The Real Life RD

helping you find peace with food and your natural body size

  • the RD & NP
  • Online Courses
  • Women’s Wellness
  • Speaking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Exercise, Hormones, Stress

Movement Vs Exercise

June 13, 2017 By Robyn 43 Comments

Just like our bodies change with seasons and our eating patterns change, so do our exercise rhythms. Two years ago I was training for the New York City marathon and the two to three years before that I ran with the Charlottesville Track Club, meeting my friends at the track by 5:30am 1-2x a week and training for races, including an almost annual 26.2. I really, really enjoyed it.

But then I realized I didn’t anymore. I don’t want to say those days are long gone, because I don’t think they are…but I do think they are on hold for a while.

What is the difference between healthy movement and obligatory exercise? | The Real Life RD

I spent my first year in New York running with some nursing school friends and ran a bit with NYRR, but with the craziness of school and working and simply trying to just live in the city it became too much. So much so, that I dropped out of training for my 2nd NYC marathon in the summer of 2016. Running had turned from being a positive addition to my life and was now a huge stressor. So I stopped.

A few months later I started going to Equinox, a ‘plushier’ gym in the city with lots of really amazing classes, which is the main reason I joined. I loved all the hot yoga and barre and spin classes – and then came to love kickboxing and zumba (for real, fav class) and I liked how I could workout based on whatever I was feeling because I had so many choices. But then this past spring, going to the gym started to feel like an obligation. I would feel bad if I didn’t go because it was so expensive. That obligatory feeling in addition to the realization of student loans coming in, made a $225 gym membership very easy to give up.

healthy movement

I quit the gym in April and it felt really good. And really freeing. Not just from a financial point (because yes, that guilt melted away) but from an emotional standpoint because I stopped feeling bad/guilty if I didn’t go to the gym. Side note on Equinox or any gym: if it triggers you to be around “fit” people or to hear messages about “calories you’re burning” (seriously, the worst motivator ever) in gym classes or see ads of really “toned” people around the gym…please don’t go to that gym. I absolutely hate Equinox’s advertising and don’t support it at all, but I’m also in a head space where that bounces right off me, thankfully. Over time I found the instructors that taught with a posture of body positivity so I stuck with those and avoided all the others.

Looking back, I’ve gone from running with a group and training for long races to walking and jogging and doing yoga and barre and whatever feels good for my body that day. And this “flow” and type of movement feels really really good.

healthy movement

I love the chapter on movement in the book, Health at Every Size, because it pushes back against what society tells us. We overlook the simplicity of healthy movement. It doesn’t mean you have to have this regimented exercise routine that you must do to be healthy. The best part about engaging in movement that truly is best for you is that you might not even know you’re doing it.

Doesn’t that sound so much better?

Think about this: if you’re doing a workout that you hate, you’re not releasing feel good neurotransmitters in your brain. Instead, you’re releasing a shiz ton of cortisol. So not only is that movement not healthy for you mentally or emotionally, but you’re creating more cortisol…aka more stress. Cortisol is a good thing for us, it helps regulate a lot of systems and processes in the body and we need it to survive. But when we have too much, it’s not good.

Think decreased immune system, increased blood sugar, GI issues (think bloating, cramps etc etc), fertility issues (cortisol messes with the release of female hormones in particular) and what I think is very important to note…when you’re doing exercise you don’t like, you’re not doing it for health reasons…you’re doing it to control the size and shape of your body. And if you’re releasing excess cortisol instead of happy neurotransmitters, that cortisol mobilizes fat storage. I don’t say that to fear monger, but instead to shout, “Doing movement you hate isn’t healthy at all! And it’s going against the unhealthy motivation {changing your body} you have to workout in the first place!”

healthy movementThere will be a time and a place when perhaps I get back into long distance running, but right now is not that time at all. Having any sort of “plan” seems really stressful and rigid and not free or fun at all.

For me, when I have a long day or back to back busy days…I don’t work out. Rarely, if ever, do I work out before I work 11am-11pm even if I have a three hour morning. That doesn’t feel restful or life giving. And now that I have a new 9-6 job M-F, I only move my body if it feels like it will add to my day, which is not every day. Sometimes that’s a run along the river, sometimes that’s 30 minutes of barre3 online, sometimes that’s a yoga podcast, sometimes that stretching on my foam roller for 15 minutes or doing some jumping jacks to Beyonce. Sometimes that’s simply walking.

And sometimes that’s simply that subconscious incorporation of movement into the rhythm of my day like biking to work, or taking the stairs up to our apartment, or sweeping the floors after dinner. Movement isn’t always planned. And that’s when I think it’s the healthiest of all.

But that’s me. And I’m not you. So how do you figure first, what is healthy movement and second, what is the best way to move my body?

Let’s start with what healthy movement is NOT.

healthy movement Moving with the focus of burning a certain number of calories.

Moving with the primary intention of manipulating your body shape or size.

Moving in order to earn eating a certain food or to burn off foods already eaten.

Moving as punishment or out of guilt or because you hate your body.

Moving for a certain number of minutes or intensity or any other arbitrary measure to make the workout “count.”

Moving when you’re sick instead of resting.

I could go on and on…but if you engage in any of the above…I’d encourage you to take a look at your motivations for exercising.

healthy movement Moving because you enjoy connecting with your body and not dissociating from your body or feelings.

Moving because you love your body and what is does for you, not to craft it into something.

Moving because it is stress relieving (not a feelings/reality numbing mechanism).

Moving because that is the most caring thing you can do for your body in that moment.

Moving for however long or however short and whatever intensity or ease your body needs.

Taking breaks from movement without guilt or shame or fear or anxiety.

Flexible. Even if you’re training for something – you have the mindset that the whole plan is totally flexible.

Incorporated anywhere, anytime. Playing with your kids, cleaning your house, dancing in your living room, carrying groceries. You have an awareness that this is all healthy movement.

Life giving and healing and refreshing and restores your heart + mind + soul.

Moving because it’s a privilege, not a necessity or obligation in life.

healthy movementWe live in a culture obsessed with burning calories and doing things better, more intense, for longer until you feel you are enough. You are competent. You are worthy. But the thing is, you will be chasing all that forever because you will never get there.

Just like I tell clients, ask yourself these two questions.

“Am I doing this because I hate my body or because I love my body?”

“Is this helping me lead a better life?”

If the answer is ‘hate’ and ‘no’, stop and re-access. Life is way too short to do things that do not matter.

SaveSave


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • My Favorite Mindful MovementMy Favorite Mindful Movement
  • How Exercise Affects Your HormonesHow Exercise Affects Your Hormones
  • Exercise and Weight GainExercise and Weight Gain
  • How To Overcome Exercise ComparisonHow To Overcome Exercise Comparison

Filed Under: Exercise, Hormones, Stress

« Toast and Bagels and More Toast
life update {a new job} »

Comments

  1. emily vardy says

    June 13, 2017 at 6:20 am

    I think what you’re saying about Equinox is true of most gyms – and I HATE IT!!! It may be promoting a healthy physical body, but it’s definitely not helping anyone have a healthy mind. So much of gym/fitness culture seems so disordered to me,I can’t stand it. Exercise should be something you do for enjoyment!
    Totally agree with everything you said here.

    Reply
  2. Christina @ montessoriishmom.com says

    June 13, 2017 at 6:45 am

    I’ve been doing a lot less formal exercise lately and a lot more just walking, which I love. It’s felt a little weird, but I think I needed the break too. Great post!

    Reply
  3. Miley says

    June 13, 2017 at 6:47 am

    Robyn – I could NOT agree more! I know now that unhealthy movement was a huge catalyst for other disordered behaviors during my eating disorder. When I finally decided I wanted full recovery, I took a break from exercise completely. It was so freeing to let go of that voice in my head that told me that I had to do a particular exercise that day. I feel so much more aware of what healthy movement truly is and what motivates healthy movement from this experience. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:54 pm

      that is a HUGE step for people in recovery Miley – so glad you overcame that!

      Reply
  4. Jackie says

    June 13, 2017 at 9:18 am

    Awesome post!

    Reply
  5. Amanda says

    June 13, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Yes yes and yes. Robyn your posts always bring me back to earth. And make me seek rest. I absolutely love heart pounding workouts, but I know I’ve hit seasons where I realize I took it TOO far and now, especially wth 12 hour shifts, if I’m not feeling it, then I know I’m doing my body justice by skipping the workout. Also, crazy how moving into the city can make you want to be in all the expensive gyms (currently feeling that). But there are other goals in life such as debt freedom!! Which I’m trying to put before memberships that are fun but I can do on my own at home for free 🙂 ok done rambling haha thank you again for another amazing post!!

    Reply
  6. Kate says

    June 13, 2017 at 10:33 am

    This is amazing, thank you! I have been struggling with movement and exercise lately- it has felt like an obligation, something that I have to do or I will gain weight. I am trying to tune into and listen to what my body needs, and give it what it needs when, stopping to think about exercise in terms of numbers and more in terms of what feels good. Thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Bethany @luluruns says

    June 13, 2017 at 11:06 am

    I so agree with this Robyn and love your fresh, healthy perspective! Right now, I am training for a marathon and absolutely love it, but just about two years ago, when I was recovering from an ED, I realized my body needed a break from all the push of running long distances, etc. and I took a break. And it felt good. Yes, I gained some extra weight, lost a little tone, but now I can come back feeling mentally fresh and at a way better place physically to conquer this next goal of mine!

    Thank you for being an inspiration and speaking the truth, with love!

    Reply
  8. Clare says

    June 13, 2017 at 12:23 pm

    Thank you! This is just what I needed(:

    Reply
  9. dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

    June 13, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    i used to be a gym rat and turned into a runner for a while…and now i embrace walking + yoga. i can totally relate to feeling compelled to go to the gym and i absolutely hated every minute of it.

    Reply
  10. annia says

    June 13, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    THANK YOU. I’ve never commented before but my soul really needed this post–my contract at barre is ending soon and I still enjoy it when I go, but recently it’s felt like such a slog to get there and like it’s just one more obligation I have to check off every week since I’m paying for it. But also simultaneously like if I “just run” that “isn’t enough” since I’ve gained some weight recently. I need to give myself permission to take a freaking break. Barre will still be there if I want to go back in a few months.

    Reply
  11. Kyra says

    June 13, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    Love this SO much! I had been working out 3-4 times a week and doing yoga 1-2 times a week for about 5 months, and I was enjoying it and feeling great, but over the last 2 weeks I’ve just been doing yoga and going for long walks in my favourite forest trails, both of which I enjoy very much, but over the last few days I’ve been feeling a sort of guilt thinking I should be doing an actual workout but also just not really wanting to do a workout – so THANK-YOU! I really needed this to remind myself that I don’t need to do “actual workouts” to be healthy and that incorporating movement that you enjoy and makes you feel good physically and mentally is what matters most 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      very glad it resonated with you kyra and thank you for sharing where you are at 🙂

      Reply
  12. Vivienne says

    June 13, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    YES to all of this! I was the 6 days a week, cardio, strength & weight training gal up until 2 years ago when I my body realized it doesn’t want to move that way any longer. Now I do what feels good for me and that’s Yoga and Barre, 5 days a week, if that, and I’m completely fine with it. I no longer fret over missing a workout or not getting in a good hot sweat, or lifting those weights to increase post fat burning, etc. I park my car as far away from my destination and walk it, I take the stairs because I’m impatient to wait for the elevator/escalator, and I’m constantly walking and standing on my feet daily for 4 plus hours at work. All that is a workout for me.

    Reply
  13. Koala says

    June 13, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    You are my favorite blogger. Period.

    Reply
  14. Kristen says

    June 13, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    I love this so much! It is soooooo true! Movement is a celebration of all our bodies can do , not a punishment! There’s a book called “These Beautiful Bones” by Emily Stimpson that touches on this as well and is a fabulous read!

    Reply
  15. Melizz says

    June 13, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    YES ! great article :). I am so happy you said it out loud on internet !! I do workout only 2 or 3 times a week, sometimes less, but still try to get some sort of moving in my day. I always felt it was healthy but I kinda felt ashamed not working out in the mornings… or not following a workout plan… Your article is so refreshing and so true , thank you !! It’s not working out 5 times a week that makes you healthy it’s just getting some movement in your day and doing sports / moving / workouts you love that making you happy that make us healthy. At least this is how I see it :).

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      so glad this resonated with you melizz! very much agree so much of what you said 🙂

      Reply
  16. Emily at The We Files says

    June 13, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Yes! I also love that chapter in Health at Every Size. I can relate so much to what you shared. I had a similar experience with running. For me, training into longer distances paralleled my orthorexia-type tendencies. I’m running now, but shorter distances. I’m not putting myself on a schedule like I used to, or even thinking about “active” days vs. “rest” days. I try to move most days, because I’ve found it to be so helpful for mood stabilization. I agree wholeheartedly, that an intuitive approach to exercise maximizes feeling good and in line with our intrinsic values!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      thank you so much for sharing your story emily! xo

      Reply
  17. Georgia Bennett-Ramseur says

    June 13, 2017 at 7:50 pm

    Hi Robyn!

    I love what you are saying, and I think that resistance training gets majorly overlooked when it comes to this subject and I think way more people could be reaping the physical and emotional benefits if it weren’t for the influence of social media and the “go hard or go home” nature of group fitness classes that involve weight training.

    An appropriate resistance training program looks different for everyone – the one thing they all share is the fact that each move is meaningful, effective and just challenging enough. If it doesn’t leave you feeling energized and moving through other areas of life with more ease then something about it is not right for you.

    I like to think of strength training as a practice just like meditation or mindfulness. It takes more compassionate discipline than the type of movement you are talking about, and sometimes we don’t feel like showing up. It is all about showing up for ourselves day in and day out (but knowing when to take a rest), being present with ourselves and our bodies, and learning to challenge ourselves in a loving way as apposed to a torturous one. Much like other aspects to self love these are all skills that take time to learn.

    I think that an appropriate strength training routine fosters a healthy relationship with classic exercise as apposed to having to avoid it all together. It teaches us to value something other than the superficial – improved posture, increased strength, flexibility – the list goes on. And it pairs beautifully with the less regimented type of movement you’ve described.

    I think it is actually very SANE to be affected by social media and gym marketing and talk of calorie burning and a six pack. It is also very healthy to not want to be ruled by our food and exercise. That is truly not what life is about. That said, I think that there is SO much to celebrate and savor in this physical body we are given. Those of us who want something more in life (the types who read your blog) shouldn’t have to miss out on something so beneficial.

    As you know I’m a personal trainer so I am a little biased, but I have seen people from all walks of life learn to love themselves deeper through strength training so I couldn’t help but share. Sorry for the long comment. XOXO

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:50 pm

      Hi Georgia,

      Thanks for sharing – I think the message of the post isn’t really about the type of exercise, but rather the mental and emotional motivations and outcomes of exercise. Hope that is what came across.

      <3

      Reply
  18. Maureen says

    June 13, 2017 at 8:01 pm

    This has been a big focus in my life recently. With warmer weather, I love exploring my neighborhood and sometimes I take my actual camera with me to practice my photography skills. It just feels “right” to move my body like this instead of exercising inside or forcing myself to go running. Soon, I’m going to start biking more, which I’m looking forward to doing. I like being outside and incorporating movement into the activities I’m already doing.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:48 pm

      love that for you maureen 🙂

      Reply
  19. Megan Horsham says

    June 14, 2017 at 5:12 am

    This is exactly what I needed to read. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:47 pm

      <3

      Reply
  20. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    June 14, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Great message, Robyn : ) I’m so glad you realized what you need to do to make your body happy. You are setting a great example!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:47 pm

      thanks for your encouragement tara 🙂
      hope you’re well!

      Reply
  21. Lynda says

    June 14, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    I loved this post so much! I don’t go to a gym but I incorporate walking as much as possible through my day. I like what you said about whatever exercise we do it should be out of love for our bodies and be enjoyable. I’m still working on loving my body and not feeling guilty if I don’t walk a certain amount. Also, to not feel guilty when I don’t feel up to walking as much some days. Everything you wrote was so helpful! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      so glad this has been helpful lynda 🙂 xo

      Reply
  22. Anne @ fANNEtastic food says

    June 14, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    YES! Movement should bring joy, not add stress. 🙂

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      yep yep YEP

      Reply
  23. Maggie says

    June 15, 2017 at 8:45 am

    I really liked this post, Robyn! I’m kind of in the opposite space of what you’re in right now — for the past year or so I’ve been mostly walking, jogging, and doing occasional low-intensity yoga/strength stuff, and that’s felt nice. But now I’m craving more sweaty and intense (and different types of) movement, so I’ve been trying out a new gym and going to all of the classes I can. It feels exciting and fun, and just what I want right now! When it stops feeling that way, I’ll go back to less formal movement. Thinking about this is helping to remind me that it’s so normal to go through different phases with movement, and that no phase is “wrong.”

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      it can go both ways maggie – I can certainly relate to the ebb and flow of that! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    June 15, 2017 at 11:02 am

    LOVE this! I recently quit a women’s bootcamp type workout because I realized I was just doing it for looks and didn’t really enjoy it.

    What yoga podcasts do you recommend??

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      June 16, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      so glad you were brave enough to say, hey, this isn’t working for me.
      I love david farmer and yoga to the people!

      Reply
  25. Emily L. says

    June 16, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    This post was meant for me! During my college years I got into running and started running half marathons. Since then I have ran 12-13 half marathons and lots of 5ks in between. At this point in my life, I am busier with my personal training job, and am taking online courses to be a health coach, so time is more limited.

    Nowadays, I still run, but only when my body feels like it, and I don’t stress as much if I don’t go long distance. I am enjoying spin classes, strength training, and even some yoga.

    Thank you for this post. It was much needed.

    Reply
  26. Lindsay says

    June 20, 2017 at 7:15 am

    I found your blog through a friend and this post resonated strongly. I’ve been exercising (and restricting food) as punishment for being overweight and having a big stomach. I hate exercising so much and always see it as a chore at best, emotionally and physically painful at worst. My husband calls it lazy…

    The only exercise I’ve ever enjoyed was when I was focused on glute building awhile back but that was because of a certain look I was attaining, not because I was making my body stronger. I don’t care about strength, I only care about how I look.

    Sad, right?

    Reply
  27. www.youtube.com says

    November 16, 2017 at 8:38 am

    I think this is among the most important information ffor me.
    And i’mglad reading your article. But want to remarkk on some general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really great :
    D. Good job, cheers

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. should you exercise when you’re sick? – Choosing Balance says:
    December 8, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    […] in a stressful time of life, sick, or tired actually causes more harm than good (see her posts here and […]

    Reply
  2. 5 Easy Health Hacks for Busy Moms - Cooking With a Full Plate says:
    January 31, 2019 at 5:21 am

    […] I love this post on healthy movement and listening to your […]

    Reply
  3. 10 Weight Loss Tips - Inner Connected Wellness says:
    July 28, 2020 at 12:36 pm

    […] to balance hormones first. A functional practitioner can help you with this process.  Engage in “movement,” as opposed to “exercise” to promote […]

    Reply
  4. How Will You Create Your Happy Wellness Routine - says:
    July 30, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    […] Healthy movement vs Obligatory Exercise and read about exercising when we ‘feel like we have to’ vs doing it because we enjoy […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

More On Lady Hormones

How Birth Control Methods Affect Your Hormones, Period and Fertility

What Your Cervical Fluid Can Tell You About Your Reproductive Health

women's reproductive health

Women’s Reproductive Health 101

I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

* indicates required

Categories

Get in Touch!

Follow Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

I talk a lot about moving, eating, and living intuitively so you can be well hormonally and live a fulfilling life in line with your values

The Real Life RD on Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest
A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of extended alone time away from the babies to just be. And that isn’t something that’s best for me, it’s an area I gotta grow in. So this afternoon when Nick pushed me out the door and was like - get out of here plzzzz - I walked to my favorite cafe and ordered a thick pastrami sandwich and sat there for a good LONG while before taking a long, peaceful walk in the rain to wrap up the afternoon. Note to self: stop being such a control freak and go be by yourself sometimes.
a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face from @mariebettecafe this morning when she came to get her toddler who played with us all morning and it is v good. even better when paired with an iced latte 😍
#AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing a #AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing about how taking @alignprobiotic regularly has improved my digestive regularity.  And I’m still taking them! I’ve permanently added Align 24/7 Digestive Support* into the roundup of supplements I take before bed (prenatal, vitamin D, choline & DHA - all which help keep me healthy while breastfeeding) so I can keep seeing the benefits.  Just because you see benefits, doesn’t mean you should stop taking your probiotic. Keep taking Align daily (under the supervision and recommendation of your health care provider of course) to keep seeing the benefits!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - one of my favorite parts of Align probiotics is that they don’t need refrigeration AND they come in a convenient little blister pack that has the days labeled. It’s the little things people! #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
#AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about #AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about getting better at doing the basics to care for myself which included taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic regularly.  Probiotics take time to work so I wanted to give it a full month to see the full effects of @alignprobiotic. So here are my honest thoughts: it took a few weeks to notice any differences, but near the end of the month I did notice some changes in my digestive balance - even while traveling! I’m not someone who experiences occasional gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort frequently enough to notice a difference, so I don’t feel like I can comment on how well Align works for those benefits.  All in all though, taking @alignprobiotic was a positive experience and I really appreciated how the capsules don’t need to be stored in the fridge, making it convenient to take them with me anywhere #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Because the swampy VA summer has already begun (it’s in the low 90s today 🥵 lord help) and creeks are our retreat - not only from the heat but also from the noisy world. I need this just (if not more) than they do! We’ll be at the splash pads and pools too, but the quietness of the creek...my mental health is so about it. And it’s hours of play for them! Win win.  A couple things to note: this scene also included a few toddler reminders on finding another direction to throw rocks instead of at his brother - so not all is serene 🤪 and also, yes I am now that mom who buys the same clothing for both kids bc it keeps things simple & i think i kinda like it too 🤷🏻‍♀️
Things I love about midwifery among many: the appo Things I love about midwifery among many: the appointments, no matter how long, feel so unhurried. 
Just walked in from an appointment with my midwife because I was due for a Pap test + an overall wellness visit. My last pap was during my first trimester with Cal which feels like a jillion years ago, but it’s only actually been three years. Life changes so fast! Pre-baby life feels like a whole other life.  I’m wayyyy overdue for a visit to my PCP bc I’ve been under OBGYN or midwifery care for the majority of the past three years while having babies, but I am pretty good with keeping up with my paps. It seems women often think they need pap and/or HPV testing way more frequently than they do (and providers sometimes perform these tests more frequently than necessary - remember more testing doesn’t always mean better outcomes!)  So if you need it, here’s a quick little reminder on this chilly spring Friday afternoon on how often you need this testing (these are the recommendations from ACOG)  Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.  Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (aka co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.  If you get abnormal results, this testing frequency could change - but for healthy women with normal results, you actually don’t need testing as frequently as you might think. Which is great news for those of you who hate the speculum.  Ok, off to finish up some things on the to-do list (including cleaning this kitchen) during nap time and then come 5 o’clock, crack an IPA with our neighbors 🍻
#AlignPartner Over the past seven months since bec #AlignPartner Over the past seven months since becoming a mom of two, caring for myself has gotten shoved to the back burner. And it's been a challenge to make it a priority. My routine-resistant personality has upsides and downsides when it comes to motherhood. So I'm starting small this year with a consistent bedtime routine that includes taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic and hoping as that becomes consistent, my mornings will naturally shift too.  In short my bedtime currently goes like this….jammies & face care when putting the babies to bed. Before I go to bed (anytime between 9pm and 12am...) I’ll pump, take my supplements and fill my water. Then I go upstairs and brush my teeth. And then get in bed. The kicker: 70% of the time I find myself finishing up tasks on my phone IN BED. I hate this habit.  Back to supplements. This is something I have been able to stick with. On top of fish oil, my prenatal, choline and vitamin D, I recently added @AlignProbiotic 24/7 Digestive Support*§ to see if it helps with abdominal discomfort and regularity because when I don’t drink coffee or am traveling that can get thrown off.  I’ll be taking it every day for the next 28 days since it takes TIME for our bodies to adjust to probiotics - and I'll be taking you guys along with me as I share my honest thoughts. Many people think if they don’t see changes within the first 7-10 days then the probiotic isn’t working, but that’s not the case. I’m giving myself more than just a week or two and instead a full month to see the full benefits. I’ll keep you posted over the next month. Check out my stories to learn more! #MyAlignGutJourney #guthealth
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care f We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care for a nap. Putting baby down was harder than I wanted it to be. Miraculously, I had a moment of clarity as I was covered in tiny humans and decided I wasn’t doing the nap battle thing a on 60 degree, gorgeous, sunny spring day 🙅🏻‍♀️ so I piled both babies into the car half naked, opened the sun roof, put on white noise for them and an audio book for me and drank a kombucha as I drove a meal to a postpartum mama. Thirty five minutes later we had a sleeping baby and a toddler who at least had a rest. Baby transferred without waking HALLELUJAH and although my toddler didn’t nap today (lord help) at least we got soaked in breezy sunshine 😎🤘🏻💆🏻‍♀️
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!

Copyright © 2023 · The Real RD· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer


Terms and Conditions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy