’re exhausted from having to fact check our own fact checking.

As consumers, it's imperative that we choose who we trust wisely and with intention.

Here’s a filter I use that you can borrow:

Ask what they have to sell. Not everyone selling something is wrong (I sell a fitness app + nutrition programs for a living and do my best to share it with authenticity and integrity).

But if the advice seems dramatic and conveniently points toward their product, that’s worth noticing.

Ask how long they’ve said it. A hot take from last week has no track record. A take that’s held up for years, through trends and algorithm changes, likely has more merit.

Ask if it’s simple enough to actually do. True, sustainable advice is usually a little boring. If it sounds thrilling or extreme, that’s often the marketing talking, not the science.

Ask what their credentials are. Does the person you’re listening to have education and experience to back up their claims? Notice if they are suddenly an expert or if they truly have the track record to back up their point of view.

If you resonate with the confusion of living in what I call the “Everyone’s an Expert” economy, you’re not alone.

And I don’t think the answer is to keep doing more research.

I think the answer is fewer voices you can trust, filtered the way described above.

One trusted voice > a hundred opinions.

As you scroll and take in information this week, pay attention to the people who’ve actually been doing this long enough that you can watch whether their approach holds up over time, not just whether it trends on social media.

That’s what I’ve been building here at Lindywell for more than a decade. Not the loudest or trendiest take. Just a genuine, proven approach, held steady for a long time.

Because while the trends come and go, the foundations of good health haven’t dramatically changed.

At Lindywell, we’re here to help you cut through the noise and be that voice you can trust. 💛

More on this soon…

**Note: This is actually the whole reason I built the Lindywell app the way I did. Every workout inside is taught by a highly trained instructor or physical therapist with more than a decade of hands-on experience. That means you don’t have to scroll through videos on YouTube to figure out the best classes to take. I already did that work for you. You just open the app and press play. Take the guesswork out of it and give it a try now.

Of course, not every summer day feels this way.

But when there is a morning with no rushing, no carpool and plenty of time to start the day with ease and intention, it’s just such a treat.

I’ve been leaning into that feeling as much as I can lately and it’s got me thinking about a few other simple things that I’ve been loving this summer…

1. Morning breathwork on the patio

Without having to rush out the door to school drop off, I’m taking advantage of the slower paced morning.

Starting my day with a quick walk (even just 10 min) and a few minutes of breathing on the patio has been energizing and life giving.

My recent go-to has been this 7-minute Invitation to Softness in the Lindywell app.

I highly recommend it.

2. This fresh summer pasta recipe

This BLT Pasta Salad is a hit in our house and a perfect side dish for summer gatherings.

BLT Pasta Salad

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked gluten-free fusilli pasta (or pasta of choice)

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup romaine lettuce, chopped

2 sliced cooked bacon, crumbled

1/2 avocado, cubed

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup Primal Kitchen ranch dressing (or similar)

Instructions:

1. Start by boiling the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse and add to a large mixing bowl.

2. Add remaining ingredients and toss well to combine.

3. Chill pasta salad in the fridge for 1-2 hours prior to serving.

You can also find this recipe + many others inside your Lindwell App. Be sure to save it as a favorite.

3. A refreshing summer mocktail

I’ve been on the hunt for a quick & easy summer mocktail that I actually enjoy (most are too sweet and not worth the sugar intake).

I shared a Mocktail tasting on Instagram and the comments had a lot of great recommendations.

My favorite so far is from the brand Aplos (not sponsored), but just as often I’ve been opting for a Cream Soda Olipop or a simple glass of Topo Chico over ice with lots of lime.

It’s been perfect for when I want to partake in happy hour, but don’t want a fitful night of sleep. It’s been nice to have a non-alcoholic option to share with dinner guests too.

I hope you’re having a good summer, friends!

Remember to slow down and savor the season in ways that you can. 💛

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**If you’re looking for an easy way to stay consistent with your workouts and wellness routines this summer, start a free trial in the Lindwell app. The app removes decision fatigue so you can get a quick workout in and get on with your day.

You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot of strength, mobility and spine health to gain. Here’s a link to try it for free. (I recommend starting with our new 10-Minute Win series!)

There’s a trend on social media and among women that we always need to be doing MORE to improve our health.

We’re optimizing everything. Tracking every step, buying all the gadgets, following all the plans, buying all the supplements and it has become nearly a full time job just to keep up with all the things we are “supposed” to be doing.

I see so many women trying so hard to be healthy, but failing to recognize that wellness itself has become stressful.

And I get it, because I feel this pressure too.

At any given moment, we’re being told to eat more protein, track our steps, strength train, improve sleep, reduce stress, drink more water, heal our gut, balance hormones, cold plunge, meal prep, walk after meals, take supplements, optimize blood sugar…

And somehow still maintain a stress-free, positive mindset while doing all of it. 😅

As a result we’re all walking around with a consistent low-grade feeling of: we should be doing more.

More for our health…

More for our body…

More for our future…

More for our family…

More to “finally get it together.”

But here’s what I keep thinking about:

In some cases, the constant pursuit and pressure of doing MORE can actually have an opposite effect on our health.

I’m noticing that for some, wellness habits have become less supportive and more stressful.

The neverending list of what we are told to do adds up to an impossible list of things to manage, another avenue for comparison, and another thing to stress about.

When we get caught up in this approach, we have to question if it’s really leading us toward more wholeness and health or if it’s adding to the chronic stress we’re already carrying.

As women, we’re already carrying so much.

The mental load of work, motherhood, aging parents, schedules, decision fatigue, emotional labor…we’re constantly trying to care for everyone else while not completely losing ourselves in the process.

We are already stressed, and while healthy habits are essential and should be prioritized, we have to make sure the pendulum doesn’t swing too far.

I’m someone who loves a good list, an action plan, and a fresh idea. I’m a naturally driven person.

This past January, I sat down to write out my 2026 goals and couldn’t finish: just looking at the list was making me feel more stressed.

The irony? One of my actual goals was to simplify and reduce stress.

I closed the notebook and went for a walk.

As I reflected, I realized that the healthiest thing I could do in that season wasn’t to add more. It was to do less - but with more intention.

That shift changed a lot for me and I have to continually remind myself of this as I open Instagram and get bombarded with new hacks, tools and strategies that I “should” be implementing.

I’m not here to say that you need to stop pursuing your healthy habits altogether. That would be terrible advice.

But I am here to remind us all to keep it in balance.

If your approach to health is stressing you out, that stress might be working against you.

Chronic stress can undermine all of the efforts we’re making.

So pause and ask yourself:

Is my approach to wellness helping me feel better….or just making me feel more stressed?

That question has become a filter for me.

It’s helped me avoid chasing trends and continue focusing on the simple habits with the biggest impact.

Things like:

Moving my body consistently.

Drinking enough water.

Cooking fresh foods at home as much as possible.

Getting to bed earlier.

Unplugging from screens.

I’m also leaning into enjoyable areas of life that we know have an impact on our health.

Things like unplugging.

Staying up late laughing with friends even if that means getting a little bit less sleep.

Playing in the pool and being goofy with my kids even if that means I don’t hit my step goal for the day.

It’s important to remember:

A simple routine you can actually stick with - that allows for joy, play and connection - will always outperform a “perfect” routine that keeps you in a chronic state of stress.

This is the philosophy behind our approach at Lindywell.

We don’t layer on unnecessary pressure dressed up as self-improvement.

We’re not focused on optimizing every last detail of our wellness routines. We have enough on our plates.

We believe that play and connection matter just as much as the workout routine we follow.

We focus on consistency over intensity and providing workouts that feel like a treat not a chore.

We choose grace over guilt because we know that leads to a more sustainable approach to wellness.

And we embrace realistic wellness routines that fit your actual life so that you can do the things you love for as long as possible.

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**If you’re looking for a realistic workout routine that will not add stress to your already full life, I highly recommend starting a free trial in the Lindywell app.

Workouts can all be done from home. No equipment needed. It’s the perfect, no-stress way to build strength and improve mobility.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes. 💛

It’s become a favorite place of mine and I’m dreaming up my next trip as we speak.

But until my next trip, I’ve been thinking about the things I love and learned about Italian culture that I want to cultivate right here in my home this summer.

The Italians know how to savor life.

And I find it so inspiring.

Shops close after lunch for “riposo” (an afternoon nap and time for rejuvenation).

Families linger at dinner for hours.

Kids play in the piazzas late into the evening while parents sit nearby, chatting and enjoying each other’s company.

People walk slowly after meals.

Food is cooked fresh with local ingredients.

They rarely seem rushed and they aren’t obsessed with squeezing every last drop of productivity out of the day.

What stands out to me most as a very busy American who lives by her to-do lists: no one acts like enjoyment has to be earned first.

They sit down for an espresso in the middle of the afternoon.

Order (and enjoy) dessert without making it a moral decision.

Every time I visit I am inspired to live differently.

To slow my life down and make time to savor simple daily pleasures and rituals.

And as we approach mid-summer, I’m reminding myself (and perhaps you too) to slow things down and embrace a little of that Italian way of life…

I want to:

☕️Sip my morning coffee on the patio, instead of gulping it on the go.

🧺Pack a picnic and linger until the sun sets with family and friends.

📖Read a book instead of starting a new productivity project.

🍅Cook a fresh, homemade meal and enjoy the process of being in the kitchen.

🌅Watch the sunset without rushing the kids to bedtime.

Slowing down is not only good for our quality of life, but good for our health too.

Here’s to less rushing, less optimizing, more savoring.

Are you with me?

Did you know? Every July in the Lindywell community we focus on getting out to play and enjoy life more. Whether that’s wild, adventurous play or a slower paced leisure, I encourage you to join us.

Click here to join the community and get 14 days free.

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“I’m not very sore after my workouts. Does that mean they’re not working?”

I hear this from Lindywell members. I hear it from my friends. And I used to wonder about it myself too.

We’ve been so conditioned by the “no pain, no gain” mentality that somewhere along the way we started using soreness as a key measure of a good workout.

If you couldn’t walk down the stairs the next morning, it was a good one..

If you felt fine, did it even do anything?

But here’s what I want you to know: soreness is not the gold standard of an effective workout.

Soreness is influenced by so many things that have nothing to do with effort or effectiveness.

Things like:

How hydrated you were.

Whether you warmed up.

How familiar your body is with the movement.

Whether you’re starting back up after time off or maintaining a consistent routine.

Research shows that delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is most common when you’re doing something your body isn’t used to, which means the more consistent you are, the less sore you’ll feel.

So rest assured, if you’re not sore, that’s not a sign of a bad workout, it can actually be a sign that your body is adapting and getting stronger!

It can be tempting to feel like we always have to be doing MORE - to continue pushing ourselves to feel that soreness in order to feel productive.

But I hope this allows you to take a deep breath and let that faulty belief go.

The last thing we need is another area of life where we believe we have to punish ourselves in order to be “good enough.”

Exercise should support your life, not leave you wrecked from it.

A good workout can absolutely challenge you. You should feel your muscles working. You should feel fatigued and feel the burn.

You may even be sore occasionally.

But you do not need to feel soreness to prove that a workout is working and you certainly don’t need to feel beat up in order to make progress.

Being too sore too often can actually work against you.

If your workouts are leaving you so sore that:

• you dread exercising again

• skip movement for days afterward

• feel constantly depleted

• or struggle to stay consistent…

That’s a red flag.

Here’s what I want you to shift:

Instead of measuring your workouts by how sore you are, start noticing signs of progress.

Can you hold a plank longer than you could two months ago?

Is the low back pain that used to bother you starting to ease up?

Are exercises that felt hard starting to feel more natural?

Is your mood better after movement?

Are you showing up more consistently?

These are all signs that your workouts are working.

And if you do find yourself sore sometimes, here’s what can help:

• Movement. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but gentle movement (a walk, a light jog, restorative Pilates) increases blood flow and helps your muscles recover faster.

• Massage. A foam roller, tennis ball, or even just your hands can do a lot. Soft tissue work breaks up tension and speeds up recovery in a way that just resting on the couch doesn’t.

• Stretching. Gentle, intentional stretching after a workout (or the day after) keeps things from tightening up and allows your tissues to stay supple.

At Lindywell, we believe movement should help you feel better, not worse.

It should help you feel strong, calm and connected.

That doesn’t mean workouts can’t challenge you (I love to help you feel the burn!). It just means the goal isn’t maxing out at all costs.

The goal is building a body that supports your real life.

One where you wake up feeling good.

One that helps you feel energized enough to enjoy your family, your work, your walks, your travels and all the other things you love.

Because wellness that works in real life shouldn’t leave you barely able to sit down on the toilet the next day. 😄

If you’re looking for movement that builds you up without breaking you down, join us in the Lindywell app. Your body will thank you.

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I’m sneaking in with a friendly reminder that can have just as big of an impact on your health…maybe even more.

A reminder to eat more fiber.

Fiber does more than you probably think.

Most women get around half of what’s actually recommended daily. And the effects of that gap are more far-reaching than most people realize.

But before we get into numbers, let’s talk about what’s actually happening inside your body.

Your gut (aka your GI system) is running the show.

You have trillions of bacteria living in your gut that support your immune system, produce hormones, regulate your mood, and keep inflammation in check.

Those beneficial bacteria need to eat in order to thrive and what they eat is fiber.

When you don’t get enough fiber, the good bacteria in your gut start to decline.

And when the good bacteria decline, the less helpful bacteria can take over.

That imbalance (called dysbiosis) is linked to bloating, fatigue, brain fog, mood dips, hormone disruption, and a slower metabolism.

Sound familiar?

Research shows that eating a diverse, fiber-rich diet is one of the most effective ways to support a healthy gut microbiome.

And as I mentioned earlier, a healthy gut microbiome is connected to almost everything, from energy, to hormones, to skin, to mental clarity, and immune resilience.

This is why fiber isn’t just about digestion (although it helps that too), it’s about overall health.

So how much do you actually need?

The general recommendation for women is around 25 grams per day.

It’s estimated that only 5% of Americans are hitting that target daily!

Most of us are getting closer to 12-15 grams and many are getting far less.

That gap is bigger than it sounds and it’s likely showing up in your energy, your digestion, and how you feel day to day.

Here’s what 25 grams can actually look like in a real day:

Breakfast: oatmeal with berries and a sprinkle of chia seeds (around 8 to 10 grams)

Lunch: a big salad with chickpeas, avocado, and veggies (10 to 12 grams)

Snack: an apple or a small handful of almonds (3 to 4 grams)

Dinner: roasted veggies and a side of lentils or black beans (6 to 8 grams)

You don’t have to hit 25 grams perfectly every day. But knowing the number gives you something to aim for.

Worth noting: not all fiber works the same way in your gut.

There are two types, soluble and insoluble, and your body benefits from both.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance that slows digestion, steadies blood sugar, and feeds your good gut bacteria directly. (Think oats, apples, beans, and flaxseeds.)

Insoluble fiber adds bulk and keeps things moving through your digestive tract. (Think leafy greens, whole grains, and the skins of fruits and vegetables.)

The goal isn’t to obsess over which type you’re getting, but just to know that variety matters and that eating a wide range of plant foods is the simplest way to get both.

What if food alone isn’t cutting it?

Some days it won’t. Life is busy and meals aren’t always balanced, and that’s okay.

On those days, I’ve been adding Loam prebiotic fiber to my yogurt or smoothie.

(This is the best I’ve personally found so far. I secured the code ROBINLONG20 so you can get 20%off. )

One scoop helps me close the gap on days when my meals aren’t as fiber-rich as I’d like.

It’s not a replacement for real food, but it is a helpful supplement when needed.

As you go through your week this week, start to notice how much fiber you’re consuming and look for small places to add more.

Even just a handful of berries here, a spoonful of chia seeds there + fiber supplement on a busy day can make a meaningful difference.

Your fiber ramp up plan:

• Start small (adding too much at once can cause digestive discomfort)

• Increase hydration as well

• Aim to get fiber from whole foods as often as possible

• Consider a fiber supplement if needed

• Aim for consistency, not perfection

This simple focus is truly one of the most valuable things you can do for your health and the health of your family.

Note: When you’re in a rut, remember that the recipes in the Lindywell app are packed with fiber and nutrients to keep you feeling your best. Try the app free for 14 days.

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That was the whole game. Work out enough, burn enough, and eventually my body would finally look the way I wanted it to.

Sound familiar?

If you grew up in the 80s, 90s, or 2000s, this was basically the air we breathed. We were taught to evaluate our workouts by one thing: how many calories did I burn?

It’s why so many of us started exercising in the first place.

And it’s also why, after a workout, we’d check the number on our watch or the screen on the treadmill and let that number decide the success of our workout.

But here’s what I now know after years in the industry:

Calorie burn is not only the wrong metric for measuring a good workout, it’s also not a very effective motivation for exercise in the first place.

Most workouts burn far fewer calories than we think

For a couple of reasons….

Research shows that fitness trackers and calorie estimates are often significantly inaccurate, sometimes overestimating calorie burn by 20 to 90%.

A solid 45-minute workout might register 220 calories on your watch.

But when you compare that to calories you’re burning off, it’s equivalent to something as simple as your morning Starbucks run or a handful of nuts on the way out the door.

This can be discouraging - but it’s also a small and diminishing way to think about exercise - something that is doing so much more for your body.

The calorie math doesn’t add up

When it comes to calorie burn and weight loss, exercise alone was never the lever we were told it was.

The changes most of us are hoping for (how we look, how we feel, how we move, how we age) don’t come from burning more calories in a workout.

We’ve been given a flawed framework and that’s what I want to help clarify.

For decades, women have been sold thinness instead of health.

We’ve been told to focus on getting smaller instead of stronger.

We’ve focused on punishing our bodies instead of partnering with our bodies.

And it has not only not worked, it’s caused confusion and drained the joy out of movement for so many of us.

What exercise is actually for

Exercise is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body and your life. And in ways that go far beyond calorie burn.

When you move your body consistently, you’re building muscle that supports your metabolism as you age.

You’re strengthening your bones, which matters more than most women realize, especially heading into perimenopause and beyond.

You’re regulating your mood, lowering stress, protecting your brain, improving balance, reducing your risk of disease, and building the kind of body that supports you for the long haul.

None of that shows up on a calorie counter.

When you stop measuring workouts by calorie burn alone and start focusing on consistency, strength, energy and overall wellness, you’ll end up with better long-term results.

And not only that, your relationship with movement becomes something you pursue for positive reasons and as a result, becomes something you can actually enjoy and sustain.

Instead of dread or something you have to do to burn off last night’s dinner…

A walk becomes stress relief.

Strength training becomes protection for your future self.

Pilates becomes a way to build real, connected strength for real life.

Movement becomes an act of care instead of punishment.

A simple shift worth trying this week

Instead of asking “how many calories did I burn?” try asking “what did this workout give me?”

Maybe it helped regulate your nervous system.

Maybe it improved your posture.

Maybe it boosted your energy or helped you keep a promise to yourself.

Maybe it simply made you feel more like you.

And if you want to go a little deeper: make a list of every reason you want to exercise that has nothing to do with calorie burn. You may be surprised how long it gets.

At Lindywell, we don’t focus on calorie burn in our workouts and that’s intentional.

Instead, we remind you of what you’re gaining every time you step on your mat: improved mobility, more strength, better circulation, a calmer mind, better balance, and deposits into your future self.

So you can feel strong, connected and confident.

That’s worth so much more than a number on a screen and a much more powerful motivator to keep moving for years to come.

Have a question about exercise, metabolism, or what metrics actually matter? Reply and let me know. My team and I read every response and it just might become a future Wellness Wednesday topic. 💛

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It happens when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes irritated or inflamed - often from a combination of tight calves, weak foot muscles, limited ankle mobility, poor footwear, or repetitive stress over time.

The tricky thing about plantar fasciitis is that it can start subtly with stiffness or soreness and gradually become more painful over time. So prevention and early support is important.

The good news? Mobility, strengthening, and circulation exercises can make a huge difference.

The exercises in this new workout are designed to help improve mobility and strength in the feet and ankles while releasing tension through the calves and lower legs.

They can be especially supportive if you experience tightness, stiffness, soreness, or discomfort in your feet after standing, walking, or exercising.

Strong, mobile feet are such an underrated part of feeling good in your body and supporting them now can help prevent bigger issues later on.

We just added a brand-new workout to the Lindywell app:

Fascia Flow: Plantar Fasciitis Relief

Whether you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis right now, recovering from it, or just want to keep your feet feeling strong and supported all summer long - this one belongs in your regular rotation.

To give it a try, we’re giving you 14 days FREE in the Lindywell app. Start your trial here.

Your feet will thank you. 😊

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My team and I love reading your responses to these Wellness Wednesday emails.

And lately, a theme keeps showing up in your replies that I can’t stop thinking about.

It sounds something like this:

“I’m doing everything right. I’m moving my body, eating well, trying to show up for myself. And I still don’t feel the way I want to feel.”

This is so common (you’re definitely not alone) and I know it’s a frustrating place to be.

What I often see when working with women one-on-one, is that there are a few long-held “healthy” habits that are holding them back from seeing progress.

As women’ we’ve received SO many messages about dieting, weight loss and health that we’ve picked up patterns over the years that actually work against our body.

Our intentions and our efforts are in the right place, but the patterns and cycles need adjusting.

Here are the five patterns I see most often:

Eating Light All Day but Overeating at Night: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

This one is so common. This habit is well-intentioned. You’re trying to be mindful and eat light throughout the day, but what ends up happening is by the evening, your body is genuinely HUNGRY.

This often leads to overeating, bingeing or making choices that don’t align with your long-term goals.

When you under-fuel in the morning, your body catches up with a vengeance later.

What to do instead: Start your day with a nourishing meal that includes protein, fiber, and a little bit of healthy fat. My go-to is an egg + egg white scramble loaded with veggies and served over a slice of sourdough bread.

Research shows that eating protein earlier in the morning has a measurable effect on appetite regulation throughout the rest of the day.

All-or-Nothing Dieting: Why Being “Good” All Week Leads to Weekend Overeating

I fell into this pattern for years. I would start fresh every Monday, eat well throughout the week, avoid sweets, count my calories, and then when the weekend hit, I’d be so ready for a break that I’d over-indulge from Friday to Sunday.

Research shows that for most people, the rigid, all-or-nothing mindset (aka: trying to be “perfect” during the week) actually increases dietary lapses, exercise dropouts, and stress.

It’s a cognitive pattern that many of us get stuck in. But naming it is the first step to changing it.

What to do instead: Focus on nourishing your body well every day of the week and allow yourself small, mindful indulgences a few times per week instead of saving them up for the weekend.

Find other ways to “let down” on the weekend that don’t revolve around food. Perhaps having a leisurely morning with coffee in bed, reading on your patio, meeting up with friends for a walk, or unplugging from technology.

And when you over-indulge? Instead of waiting until Monday to start over, ask yourself “what’s a supportive next choice right now?” Choose grace over guilt and remember that small resets matter more than full restarts.

(I teach on this in depth inside the Nourished Reset)

Always chasing the next fix.

New plan. New supplement. New strategy. Every day we are being sold something new to try that will fix our problems. (See my recent post, Are We Making Wellness Too Complicated?)

It feels like forward momentum to start something new again, but it actually keeps you from ever building the consistency that creates real results.

What to do instead: Repetition (not novelty) is what changes things.

Pick a few basics and stay there longer than feels comfortable. It will feel repetitive, it will feel a little boring, it will feel like it’s not working at times, but staying committed for months (eventually years) at a time? That’s where the magic is.

Working out hard... but not consistently.

Intensity feels productive, but when it comes to seeing results, consistent exercise throughout the week is more effective than maxing yourself out in that challenging workout class once per week.

Believing that workouts need to be long, sweaty or exhausting in order to be worth it, will keep you stuck in a pattern of dread and inconsistency (especially if those workouts leave you so beat up that you need multiple days to recover).

What to do instead: Move consistently throughout the week, even in small ways. This may look like a combination of short Pilates workouts, weight lifting workouts and evening walks. Or it may look like attending Pilates classes 2x during the week and yoga and a hike on the weekends.

30 minutes counts, 10 minutes counts, ALL movement counts.

The goal isn’t to crush yourself occasionally and spend a week recovering — it’s to build a rhythm you can sustain.

Over or under-eating healthy fats.

I know this gets confusing. “Fat is good!” “Fat is bad!” We’ve heard it all and we are ready for clarity!

Healthy fats are essential for good health. They support our brain, joints, digestion and most importantly our feeling of satiety (feeling full and satisfied after a meal).

I find that most women fall on one extreme or the other.

Either fearing fat and not eating enough (therefore feeling hungry all the time, brittle nails, dry skin, brain fog) or over-eating healthy fats which easily adds up to more calories than our body realistically needs each day, which in turn, can lead to surprising and unintended weight gain.

What to do instead: As a general rule, remember that a little healthy fat goes a long way.

A single serving can look like:

• ¼ avocado

• 1-2 teaspoons olive oil

• 1 finger-size serving of cheese

• ½ - 1 tablespoon peanut butter

There is no need to fear fat, but portion sizes do matter when it comes to overall caloric intake matching your body’s actual caloric expenditure.

If you saw yourself in any of these... I want you to hear this:

You’re not alone in feeling like nothing is working.

You’re just human and have likely picked up some sneaky patterns over the years that seem small, but are contributing to feeling stuck.

As women we are bombarded with rules and weight loss strategies every single day - so it makes sense that along the way we’ll develop some patterns that don’t serve our actual goals.

At Lindywell, that’s exactly what we’re here to change.

We’re here to help you cut through the noise so you can feel clear and confident in where to focus to improve your health and feel like yourself again.

Which of these patterns resonated most with you?

Leave a comment and let me know — my team and I read every single response. 💛

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When my doctor asked if anything had changed, I said no. Nothing had changed. I was working out regularly, eating well, and cooking at home. I felt like I was doing all the things.

But eventually I sat down and took an honest look at what my days actually looked like.

Not what I thought I was doing. But what I was actually doing.

And the disconnect surprised me.

I felt like I was working out consistently, but in reality, I was barely fitting in two short workouts a week.

I felt like I was mostly cooking at home, but we were eating out way more than I realized.

I felt like dessert was an occasional thing, but somewhere along the way it had become a nightly routine.

I was surrounding myself with health and wellness content constantly, but I wasn’t consistently living it out.

I was saving healthy recipes, listening to podcasts about exercise, writing about wellness (it’s literally my job 😄) and thinking about wellness things all day long...

But in reality, I was practicing them maybe 30% of the time.

I don’t think I’m alone in this.

As women, we’re flooded with wellness information right now.

Social media. Podcasts. Books. Supplements. Ads. Trackers. Tips. Morning routines.. Protein everything. Cold plunges. Biohacking.

Sometimes thinking about wellness starts to feel like participating in wellness.

And in the era of overwhelm, that creates a really confusing disconnect.

Because many of us are walking around thinking:

“I care about my health.”

“I’m trying.”

“I’m taking the supplements...”

And all of that is true.

But at the same time, our actual day-to-day habits are quietly drifting further from what helps us feel our best.

Let me be clear: this isn’t because we’re lazy or because we don’t care.

It’s because we’re overwhelmed, carrying too much, and trying to hold a thousand things together at once. And on top of that, being told a new thing to do every time we open our phone.

For me, my actual habits had slipped even though I felt like I was doing all the things.

I think this is one of the real reasons many of us reach the point of saying: “I don’t feel like myself anymore.” “I feel off.” and “I don’t know what happened.”

You can care deeply about your health and still slowly lose touch with your habits. (It happens to all of us - myself included!)

But here’s what I want to offer you, not as criticism, but as an invitation:

• Pause and ask yourself: What do I think I’m doing vs. what am I actually doing consistently?

• Look back at your last month honestly. Did your workouts happen as often as you thought? How often were you eating out, skipping meals, staying up too late?

• Track your habits for even just a week. No judgment, just noticing.

And as you go through your week, remember, consuming wellness content is not the same as practicing wellness habits day in and day out.

Remember that consistency is what leads to change.

That’s why we built it into the Lindywell app experience.

The My Activity feature and Monthly Workout Calendar allow you to see your habits visually (the weeks where you got multiple check marks, the weeks where life took over).

Seeing visual progress can help you take an honest look at your actual habits. Not with guilt, but with grace and self-compassion.

In the era of wellness overload, awareness + consistency might be the most underrated wellness tools there are.

Take a deep breath and remember: it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.

At Lindywell, we’re here to support you. 💛

**If this post resonated and you're ready to stop consuming and start doing, that's exactly what the Lindywell app is built for. Short, effective Pilates workouts, simple nutrition guidance, and a community of women who get it. All in one place, without the overwhelm. You can try it free for 14 days right here.

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Someone asked me recently which health tests I’d recommend for women who want a clearer picture of their health.

And almost before I could answer, she followed up with: “I started looking into it online… and now I have a list of 47 things I’m apparently supposed to do.”

I get the overwhelm!

Between social media, podcasts, and well-meaning friends, it can feel like you need a never-ending list of tests if you want to take care of your health.

Gut microbiome tests, food sensitivity panels, genetic testing, continuous glucose monitors…all costing hundreds of dollars, some thousands, and most are not covered by insurance.

It’s a lot. And the truth is, going out and doing all of the testing, usually isn’t that helpful and isn’t the best use of your money.

After more than a decade of supporting women and many years navigating my own health and testing, I’ve found that more testing doesn’t always provide the clarity we’re after.

But there are 3 tests that I think are worth paying out of pocket for (and bonus: some may be covered by insurance):

1. Comprehensive Blood Work

This is the foundation and everyone deserves to get a full panel at least once a year.

So many women are walking around feeling tired, foggy, or just off, without realizing there might be something measurable contributing to how they feel.

Basic labs can reveal things like:

• vitamin D levels

• iron and ferritin (low iron is incredibly common and often missed)

• blood sugar markers like fasting insulin and A1C

• thyroid function

• cholesterol

• inflammation markers

What I love about blood work is that it often leads to clear, actionable next steps.

A few years ago I discovered my iron was low and addressing it made a noticeable difference in my energy. The same thing happened to a close friend of mine - she felt like a whole new person once she restored her iron levels.

Iron deficiency affects up to 1 in 3 women globally, yet it often goes undiagnosed because many doctors only look at hemoglobin and not ferritin levels (which indicates your iron reserves).

Start by asking your doctor for a comprehensive bloodwork panel and mention any specific symptoms you’re experiencing.

Interpreting your results:

Once you get your results, your doctor should schedule an appointment to walk you through the lab results and make a plan for support if needed.

If that’s not accessible, something like Function Health (what my husband and I use) makes it easy to get comprehensive bloodwork done a few times per year, without seeing a doctor in person.

With the results you also receive notes from a clinician and an action plan with suggested supplements and protocols.

I found it very helpful to have my bloodwork already done and printed to bring to my annual OB/GYN appointment so that she could take a look at my bloodwork at the appointment. Efficient and helpful for both of us!

A quick note about hormones…

For women in their 40s and 50s, hormones are often the first thing people think about when something feels off (sleep changes, mood shifts, stubborn weight gain, irregular cycles).

Hormone testing can be helpful in certain situations, but it’s also an area where testing can quickly become confusing and expensive.

Hormone levels can be checked through bloodwork, but because hormones fluctuate daily (and throughout the month), a single blood test doesn’t always give a complete picture.

One option some practitioners use is the DUTCH Plus test, which measures hormone levels through saliva and urine samples. It can provide a deeper look at how your body is processing estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol and I’ve personally found it helpful in my own health journey.

That said, for many women, starting with foundational bloodwork and focusing on sleep, stress management, nutrition, and strength training can significantly support hormone balance before jumping into more specialized testing - which can be expensive and confusing to interpret on your own.

If symptoms persist, working with a functional medicine doctor to explore more advanced hormone testing can be a helpful next step - but I’d start a comprehensive bloodwork panel first.

2. A DEXA Scan

If there’s one test I wish more women in midlife knew about, it’s this one.

A DEXA scan measures:

• bone density

• muscle mass

• body composition

This information becomes increasingly important as we move through our 40s, 50s, and beyond.

Muscle and bone strength are two of the biggest factors in long-term health and independence, and yet most of us have no idea where we actually stand.

Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the 5–7 years following menopause, which is why understanding your baseline earlier can be so helpful.

Hormonal changes during menopause can create sudden changes in bone density so it’s worth it to keep an eye on your levels before the standard age of 65 when insurance usually kicks in.

Weight alone tells us very little about what’s actually happening inside our bodies. A DEXA scan gives you a much clearer picture and that clarity can allow you to make proactive changes.

My insurance doesn’t cover it yet, so I pay $100 out of pocket once a year at a local clinic. The test takes about 20 minutes and is super simple. A quick search should help you find a provider near you.

How to interpret your results:

If a DEXA scan is covered by your provider, your doctor will review your results with you.

If you choose to go to a local clinic as I did, the technician will give you a clear print out of your results, walk you through them and let you know if they recommend you follow up with your doctor regarding a specific finding.

3. Advanced Heart Health Markers

Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in women and yet many of us don’t have a full picture of our cardiovascular health.

Two markers worth knowing about: ApoB and Lp(a).

ApoB gives a more accurate picture of the particles in your blood that contribute to arterial plaque buildup.

Lp(a) is a genetic marker that can indicate higher cardiovascular risk over a lifetime (and most people only need to test it once).

These aren’t commonly discussed, but they can offer meaningful insight that a standard panel misses. This will help you look beyond just the cholesterol numbers to get a better understanding of your actual risk.

You can ask your doctor to add them to your bloodwork or include them through a service like Function Health.

(This is not sponsored, I’m a paying customer of Function Health, however I do have a refer-a-friend link if you’re interested in checking it out.)

Here’s what I really want you to hear as you take all of this in:

You are the most important advocate for your own health.

I know that can feel exhausting, especially when you’re already managing so much and it’s hard to know where to start.

But you are smart, you are intuitive, and you are more capable of navigating this than you might think. And Lindywell is here to support you. 💛

And remember, data is a helpful tool that can guide you and whatever you discover, you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight.

Simple lifestyle changes can have a significant and measurable impact.

The things we come back to again and again at Lindywell:

• moving consistently (and building strength)

• eating nourishing foods

• managing stress

• prioritizing sleep

• getting outside

• playing and connecting with people you love

Those habits aren’t glamorous and they don’t trend on social media. But I wrote an entire book about them because of how powerful they actually are.

Over time, these habits are the things that actually change your health.

At Lindywell we’re here to support you as you take control of your health, advocate for yourself and make foundational changes that serve you for years to come.

If you want support and guidance on building these foundational habits, here are 2 ways I can support you:

Join the Lindywell app: start a free trial to get access to 450+ at-home workouts + nourishing recipes + breathwork to reduce stress and regulate your nervous system.

Check out my book: Well to the Core

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Long days, slower mornings, a little more sunshine…there’s something about this season that just invites us to breathe a little deeper and enjoy life more.

And over the years, I’ve landed on a handful of products that genuinely help me feel my best all summer long - whether I’m chasing kids at the beach or sneaking off for a date al fresco with my husband.

Today I’m sharing all of them with you. No sponsored items, just the things I actually use and love…

☀️ Sunscreen

Can we just acknowledge how hard it is to find a sunscreen that actually works AND has clean ingredients AND doesn’t leave you looking like a ghost? I’ve tried so many over the years (for myself and for our kids) and I finally have a lineup I love.

Here’s what’s in my bag this summer:

Tower 28 Sunny Days Tinted SPF: This one is my personal favorite for my face. It goes on beautifully and the tint means I can skip foundation on beach days. Win.

Alba Botanica Sunscreen: A great all-over option for the whole family. Clean ingredients, affordable, and it actually rubs in.

Babo Botanicals Super Shield Mineral Stick: This is my secret weapon for little faces and last-minute touch-ups. So easy to swipe on without the fuss.

💧 Hydration

Warmer weather and frequent travel means I have to be way more intentional about staying hydrated - and plain water only goes so far.

I love Ultima Electrolytes. No sugar, fairly clean ingredients, and it feels like a nice treat in the afternoon.

💪 Resistance Bands for Travel

Our Lindywell Resistance Bands are the first thing I pack when traveling. They’re lightweight, they don’t take up any space in your bag, and they make it so easy to stay consistent with your movement even when your routine is off.

My vacation go-to is the 10-Minute band series in the Lindywell app.

🩳 What I’m Wearing

I have three sets of these Villa Shorts and the Villa Cropped Tank from Vuori. They’re soft enough to lounge in, put-together enough to wear to brunch, and they’ve become my default everything outfit. If you like comfy, lightweight clothing, you’ll love this set.

✨ Sunless Tanner

I may not lay out like I used to, but I still love a little color in the summer, and Salty Face has been my go-to.

The Face Set is so easy to use and gives the most natural-looking result (no streaks, no orange!), and the Tanning Foam is great for the body. It’s not a full sunless tanner so you don’t have to stress about the application, it’s more like a subtle tint which is exactly what I’m going for.

That’s my summer lineup! I hope something on this list makes your season a little easier, a little healthier, or just a little more fun. 🌊

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I heard something recently that I just can’t stop thinking about.

I was listening to a podcast where a wellness influencer was doing a Q&A with her audience.

Someone asked her: “What’s your routine before going out to dinner with friends?”

I leaned in, genuinely curious.

And what followed was a 19-step, all-day protocol that included weightlifting, a sauna session, celery juice, pre-meal walks, activated charcoal, probiotics, castor oil on the belly button, digestive enzymes, an epsom salt bath, and a long list of additional supplements.

Nineteen steps.

Just to go out to dinner.

The very next day, I saw an Instagram reel where a woman shared her 13-step morning routine: cold plunging, supplements, meditation, face yoga, dry brushing, a PEMF mat, and more.

Now, I’m all for routines that help you feel your best. I have wellness routines that I love and love to share.

But moments like this make me pause.

Because wellness has become such a massive industry that it’s getting harder and harder to know what’s actually helpful… and what’s just noise.

One scroll through social media and it’s easy to start wondering:

Should I be doing all of that too?

And what I see happening over and over again is this:

We’re trying to optimize our health before we’ve even solidified the basics.

And that’s what I want to talk about today.

Why Do Wellness Trends Focus on Optimization Instead of the Basics?

I love finding new ways to support my own health and my family’s. And many of these trending tools do have merit.

Certain supplements, used intentionally, can support specific goals.

Practices like sauna or nutrient tracking can be valuable for the right person at the right time.

But there’s a meaningful difference between making intentional choices to support your health and getting swept into an optimization culture that always has something new to sell you.

One moves you forward and meets you where you’re at.

The other keeps you in a cycle of focusing on the next flashy thing - but not necessarily the thing that moves the needle most.

What concerns me most isn’t the tools themselves. It’s the order of operations.

Most of these strategies are designed to enhance a foundation that’s already solid.

But what most people miss is that they’re the 5%, not the 95%.

When we skip straight to the 5%, it’s a bit like adding a high-performance fuel to a car that hasn’t had an oil change in years.

The foundation has to come first. And most of us (even the most wellness-savvy among us) have far more room to grow in the basics than we do in the advanced strategies.

Why the Most Effective Health Habits Are the Simple Ones

The Basics Are Not Boring. They’re Just Not Profitable.

As a founder, Pilates instructor, and Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, I understand something about this industry that I think is worth saying out loud: at its core, wellness has become a business industry. And like any industry, it grows by creating demand.

Social media has only intensified this. Influencers build entire platforms around their morning routines, supplement stacks, cold plunges, and continuous glucose monitors - leading you to believe that the NEW thing might be the thing that finally moves the needle for you.

Or even leading you to believe the more you do, the better you’ll feel.

Let me share something I’ve observed working with women for over a decade: the ones who feel the best in their bodies are almost never the ones doing the most.

They’re the ones who consistently prioritize the fundamentals:

What Are the Most Important Health Basics for Long-Term Wellness?

• Daily movement

• Adequate hydration

• Nourishing meals built around whole foods

• Quality sleep

• Stress regulation

These are the things that science has proven, again and again, to have the biggest impact on our health and how we feel.

Consider walking alone. Data from nearly 227,000 people across multiple countries found that every 1,000 steps added to your daily total was associated with a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality. Not a supplement. Not a 10-step protocol. Just a simple walk!

Or take hydration. A NIH study that followed more than 11,000 adults for 25 years found that people who were chronically under-hydrated had a significantly higher risk of developing chronic disease and were more likely to experience accelerated aging.

As a Nutrition Therapy Practitioner, I know that the sequence in which we support the body matters enormously.

We don’t add targeted supplements and adaptogens before we’ve addressed whether someone is digesting their food well, sleeping enough, eating enough, or drinking enough water.

Starting with the “extras” before building the foundation is like decorating a house before the walls are even up.

The foundations move the needle because before the body is reading for optimization, it needs a solid foundation.

When you improve the foundation, your body responds and has the best possible chance to function optimally on its own.

These basics don’t get much attention because, frankly, they don’t get clicks and they don’t sell.

It’s hard to build a product line around “drink more water and go to bed earlier” and there’s no influencer commission on a 20-minute evening walk.

But I’m here to tell you that there is a profound transformation available to you on the other side of those simple, unsexy habits.

And it’s a big part of what we focus on here at Lindywell.

What Should You Focus on First When Improving Your Health?

If you’re feeling exhausted, inflamed, out of sync with your body, or like nothing you try is working, before you add anything new, I want you to honestly ask yourself how you’re doing with the basics:

• Are you moving your body consistently most days of the week?

• Are you drinking enough water throughout the day?

• Are you eating regular, nourishing meals with enough protein?

• Are you getting 7-8 hours of sleep most nights?

• Are you doing anything to actively regulate your nervous system - even five minutes of deep breathing or a slow walk outside?

If the honest answer to any of those is not really - that’s your work right now.

Why Consistent Health Habits Matter More Than the Latest Wellness Trend

The honest truth:

If you’re not walking daily, hold off on buying the expensive gadget and get outside.

If you’re skipping meals or eating convenience foods, don’t add an expensive supplement until you focus on the food you’re eating first.

I’ve seen so many women spin their wheels chasing optimization or the “next thing” while their foundation is where the real opportunity exists.

Build the foundation first. Then explore what else might support you further.

A Simple Question to Help You Build a Stronger Health Foundation

Here’s what I want you to take away from all of this…

You don’t need a 19-step routine to enjoy dinner with your friends, you don’t need a cabinet full of supplements and you don’t need the latest piece of equipment in order to improve your health.

What most of us need is to focus on the basics with consistency.

The wellness industry will always be selling you the next thing. That’s not going to change. But I encourage you to continue being a thoughtful consumer so you can decide what you actually need.

More often than not, the answer is simpler than you think.

This is exactly why Lindywell exists. To be the voice that tells you the truth, even when the truth is less exciting than a new protocol.

We’re here to help you build the kind of health that actually lasts: through consistent movement, real nourishment, and a kinder relationship with your body.

So this week, I invite you to reflect on one question:

What’s one foundational habit you could focus on right now?

Start there. I promise it will be far more effective than chasing the latest trend.

I genuinely enjoy trying new things when it comes to health and fitness. I focus on my foundations 95% of the time and fun, new things 5% of the time. Partly because I enjoy it and partly because it’s my job to continue learning and testing so I can help you cut through the noise.

Do you have confusion on whether something is an unnecessary trend or want more guidance on how to focus on a specific foundational habit? Leave a comment on this post so I can address it in an upcoming Wellness Wednesday article. 💛

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It seems like I woke up one day and all of a sudden my neck skin started to sag!

Didn’t I just graduate college, get married and have babies?

How does this shift happen so fast?!

I’m passionate about embracing aging and aging with confidence and I take intentional steps to model that for my kids and for our community.

But if I’m really honest, I still struggle with it.

And I have a feeling I’m not the only one.

Most days, I feel grounded and grateful for my body, for the life I’ve lived, for the wisdom that comes with getting older.

And then there are other moments - like catching my reflection in the mirror or seeing myself on camera - where I find myself pulling my neck skin back just to see what it used to look like, or wondering when certain changes happened so quickly.

I genuinely want to embrace the gift of getting older. I believe in it. I talk about it. I truly do believe it is a privilege.

And at the same time…I use a red light device for my skin.

I buy hair thickening products.

I get facials.

I save the wrinkle-prevention tips and share them with my friends. (Has anyone else tried face yoga??)

This is the tension I live in.

The world we live in is genuinely confusing.

We’re surrounded by messaging that tells us aging is a problem to be fixed, while also being told to love ourselves exactly as we are.

We watch more and more friends go the Botox route, and suddenly we’re the ones who feel like we’re falling behind (even if that’s not a path we want to take).

And then there’s the social piece that nobody really talks about.

Women bond over these topics.

The skincare routines, the treatments, the “okay but what are you using” conversations. (I love those conversations too!)

But sometimes I feel this weird tension, like trying to embrace my body and aging somehow makes me an outsider in those moments.

And worse, like I’m judging people who do pursue anti-aging procedures (I promise I’m not - because I do it in my own way too!).

I recently listened to a podcast with researcher and author Hilary McBride, and she named this inner tension in a way that I couldn’t have said better myself.

She talked about how we all have a story about aging.

And the research shows that the stories we carry about aging were mostly handed to us.

From our families, from the media, from the wellness industry that has a serious financial interest in making women feel like they’re not enough.

But when we get exposure to different stories, we build new filters.

We get new ways of making meaning out of the phase of life we’re actually in.

That’s what I want Lindywell to be for you.

Not a place that tells you to stop caring how you look (I will always love a good skincare tip!).

Not a place that adds pressure.

But a place that offers a different story about what it means to age well.

One that holds space for the tension.

One that says you can use the face serum and still untangle your worth from your wrinkles.

That says you can be proud of the wisdom and season you’ve earned and also have moments where you’re still adjusting to the face looking back at you in the mirror.

Because I think what we want in addition to looking young, is to feel young.

To feel playful, energetic and vibrant.

To be women who are still up for the adventure, still laughing, still curious and still able to go on adventures.

That’s the kind of youthfulness that is genuinely fulfilling. (More fulfilling than a face that is free of wrinkles.)

The reality is, we are always evolving.

From puberty to perimenopause to menopause and beyond, we are always moving through seasons.

Each one brings real challenges. And each one brings an opportunity to step into a clearer, more intentional version of yourself.

Hilary ends her conversation with a question I keep coming back to:

What if aging isn’t a problem to be solved, but a portal to walk through?

I don’t have this all figured out, I’m right here in it with you.

But I know that at Lindywell, we want to walk through that portal together, with real conversations, real bodies, and a lot more grace than the wellness industry usually offers.

If this hits home for you, reply and tell me where you feel the tension most. There is a lot we can unpack here in upcoming Wellness Wednesday posts. 💛

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And here’s the link to the full podcast with Hilary McBride, it’s long but definitely worth a listen.

If your feed looks anything like mine, you’ve probably seen it - post after post telling you that heavy lifting is the only way to build strength.

That if you’re not in the gym lifting heavy, you’re not getting results.

And maybe part of you wondered, “is that true?”

So let’s talk about it. Because the answer is more nuanced than the internet wants you to believe.

It’s no secret that Pilates is my foundation.

Pilates strengthens your core, restores alignment, builds body awareness, and teaches you how to move well.

It develops the kind of body awareness that makes every other form of exercise more effective and more sustainable. And it has truly transformed my body.

If Pilates is your foundation too, you might be wondering where it fits in.

Do you need to add weights? Is Pilates enough? Let’s get into it…

What we know for sure: building muscle is essential to good health.

Maintaining and building muscle is one of the most important things you can do for your health as you age, especially in your 40s and beyond.

We start losing muscle mass as early as age 30, and that rate accelerates in perimenopause and menopause.

Research shows that women can lose 3–8% of their muscle mass per decade after 30, with losses accelerating significantly after 60. And you can feel it before you can see it.

What that translates to in real life:

• lower energy

• slower metabolism

• less bone density

• increased risk of injury

• a body that feels harder to live in

Muscle isn’t just about movement. It’s an organ and the health of that organ has a direct impact on your metabolism, your energy, and how you feel day to day.

Which means maintaining it doesn’t just happen on its own. We have to actively work for it.

Everyday life doesn’t challenge our muscles and bones the way it used to.

Joseph Pilates wrote about this back in 1945 and it’s striking how much more true it is today than when he first said it.

He opened his book with the line: “Civilization impairs physical fitness.”

He was dedicated to helping people fight back against the way our lifestyle was impairing our physical health.

That was 80 years ago!

Before smartphones and desk jobs became the norm. Before we started spending hours a day hunched over screens.

If he thought modern life was getting in the way of our bodies back then, imagine what he’d say now.

Dr. Vonda Wright, orthopedic surgeon and author of Unbreakable, says, “Aging to frailty only seems normal because modern life made it so.”

The point is, we have to actively work against our lifestyle these days.

We MUST challenge our muscles and bones in order to build strength.

And that word bones matters more than most people realize.

Bone is living tissue. It responds to stress and challenge by remodeling and growing stronger - but only if we give it a reason to.

Without that stimulus, bone density declines. This is why weight-bearing and resistance exercise isn’t just good for your muscles, it’s essential for your bone health too.

What’s the most well-studied way to build muscle? Progressive overload.

When people say “progressive overload” they’re referring to consistently and gradually increasing the challenge to your muscles over time.

The same principle applies to bone. It needs progressive challenge to adapt and strengthen.

But lifting extremely heavy weights isn’t the only way to increase challenge. It can also happen with:

• Resistance bands

• Bodyweight training

• Reformer Pilates

• Moderate weights with higher rep ranges

The mechanism matters more than the method.

Your muscles don’t know if you’re using a barbell, bodyweight or a resistance spring, they just know they’re being challenged.

Using heavy weights is one of the most direct (and well-studied) ways to progressively challenge your muscles, which is why it’s recommended particularly for women in midlife and beyond.

It can be intimidating though! A quick scroll through Instagram will tell you:

“If you’re not lifting heavy, you’re not building strength.”

“Heavy weights are the ONLY way to build muscle and stay strong.”

So it’s normal to wonder if you’re doing enough and if you should be doing more.

Should every woman be lifting heavy? Not exactly.

This is where the blanket advice we hear online starts to break down and where I want you to feel permission to think about your body and your situation.

When people say “lift heavy,” they’re often referring to a specific style of training:

• low reps (think 4–6)

• maximum load

• pushing to full muscle exhaustion (the point where you can barely finish your last rep)

For some women, that’s a great fit. But for most, it’s something to work up to, but not a great starting point.

Jumping into heavy weight training at max exertion without the right foundation can actually do more harm than good.

Here are a few things to consider before jumping into lifting heavy weights:

Pelvic Floor Health: Many women (especially postpartum) are dealing with some degree of pelvic floor dysfunction without even realizing it.

Heavy lifting puts significant downward pressure on the pelvic floor, and without proper function and alignment restored first, that load can contribute to prolapse, leakage, or worsening symptoms.

Pilates is uniquely positioned to address this. It’s one of the most effective tools for restoring pelvic floor function and building the internal support your body needs which is why I recommend Pilates as a foundational form of exercise, especially if you want to lift heavy weights.

Joint Hypermobility: Some women are naturally more flexible and mobile in their joints, which can actually make them more vulnerable to injury under heavy loads without proper stabilization and control first. It doesn’t mean you can’t lift heavy, it just means you need to have a solid foundation first.

Joint and connective tissue changes: As estrogen declines in perimenopause and menopause, so does its protective effect on our joints and ligaments.

This means our connective tissue becomes less elastic and more vulnerable to strain - which is why women in their 50s often find that jumping into heavy lifting leads to nagging aches and injuries that take far longer to heal than they used to.

While your muscles might feel ready, your connective tissue may not be. Starting small and building a strong foundation first is key.

Osteoporosis or Low Bone Density: While resistance training is beneficial for bone health, certain high-load exercises can increase fracture risk for women who haven’t been evaluated and aren’t working with proper guidance.

If you’re over 50, you want to have a clear picture of your bone health before diving into a heavy lifting routine.

I pay $100 for a Dexa at a local clinic once per year. A quick online search can help you find one in your area or you can request a Dexa scan (or similar) from your doctor.

Post-Injury or Post-Surgical Recovery: Jumping into heavy lifting before your body has fully rehabilitated isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a setup for re-injury.

It can be hard to take time off if exercise is part of your routine, but the healthiest thing for your body is to take time to recover and to return with patience and care.

My recommendation? Start with Pilates. Rebuild your foundation. Notice how you feel as you progress and build from there.

High Stress + High Cortisol: This one doesn’t get talked about enough. For women in perimenopause or high stress seasons - already navigating elevated cortisol, very high-intensity training can actually add to the stress load on your body, making recovery harder and hormonal symptoms worse.

Sometimes training smarter means training a little lighter - at least for a season.

I don’t share these to dissuade you from lifting heavy weights, simply to remind you that you need to consider your unique body and season of life as you start a new form of exercise.

If you fall into a category above, lifting heavy weights can absolutely still be a part of your routine, you just need a solid foundation and a thoughtful progression.

Here’s what my own routine looks like in this season:

You know I’m big on seasons of life and my routine changes based on my health, stress levels, work schedule, kids’ ages and many other factors.

Pilates is my foundation in every season, and right now I do a combination of Pilates and weight lifting.

With weights, I’m focusing on progressive overload - aiming to lift 2-4x per week focusing on lower body, upper body and full body routines. I do basic weight training exercises and simply add more weight or reps over time to ensure I’m continually challenging myself.

While lifting, I keep my Pilates foundations in mind: breath, control, precision, core connection.

I do Pilates at home (usually 10-30 minutes at a time) to ensure I’m strengthening muscles that weight lifting doesn’t target, maintaining core strength, caring for my spine, improving my posture and preventing injury.

The mind-body connection and body awareness built in Pilates makes every other form of exercise more effective.

The goal is to work smarter, not just harder.

Pilates strengthens your core, restores alignment, builds body awareness, and teaches you how to move well, which is exactly what you need before you layer in heavier loading.

The more connected and in tune you are with how your body feels when it moves, the more you can challenge yourself safely when you decide to add heavier weights.

At Lindywell, our Pilates programming helps you move well so you can build real, lasting strength in a way that feels good and supports your life for years to come.

Our Pilates-Inspired Weight Training series in the Lindywell app is designed to help you safely progress in your weight lifting, while keeping your Pilates principles in mind to reduce risk of injury and help you feel your best.

Should every woman challenge her muscles and build strength?

Yes, absolutely!

Should every woman follow the “lift heavy no matter what” advice flooding your feed?

Not without context and definitely not without considering your unique body and where you are right now.

Wherever you find yourself (just starting out, coming back after a break, or trying to figure out what your body needs in this season) you’re in the right place.

You deserve guidance that actually considers you and your unique situation - not a one-size-fits-all trend and that’s what we are here to help you with at Lindywell. 💛

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We’ve worked so hard to move past the idea that a woman’s worth is measured in how small she is.

I’ve spent years helping women untangle the belief that smaller equals healthier. Equals happier. Equals more worthy of taking up space in the world.

And we’ve made progress! The conversation about body image, about strength over shrinking, about nourishing rather than punishing…that conversation shifted.

With the rise of GLP-1’s, while there is hope for many from a medical standpoint, from a marketing standpoint, I’m concerned by the direction we’re headed.

The weight loss ads are once again inescapable.

A few weeks ago, I was curled up on the couch with my kids when Serena Williams appeared on the screen. I assumed it was going to be an ad about strength, about athleticism, about all the things she represents as one of the greatest athletes of our time.

Instead, it was an ad for Ro, a telehealth company that sells GLP-1 medications. She injected herself on camera and said, “It’s not a shortcut. It’s science.” (No mention of deeper health concerns, no discussion of her health as a whole, just a pure focus on her weight loss.)

I audibly groaned.

Not because I’m anti–GLP-1. I’m not. I want to be really clear about that from the start.

But because weight loss advertising is once again everywhere and my kids were right there watching with me.

(Side note: I paused the TV and we had a little conversation about how ads are always trying to sell us something, and that getting smaller doesn’t automatically mean getting healthier - and we don’t know her full story. Also that Serena is being paid to make this commercial and that her husband is an investor in Ro. Worth knowing.)

I’ve been sitting with this topic for a while now, turning it over, researching, taking in multiple points of view, trying to find the right words. Because I don’t want to be dismissive and I don’t want to be alarmist.

But I do think this conversation needs more nuance than what we’re currently getting - so today, I’m sharing my honest take on GLP-1s.

But first, what are GLP-1s?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally produces after you eat.

Its job is to slow stomach emptying, increase insulin release, reduce blood sugar, and signal fullness to your brain.

GLP-1 medications are designed to mimic this hormone. The medications are synthetic compounds engineered to:

1. Last much longer than natural GLP-1 (which breaks down in minutes)

2. Be more potent than what your body naturally makes

3. Resist degradation so they can be injected weekly instead of constantly produced

So while they’re based on a naturally occurring hormone in the body, the actual medications are manufactured pharmaceutical compounds — not extracted from natural sources.

They were originally developed for Type 2 diabetes and some are now approved for chronic weight management. Examples include Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

What I’m genuinely encouraged by…

Let me start here, because I think it matters: for people living with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and serious metabolic disease; people who have felt completely stuck despite their best efforts, GLP-1 medications provide a lot of hope.

I’ve seen how debilitating metabolic dysfunction can be. It creates a cycle that is incredibly hard to break.

These medications can interrupt that cycle.

They can open a door that has felt sealed shut. And for many people, they can be the catalyst that makes other healthy lifestyle shifts finally feel possible.

I know some of you are on GLP-1s and seeing real benefits (better energy, improved labs, the ability to move more freely) and they have helped you embrace additional lifestyle changes that are helping you feel your best.

That’s wonderful, and I’m genuinely happy for you!

As I share my concerns, know they’re not about your choice, they’re about how as these medications become mainstream, they are increasingly being marketed and prescribed without the kind of care we all deserve.

Where my concern is increasing…

What started as a promising medication for people with significant health conditions has rapidly become a mainstream weight loss trend.

And with an enormous amount of money to be made, the guardrails are coming off fast. (Companies, brands and influencers are flocking to get in on the money that can be made in this category right now.)

My growing concern is that GLP-1s are now being marketed more like a supplement than a medication.

Like something anyone and everyone should use. Something you just add to your routine...in the same way you might add a protein shake.

And THAT genuinely concerns me.

Because these are not supplements.

They are medications, and they come with real considerations that aren’t making it into the Instagram ads and stories we swipe past daily.

A friend recently told me she went to her doctor to discuss concerns about weight gain. Before running any blood work. Before taking her health history. Before asking what she’d already tried, her doctor immediately recommended a GLP-1.

That stopped me in my tracks. That is not how this should work.

This is an example of how inconsistent the standards of care are right now.

We all deserve doctors who take the time to truly understand the picture of our health before prescribing medications and GLP-1s are no exception.

A few things I keep coming back to…

Nutrient deficiency is a real risk

As a nutritionist, I know how hard it already is for most women to get adequate nutrition from their diet - even when they’re eating well and eating enough.

When you add a powerful appetite suppressant to the mix, you significantly reduce the chance that your body is getting the minerals, vitamins, and protein it needs to thrive.

We’re talking potential hair loss, bone loss, and not giving your brain the fuel it needs to function at its best.

These are not minor side effects.

We are talking about your quality of life beyond menopause and your overall longevity. It’s important because what you do now has a direct impact on your future body.

For women especially (particularly those of us navigating perimenopause, hormonal shifts, and the very real changes that come with midlife) adequate nutrition is foundational.

My concern is that not every provider is having the conversation about nutrients and muscle maintenance - and without that guidance, health can actually decline even as weight comes off.

And the more companies that hop on the bandwagon of selling this medication, the fewer conversations are even happening and the less guardrails there are in the industry as a whole.

These things matter significantly for long-term health.

Muscle loss matters more than we think

As women, we already lose muscle mass as we age. It’s one of the reasons I talk so much about the importance of strength and movement as we get older.

Muscle is not just about aesthetics. Muscle protects your metabolism, your bone density, your energy levels, and your long-term independence.

Research shows that GLP-1 medications can accelerate muscle loss alongside fat loss.

That trade-off has long-term consequences that aren’t being discussed loudly enough, especially for women in their 40s and 50s who are already working against that tide. Muscle becomes increasingly difficult to build as we age, even without medications.

If weight loss occurs, but strength declines as well - is it truly worth it? If you’re taking a GLP-1 primarily for weight loss and not disease, this is a question worth asking.

What happens when you stop?

This is the question I don’t see enough people asking before they start: what’s the plan long term?

These are expensive medications, and insurance coverage is inconsistent. Many people simply can’t stay on them indefinitely.

Research is clear that when people stop taking GLP-1s without a solid lifestyle foundation in place, weight often returns, and typically more than before.

That’s not a failure of the person. That’s what happens when a medication fills a gap instead of supporting a larger shift in lifestyle changes.

Before starting, this conversation needs to happen, openly and honestly, with a provider who actually knows your full picture.

If you’re taking a GLP-1, continue to prioritize your nutrition, your workouts, your sleep and the lifestyle habits that will serve you for years to come. This will always be necessary and the benefits go far beyond weight loss.

And there’s so much more we need to discuss…

I have other concerns but going into detail on each one would require me to write a book and I know you have other things to do with your day today. :)

So for now, I’ll say that there are several other areas that need careful attention as GLP-1s become more mainstream:

Eating disorders and disordered eating: Now that essentially anyone can become an affiliate and sell these medications online, oversight is going way down.

For someone with a history of disordered eating, this could be genuinely dangerous. This needs more protection, not less.

Young people and the next generation: I’ve spent more than a decade pushing back on the idea that smaller always equals better or healthier.

Watching Hollywood, social media, and now the people around us get drastically smaller (and seeing it celebrated) worries me deeply for the girls watching.

This adds to an already heavy pressure. More to come on this in a future email.

My deepest concern: the increasing pressure for women to shrink

The message is the same one we’ve been hearing our whole lives: you need to be smaller.

What was originally clinical is now also being dressed up as a quick-fix and aspirational.

It’s being endorsed by women we admire and it’s being promoted by (already thin and healthy) influencers that our teenagers look to for advice.

To be clear…can someone be thin and healthy? Of course. Can weight loss be a part of getting healthier? Absolutely!

But as I’ve been saying for years, weight is one data point among many.

Weight loss alone doesn’t automatically make someone healthy. And the pressure on women to make themselves smaller to fit the societal norm, has been exhausting and unhelpful.

So what do I want you to take away from all of this?

If you’re in a situation where a GLP-1 medication is or could be a part of a thoughtful, medically supervised health plan, I want you to feel supported in exploring that.

I encourage you to do it with a provider who knows your blood work, your history, your mental health, and your goals (not an influencer or an app that asks three questions and mails you a subscription).

I encourage you to ask questions, push for blood work and have a plan to build muscle and nourish yourself well in the process.

And if you don’t have a medical need, but you’re seeing the ads and the before-and-afters and feeling like maybe you should be getting smaller too, I want you to pause.

Come back to yourself.

Ask yourself what you actually want and what health actually looks like for you. Not what’s being sold to you.

You deserve more than another company profiting off of the pressure you feel to be smaller.

You deserve to be genuinely supported in your quest to become healthier, stronger and more vibrant - whatever path that looks like for you.

As always, I’m here, navigating all of this right alongside you and Lindywell will always be about supporting you to feel strong, vibrant and truly well.

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Sources:
Image: https://larsonsportsortho.com/exercise-after-60/
Image: https://www.ro.com

Magic Pill by Johann Hari

Loving: One thing I’ve realized as I get older and find my own style…is that I like my clothes to feel like pajamas. 😆

My days are a mix of sitting at my computer, working from my walking pad, actual walks around the neighborhood and shuttling kids around town. And I like to be comfy while doing it.

I’ve been living in these wide leg pants by Vuori. They’re soft, flattering and so comfortable.

Using: A shared iphone note to help lighten my mental load.

The mental load of work and motherhood is real.

My husband, Matt, and I have had many conversations about how my brain works vs. how his brain works and after yet another conversation about the mental load I carry around each day, he came up with the idea of a shared note called “Robin’s Brain.”

It’s been super helpful for us - click here to see how it works.

Learning: How to savor moments in my life to experience more happiness.

As a working mom of 4, my days are packed. And if I’m not intentional, I will rush through my days without slowing down to enjoy or be truly present for any of it.

This podcast episode by Dr. Arther Brooks makes a research-backed case for the value of savoring small moments in our daily lives.

I’m now going through my day and pausing to savor simple moments - from my first morning sip of coffee, to the moments on the sidelines.

I encourage you to see what you can pause and savor today too. 💛

I’ll be back with another Wellness Wednesday post next week!