#173 - When the Quest for Health Becomes Unhealthy

Achievements, lessons, mistakes, and reflections. 2025 goals, resolutions, and plans. Another year of podding, thank you all for listening!

Questioning the motive is very important when it comes to healthful behaviours. Is it coming from a good place? A place of positivity and intention? Or a place of scarcity, fear, and self doubt? Today we go into some of our own experiences with the above – and how they have shaped our thoughts around it today.

Today we went into why we often feel like there's pressure to change something this time of year, when in reality we know that if we were working towards something that truly meant something to us – we'd probably be a lot more keen to start now. Direction is key, specific goals not so much. We want to know where we going, and we might just find something worth sticking around for on the way.

Today we reflected on Friday's summit and the topic of adherence and why it's the only variable that truly matters in the end. "What WILL we stick to?" Rather than, "What COULD we stick to?" Complexity can make this harder, as well as not understanding our own goals and what we truly want out of all of this.

Today we go into why putting in a graft in the gym will only do you good, and how to make sure when you do – you're getting the most from it you can. We also go into pain and resiliency, and how so many fall short because they think something bad is going to happen – when in reality, that thought alone will cause more damage than any injury.

Today we discussed the topic of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Although it sounds like something only athletes may struggle with – that is not the case. RED-S is essentially over exercising and under fuelling. It's attempting to put our bodies through sessions we are just not prepared for, or consistently under-eating rather than spending MOST of the time in energy balance (maintenance).

Today we go into the common misconceptions around one or the other – when humans need both to thrive. A lot of these misconceptions come from bodybuilding, and somehow wormed their way into mainstream fitness. Cardio adds years to your life, resistance adds life to your years. Both, not, "Which one?

No two schedules are the same, which is why no two programmes are the same. Today's episode goes into how to find one that works for you, and why comparison will only set you back.If you’re enjoying the podcast go ahead and let us know over at @awsh_pod and get involved in the conversation. You can also drop us a question below ⬇️

Quite often the issue is hitting us square in the face. But it's easy to miss the things that matter, because they're often the hardest and require the biggest effort. We have to remember that acknowledging the pounds saves time! And gives you more bang for your buck. The extra mile is never crowded, pick up those pounds.

We took inspiration from Craig Massey on this episode and dug a little deeper into finding that sweet spot of challenge which will make or break your fitness success. Too hard? You lose motivation, get injured, find yourself in pain, feel disheartened. Too easy? You're bored, uninspired, not progressing, stagnant. Sweet spot? You're progressing, challenged, motivated, making mistakes and learning – it's what we should all be hunting for!