Welcome to Embrace Your Real with me, Julie Ledbetter, a podcast where I empower you to just be you. My hope for you is to stop hating your body, picking a part every flaw, questioning your worth, doubting your strength, making excuses, and constantly starting over. I get it, I've been there. I know it feels like an impossible cycle to break, but let me tell you: I've successfully broken the decade long struggle, and over the last 8 years I have helped thousands of other woman do the same. I know it's possible and that's why I am here to ensure you do, too! Every episode, I dish you a dose of real talk and actionable advice for building the body you want, creating unshakable confidence and embracing your authentic self. Each week I share my secrets on how to honor your body with movement, nourish your body with exactly what it needs, and give you transformative mental shifts that will help you show up for your life in a powerful way. Are you ready to embrace your real? Let's get it, let's go!
This episode is dedicated to every mom who has ever cooked a full meal for her family and then stood over the sink eating crackers because she ran out of steam before she got to her own plate. Because that is just reality sometimes, right?! In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I am getting into the real reason this keeps happening, how to cope when you are in full survival mode and you are the one running the kitchen, and how to start fueling yourself well without treating it like a completely separate project on top of everything else you are already doing. What I discuss: Why feeding yourself as a mom often feels harder than feeding everyone else—and why it isn't a lack of motivation or discipline. The invisible mental load of planning, shopping, budgeting, cooking, and managing everyone's changing food preferences. Practical strategies for staying nourished during busy "survival mode" seasons, including prioritizing eating something over eating perfectly. Simple ways to make family meals work for your own nutrition by building your plate around the food you're already preparing. Easy, realistic habits that make healthy eating more sustainable, such as keeping convenient protein sources on hand and using leftovers intentionally. How macro counting can provide a flexible framework for understanding your body's needs without requiring perfection or restrictive dieting. And if you loved this episode I think you will also love Episode 662: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Start Tracking Macros as a Mom. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Have you ever looked at your life and felt like you should be doing better in every single area? You want to stay consistent with your workouts, eat well, be present with your family, show up at work, keep your home together, grow as a person, take care of your relationships, and somehow not feel completely drained by all of it. And when one area starts slipping, it can feel like you are the problem. But what if the problem is not your discipline? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about the pressure to chase too many goals at once and why it can make you feel like you are failing even when you are actually trying so hard. If you have been feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like you can never do enough, this episode is going to help you look at your goals in a completely different way. What's Discussed: Why feeling behind does not always mean you need to try harder How to recognize when you are expecting too much from yourself at once Why one area of life may need to take priority for a season How "good enough for now" can give you room to breathe Why narrowing your focus can help you feel less guilty and more present How to decide what matters most in this chapter of your life If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 474: Overcoming Unrealistic Expectations of Yourself . It is the perfect next listen if you are ready to stop holding yourself to standards no real woman could live up to. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
If you want stronger legs, more glute growth, or that lean, defined look, it makes sense to wonder if one leg day is really enough. And if you are already putting in the work, it can be frustrating when your lower body still does not look as defined as you want it to. So naturally, your brain goes to the next question: do I need more leg days? In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are answering a question from the Movement With Julie community about training legs multiple times a week, repeating muscle groups, and what actually helps your body build definition without burning you out. What's Discussed: How recovery plays a role in building muscle and seeing definition What to look at before adding another weighted lower body workout How to make leg exercises more challenging without needing heavier weights Where walking, HIIT, Pilates, and yoga can fit into your routine Why nutrition matters if you are training consistently but not seeing the definition you want How to get more out of the work you are already doing If you want a strength plan that takes the guesswork out of your workouts, Movement With Julie gives you structured training you can do at home or in the gym, with 30-minute and 60-minute options that help you build strength without overthinking what to do next. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if you are putting in the work but not seeing the definition you want, your nutrition may be the piece that needs more attention. Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body for muscle, recovery, and real results without restriction or overwhelm. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 566: What Women Get Wrong About Progressive Overload . It is the perfect next listen if you want to keep training smarter and getting better results from the workouts you are already doing. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Summer can make it feel like fitness has to wait. The schedule is looser, the kids are home, trips are happening, weekends are fuller, and suddenly your normal routine feels harder to hold onto. So you tell yourself you are being flexible, you are enjoying the season, you will get back to it later. But then later keeps getting pushed back. And instead of feeling free, you start feeling off, tired, frustrated, and disconnected from yourself. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing the simple summer fitness commitment that is helping me stay consistent without making the season feel strict. We are talking about why waiting for motivation does not work, how a few non negotiables can make fitness feel easier, and why getting it done first can help you enjoy the rest of your day without guilt sitting in the background. What's Discussed: How to stay consistent without needing a perfect routine Why making movement optional can leave you feeling less like yourself The simple movement and strength commitments I'm using this summer Why removing the daily decision makes follow-through easier How to keep showing up when travel, kids, and loose schedules are in the mix Why consistency can help you enjoy summer with more energy and less guilt The Movement With Julie app is there when you need your workouts to be simple, effective, and easy to fit into real life. You'll get 30-minute and 60-minute options, home and gym workouts, band-friendly options, five brand new workouts every week, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent wherever summer takes you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 619: 7 Unconventional Ways to Stay Consistent and Actually See Results . It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand what makes consistency stick during summer and every other season of life. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Most women are taught to think about food in terms of what it will do to their body. Will this make me gain weight? Will this set me back? Did I stay on track? Did I mess it up? But, what if that is the question keeping you stuck? In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about food in a completely different way. Not from a place of rules, guilt, or restriction, but from the question so many women forget to ask: how do I actually want to feel? Because the way you eat can affect your energy, mood, focus, digestion, cravings, sleep, workouts, and the way you move through your entire day. And once you start noticing that connection, healthy eating stops feeling like something you have to force and starts feeling like a way to take care of yourself. What's Discussed: How eating well starts to feel different when you connect it to energy, mood, and focus Why the 3pm crash, brain fog, bloating, and low motivation may be connected to how you are fueling Why your best days and hardest days can teach you so much about what your body needs How eating to feel good can shift your relationship with food Why consistency feels easier when the reward is how you feel today, not just a future result Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body without restriction, overwhelm, or guessing. It gives you a simple way to learn what your body needs so your food choices support your energy, mood, focus, and goals. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 536: Can't Stop Craving Certain Foods? Here's What's Really Going On . It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand your body's signals instead of fighting against them. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! If you have been on social media lately, you have probably seen the giant bowls, the huge salads, the low calorie snack plates, and the "look how much food you can eat for 300 calories" videos. And at first, it sounds like the perfect solution. You get a full plate. You feel like you are eating a lot. You stay within your goals. So of course it feels like the smarter way to lose fat without feeling miserable. But girl, a bigger plate does not automatically mean a better approach. That is the part we need to talk about. Volume eating can be such a helpful tool, but if the goal becomes "how much food can I eat for the fewest calories," you can end up chasing fullness without actually learning how to fuel your body. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down the pros and cons of volume eating, where it can support your goals, where it can start to backfire, and how to use it in a way that helps you feel satisfied without missing the nutrition your body needs. What's Discussed: What volume eating actually is and why it sounds so appealing The part of volume eating that social media tends to leave out Why chasing the lowest calorie option can make your meals feel satisfying but still incomplete How volume eating can affect protein, nutrients, hunger cues, and real life eating Why volume eating works best as a tool, not your full nutrition strategy How to pair volume eating with a macro framework so your meals support your goals Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand what your body actually needs so you can stop building meals around the lowest calorie option and start building meals that keep you full, fueled, and on track. Once you know your protein, carbs, and fats, volume eating can become a helpful tool instead of something you are relying on to do all the work. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 466: What To Do When You Are Still Hungry After Hitting Your Macros . It is the perfect next listen if you are trying to manage hunger while staying consistent with your nutrition. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Postpartum fitness can feel confusing when you are trying to heal, feed a baby, sleep when you can, and somehow feel like yourself again. You may be wondering what workouts make sense, how often you should move, what to do with nutrition, how breastfeeding affects progress, and how to stay patient when the scale is not moving. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are continuing the postpartum fitness Q&A to answer the questions so many new moms are quietly asking. We are talking workouts, macros, breastfeeding, finding time with a newborn, and rebuilding strength without rushing or punishing your body. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, go back and listen after this episode because together, these two episodes give you the full picture of what helped me navigate postpartum fitness in a way that felt supportive, realistic, and sustainable. What's Discussed: What workouts I did postpartum and whether they were intense or low impact How I made workouts happen with a newborn and an unpredictable schedule What my nutrition looked like and when I started counting macros again How breastfeeding affected my postpartum fitness journey How I stayed patient when the scale was not moving as fast as I wanted The Movement With Julie app made it so much easier to stay consistent postpartum, even when my schedule felt all over the place. You'll get five brand-new workouts every week, and you can choose two to three to start. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And for nutrition, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you stop guessing and start fueling your body without restriction or overwhelm. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode and already listened to Part 1, you'll also love Episode 514: 10 Ways to Manage Your Fitness as a New Momma . It is the perfect follow-up for making fitness work in this season of motherhood. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Let's settle this once and for all: Do you need to eat before a workout? You've probably heard all kinds of answers, some people swear by fasted training, others won't touch a dumbbell without a snack first. So what's the truth? I'm giving you real-world tips you can use starting today, plus snack ideas that are quick, effective, and easy to digest. Bottom line? Fueling is personal, but there's also a strategy behind it. And I'm walking you through both. Want to feel better in your workouts and get the results you're working for? This episode is your guide. In today's episode, we're breaking it all down based on your schedule, your goals, and your body. I walk you through: When fasted workouts are fine—and when they might backfire What to eat before training (without needing a full meal) Why afternoon and evening workouts require fuel What happens when you under-eat before a lift (and how to fix it) And how to simplify your approach so your body feels strong and steady—without overthinking it 🎧 If this topic hits home, you'll definitely want to listen to Episode 554: Why Understanding These 2 Types of Hunger Can Change Everything If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! If you are postpartum and wondering whether you will ever feel strong, confident, and comfortable in your body again, I want you to know that you are not alone. Having a baby can make your body, routine, energy, and identity feel completely different, and wanting to feel like yourself again does not make you selfish. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm answering your questions about my postpartum fitness journey and what it actually looked like behind the transformation posts. I'm walking you through what helped me rebuild strength, lose the baby weight, and stay consistent without restriction, punishment, or rushing the process, so you can feel encouraged in your own postpartum journey, wherever you are in it. This is Part 1 of a two-part Q&A series, so use this episode as encouragement, not comparison. My timeline is not your timeline, but feeling strong again, rebuilding confidence, and taking care of yourself in the middle of motherhood is possible when you lead with consistency, grace, and support instead of restriction or punishment. What's Discussed: How long it actually took me to lose the baby weight What helped me know I was ready to start my fitness journey again How much weight I gained during pregnancy and how much I lost postpartum The fear of never feeling like myself again after having a baby The hardest part of rebuilding strength, confidence, and routine postpartum What I did in the moments when I wanted to give up Why I felt nervous posting about my body during the journey The Movement With Julie app was such a game changer in my postpartum journey because it allowed me to work out from home, on my schedule, and around my baby without needing a gym or complicated equipment. You'll get new workouts every week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent in the season you are actually in. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And when it comes to nutrition, Macro Counting Made Simple will help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats so you can stop guessing and start fueling your body in a way that supports your goals. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 491: 6 Steps to Embrace Your Postpartum Body . It is the perfect follow-up if you are learning how to rebuild your relationship with your body after having a baby. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! So many women think confidence comes after the body changes. After the weight is lost. After the jeans fit differently. After the arms look smaller. After the stomach feels flatter. After they finally feel "ready" to wear the swimsuit, take the photo, book the trip, go to the event, or show up without hiding. But what if waiting for your body to change is the exact thing keeping you from becoming the woman you want to be? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm challenging the belief that you have to earn the right to live fully by reaching a certain body goal first. You can have goals. You can want to feel stronger. You can want to feel better in your skin. But your life is not supposed to be on pause while you work toward those things. This episode is your reminder that confidence is not something you wait for. It is something you practice. And sometimes the first step is doing the thing you have been saving for "later" in the body you have right now. What's Discussed: How to recognize when your body image is making decisions for you The real cost of avoiding photos, trips, swimsuits, events, and new experiences Why reaching a goal does not automatically give you permission to enjoy your life How to stop treating your body like the price of admission for confidence Why living your life now can make your health journey feel lighter The one thing I want you to stop saving for "when your body changes" The Movement With Julie app is there to help you stop waiting for the perfect season, the perfect schedule, or the perfect body before you start showing up for yourself. You'll get workouts you can do at home or in the gym, 30-minute and 60-minute options, new workouts every week, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent in real life. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 616: What Changed When I Stopped Waiting to Feel Ready . It is the perfect next listen if you are ready to stop putting your life on hold until you feel ready, confident, or "good enough." If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to show up for yourself when you feel like you are doing it alone? You can have the workout plan. You can know what to eat. You can have the best intentions. But when life gets heavy, motivation drops, shame creeps in, or you fall out of rhythm, doing everything by yourself can make the whole thing feel ten times harder. And that is what we are talking about today: community. Not the surface-level kind where you scroll through other people's posts and feel like you are "connected." I mean real community. The kind where you are seen, supported, encouraged, reminded that you are not the only one struggling, and welcomed back when you have had a hard week. What's Discussed: Why consistency feels so much harder when you are doing everything by yourself How a fitness community can help you feel seen, encouraged, and supported through real life Why the women who stay consistent long-term usually have people around them How community can calm your stress response and make showing up feel more sustainable Why scrolling fitness content is not the same as actually being connected How the Movement With Julie community has helped women keep going when they wanted to quit Where to start looking for your people, even if finding community feels awkward at first If you have been trying to build consistency by doing everything alone, this episode is your reminder that you may not need more pressure. You may need more people. The right community can help you feel less alone, less ashamed, and more willing to keep showing up through real life. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 633: How To Fall Back In Love With Your Everyday Life . It pairs perfectly with this conversation because real connection is one of the things that helps your everyday life feel fuller, more supported, and easier to be present for. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! By the end of June, summer can already feel a little loose. Maybe you've had a vacation, a few BBQs, later nights, pool days, skipped workouts, more snacks in the house, and meals that looked nothing like your usual routine. And you know how fast that can turn into, "Well, I already messed it up, so I'll just start again Monday." But sister, you do not need Monday. You do not need a perfect routine. You do not need to make some huge plan to fix everything. Sometimes you just need one next choice that makes you feel like yourself again. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing three quick wins you can come back to anytime summer starts to throw you off. These are simple things you can do right away to support your body, calm the spiral, and remind yourself that you are not nearly as far off track as you think. What's Discussed: Why a busy weekend does not have to turn into a full week of feeling off track How starting your day with water and protein can help you feel more steady from the beginning Why hydration matters so much when summer heat, travel, saltier foods, and later nights are in the mix How 30 minutes of movement can help you reconnect with your body without trying to "make up for" anything Why getting back on track should never mean skipping meals or punishing yourself with restriction The Movement With Julie app is there when you need a workout that is already planned for you. You'll get new workouts every week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent at home, at the gym, or while traveling. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And when food starts feeling all over the place, Macro Counting Made Simple will help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats so you can stop guessing. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 629: How To Stop Feeling Guilty Doing Things You Actually Enjoy . It is the perfect follow-up if summer has you feeling guilty for eating differently, missing workouts, or enjoying moments that do not fit perfectly into your usual routine. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Perimenopause is one of those things every woman will experience, yet so many of us are completely unprepared for it. Maybe you are in your 30s and starting to notice that your body feels different. Maybe you are in your 40s and quietly wondering why the workouts, meals, and routines that used to work suddenly are not working the same way anymore. And sister, this is not a discipline problem. Perimenopause is a hormonal transition, and it can affect your muscle, metabolism, sleep, mood, energy, recovery, cravings, and body composition. So in this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down what perimenopause actually is, what is happening hormonally, why your old approach may stop working, and what will help your body the most in this season. What's Discussed: What perimenopause actually is and why you can still be in it even if you are getting your period Why perimenopause can begin earlier than many women expect and last for years How estrogen and progesterone shifts can affect muscle, metabolism, sleep, mood, and recovery Why the same workouts and eating habits that worked in your 30s may stop giving you the same results Why strength training becomes even more important for your muscle, metabolism, blood sugar, bones, and body composition Why doing more cardio and eating less can backfire during perimenopause How protein, carbs, and healthy fats support your body through this hormonal transition The Movement With Julie app is there when you need a workout that is already planned for you. You'll get new workouts every week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent at home, at the gym, or while traveling. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And when food starts feeling all over the place, Macro Counting Made Simple will help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats so you can stop guessing. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Summer workouts can humble you fast. You go to do the same workout you have been doing for months, and suddenly your heart rate is higher, you are sweating within five minutes, everything feels harder, and you start wondering if you somehow lost your fitness overnight. You did not lose your fitness. Your body is just working in a much more demanding environment. When it is hot, your body has to keep your muscles working and cool you down at the same time, which means your heart, hydration, energy, and recovery are all under more stress than usual. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down how to keep working out in the heat without burning yourself out. You'll learn what is actually happening in your body, how to adjust your workouts, what hydration really needs to look like, when electrolytes matter, and how to know the difference between normal summer discomfort and signs that your body needs you to stop. What's Discussed: Why working out in the heat feels so much harder, even when your fitness has not changed What happens when your body has to fuel your muscles and cool you down at the same time How heat affects your heart rate, sweat, energy, and workout intensity Why adjusting your workout time and intensity can help you stay consistent without overdoing it How to hydrate throughout the day instead of trying to catch up right before your workout When electrolytes can help and when plain water is probably enough How to tell the difference between normal summer workout discomfort and warning signs like dizziness, nausea, confusion, or a heart rate that will not come down The heat does not have to be the reason you stop showing up this summer. Your workouts may need to look a little different, but different does not mean less effective. With the right timing, hydration, intensity, and awareness, you can keep building strength without wrecking yourself in the process. Ready to make your summer workouts simpler? The Movement With Julie app gives you structured workouts you can do at home, in the air conditioning, on your schedule, with 30-minute and 60-minute options ready for you. Head to movementwithjulie.com and get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 637: How to Make a 30-Minute Workout Actually Count . It's the perfect follow-up if the heat, your schedule, or summer plans are making your workouts feel harder to fit in, because it will help you make a shorter session feel focused, effective, and worth showing up for. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Let me ask you something. Were you ever taught that more cardio means better results, soreness means your workout counts, eating less is the fastest way to change your body, pain means progress, or you need a gym to get a real workout? If so, you are definitely not alone. A lot of us built our early fitness routines around these rules because they sounded disciplined, serious, and like the "right" way to get results. And when they did not work, we usually blamed ourselves instead of questioning the advice. But here is the truth: some of the fitness rules we were handed were never actually helping us. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down five outdated fitness beliefs, what we now know actually works, and how letting go of these rules can help you train smarter, fuel better, recover well, and finally make progress that lasts. What's Discussed: Why more cardio does not automatically lead to better body composition results Why soreness is not the best way to measure whether a workout was effective How under-eating can work against your metabolism, muscle, energy, and long-term progress Why "no pain, no gain" can lead to injury, burnout, and inconsistent results Why you do not need a gym to build real strength when you have a smart, progressive dumbbell plan How to let go of the rules that keep you stuck and start focusing on what actually moves your body forward Working hard without seeing the results match your effort usually means it is time to look at the rules behind your routine. This episode will help you spot the outdated fitness beliefs you may still be following and replace them with an approach that actually supports your body. For a structured strength plan that takes the guesswork out of your workouts, the Movement With Julie app is there for you. You'll get new workouts every week, how-to videos for every exercise, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and a plan you can follow at home or in the gym. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if nutrition is where you feel stuck, Macro Counting Made Simple will help you understand how to fuel your body instead of constantly trying to eat less. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 636: 5 Fitness Habits That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Results . It is the perfect follow-up if you are ready to spot the habits that may be keeping you stuck and replace them with habits that actually support your goals. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Bathing suit shopping can bring up a lot more feelings than it should. You walk in looking for something cute for summer, and suddenly one tiny piece of fabric has you questioning your body, your confidence, and whether you even want to go to the pool anymore. But please hear this: your body is not the problem. Bathing suits are just hard to find sometimes. They have to fit your chest, hips, butt, torso, thighs, waist, rib cage, and everything in between, so of course the process can feel frustrating. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing nine practical tips to help make bathing suit shopping feel less dramatic, less defeating, and a whole lot more doable. From ignoring trends and buying the size that actually fits to choosing the right support, cover-ups, and try-on environment, this episode will help you find a suit that lets you enjoy your summer instead of obsessing over every little adjustment. What's Discussed: Why bathing suit shopping feels hard for so many women, regardless of body shape or confidence level How a cute cover-up can help you feel more styled, supported, and at ease Why you should shop for the support your body actually needs instead of what looks cute on the hanger How trying suits on at home can save you from the dressing room spiral Why asking another woman where she got her swimsuit can be one of the best shopping hacks How to tell whether a suit gives you freedom or turns into a full-time adjustment job Why the most important thing you can do after putting your suit on is focus on the day, not the suit If bathing suit shopping usually leaves you feeling defeated, this episode is your reminder that the perfect suit is not the one that makes your body look like someone else's. It is the one that lets you move, swim, laugh, eat, chase your kids, sit in the sun, take photos, and actually be part of your summer. If you loved this episode, I know you'll also love Episode 621: My Best Tips for Feeling Confident in Your Body . It will help you keep building the kind of confidence that lets you show up for your life, even on the days when your body image feels loud. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Most of us have been told to stop comparing ourselves to other people, and honestly, that advice sounds good until you remember that your brain does not really work that way. You can tell yourself to stay in your own lane, but then you open your phone, see someone else's body, progress, or routine, and suddenly your brain is already measuring before you even meant to. So maybe the goal is not to stop comparing completely. Maybe the goal is to stop comparing yourself to people whose full story you do not know, and start comparing yourself to the one person you actually have enough context for: you. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down why comparison is not always the enemy, how to tell when it is helping versus hurting you, and how to look back at your own progress without turning it into a shame spiral. What's Discussed: Why comparison is a natural brain function, not a personal flaw Why external comparison usually leaves you feeling worse How your brain compares your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel Why your past self can become either a source of shame or a record of growth How to compare yourself to yourself in a way that is specific, honest, and forward-moving Why tracking your progress can build confidence when you use it as evidence, not judgment If you loved this episode, you'll also love: Episode 540: Why Beating Yourself Up Isn't Helping You Reach Your Goals . It pairs perfectly with this conversation because it helps you stop turning progress into another reason to judge yourself and start using it as something that supports you. Ready to have every 30-minute session pre-planned, pre-programmed, and built around exactly this structure? Head to movementwithjulie.com and get started inside the Movement With Julie app. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Summer has a way of making us feel a little more aware of our bodies than usual. The swimsuits, the pool days, the photos, the warmer weather, and being around other bodies can bring up thoughts you may not have been dealing with the rest of the year. And even if you have been showing up for yourself, working on your relationship with your body, and trying to feel more confident, summer can still catch you off guard. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing three honest reminders I want you to carry with you this season. There are no strategies or action steps in this one. Just the words I want you to come back to when your body image feels loud, when comparison starts creeping in, or when you feel tempted to sit out of your own life because you do not feel your best. What's Discussed: Why swimsuit season can bring up body image struggles, even when you have done a lot of inner work Why the people who love you are not focused on the things you are picking apart How to remember what you bring to the room beyond how you look Why your body deserves grace after everything it has carried you through this year How summer can make comparison feel louder and less fair Why comparing your real life to someone else's curated moment will never give you the full truth How to let the authentic version of you show up, get in the photo, get in the water, and enjoy your life now If summer has been making you feel more self-conscious than confident, this episode is your reminder that you do not have to wait for some future version of yourself to enjoy the season you are already in. You are allowed to show up, be present, and make memories in the body you have today. If you have been wanting a place where you can feel strong, capable, and supported by women who understand what it is like to keep showing up in real life, head to movementwithjulie.com and get started inside the Movement With Julie app. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 628: 4 Ways to Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Actually Love . It will help you keep practicing the kind of inner dialogue that supports you, especially on the days when body image feels hard and you need to come back to a more loving way of speaking to yourself. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Summer always sounds fun until your routine suddenly disappears. The kids are home more, weekends fill up fast, vacations happen, BBQs are on the calendar, pool days run long, and somehow your workouts, protein, steps, water, and goals start feeling like way too much to keep up with. And when life gets busy like that, it is so easy to think, "Well, I guess I'll just start over when things calm down." But I do not want summer to become the season where you feel like you are either doing everything perfectly or doing nothing at all. You do not need a perfect routine to keep taking care of yourself. You just need a simple baseline you can come back to when life feels full. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing the minimal effective dose for your workouts and nutrition when summer gets chaotic. I'll walk you through the few habits that matter most so you can keep showing up, maintain your strength, support your energy, and stay connected to your goals without turning your health into another full-time job. What's Discussed: Why summer is the perfect time to focus on a realistic baseline instead of chasing perfection How two dumbbell workouts a week can still help you stay strong when your schedule is packed Why protein should be your first focus when meals feel random or unpredictable Why 7,000 steps a day can be a more doable movement goal during busy seasons How to add more daily movement without turning everything into a formal workout Why hydration needs extra attention when heat, travel, and summer activities pick up If summer usually makes you feel like your goals are slipping away, this episode will help you find a better middle ground. You'll learn how to simplify, stay consistent, and keep promises to yourself in a way that actually fits your real life. Ready to have your workouts planned for you so you can stay consistent without guessing what to do next? Head to movementwithjulie.com and get started inside the Movement With Julie app. If nutrition feels confusing, especially when your summer schedule is all over the place, Macro Counting Made Simple will help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats so you can fuel your body with more confidence and less stress. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 640: Why Summer Is Actually the Best Time to Start Counting Macros . It will help you see why summer does not have to pull you away from your goals, and how macro counting can actually give you more flexibility when life feels full. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Hey hey beautiful human! Have you ever noticed how something that started as taking care of yourself slowly turned into something that feels heavy? You still want to work out, you still want to eat well and you still care about your health. But somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling good and started feeling like pressure. Like something you have to keep up with, something you are constantly falling behind on, something that quietly makes you feel like you are not doing enough. And when it starts to feel like that, it makes sense why it becomes harder to show up. Not because you do not care, but because it no longer feels like something that is actually taking care of you. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm walking you through what usually causes that shift, and how to bring your health back to something that feels supportive, sustainable, and actually good to show up for again. What's Discussed: Why health habits stop feeling like self-care and start feeling like pressure How chasing outcomes like weight or numbers can disconnect you from how you actually feel Why working out from a place of punishment changes your entire relationship with movement How joy plays a bigger role in consistency than most women realize Why routines that do not fit your real life are the fastest way to burn out How small shifts in intention can make your habits feel like something you want to return to If you loved this episode, you'll also love: Episode 540: Why Beating Yourself Up Isn't Helping You Reach Your Goals . It pairs perfectly with this conversation and helps you approach your goals from a more supportive place. Ready to have every 30-minute session pre-planned, pre-programmed, and built around exactly this structure? Head to movementwithjulie.com and get started inside the Movement With Julie app. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
