675: 7 Things I Stopped Feeling Guilty About After Becoming a Mom

Mama, can we talk about the guilt for a second? I swear, after becoming a mom, guilt can attach itself to almost anything. The workout you needed. The easy dinner that saved your sanity. The moment you asked for help. The boundary you set. The quiet thought of, "I need a break," followed immediately by, "Wait, am I allowed to feel that?" And for a while, I think I confused that guilt with caring. But what I am learning is that guilt can take an already full, already demanding season and make it feel even heavier. So in this episode of Embrace Your Real, I am sharing seven things I have stopped feeling guilty about since becoming a mom. Not because I have motherhood figured out, but because I am learning that having needs, goals, boundaries, and hard days does not make me any less grateful for this life. And I am hoping that this episode helps you set down some of that guilt too. Not all at once. Not perfectly. But maybe just enough to remind yourself that taking care of your family does not mean forgetting how to take care of yourself. What's Discussed: Why mom guilt can attach itself to even the smallest decisions How workouts can still count when they look different than they used to Why asking for help does not mean you are failing How saying no can protect your time, energy, and family Why loving your kids deeply and finding motherhood hard can both be true If one of the things that feels hard to make time for right now is movement, come join me inside the Movement With Julie app. I give you five brand-new workouts every week, so you never have to spend your limited time deciding what to do. Just open the app, press play, and let me take care of the programming while you focus on showing up in whatever way fits your life that day. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 527: Overcoming Guilt: Prioritizing Your Health and Wellness While Caring for a Newborn. It is the perfect next listen if you are learning how to take care of yourself in the middle of a full 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

Someone recently asked me what "embrace your real" actually means. Not as a podcast name. Not as a cute phrase. But on a random Tuesday when the mirror feels hard, life feels messy, and the version of yourself in your head does not match the season you are actually in. And honestly, I have not stopped thinking about it. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are going back to the foundation of this show and unpacking what this phrase really means in real life. Not the polished version. Not the pretend-you-love-everything version. The real one. This conversation is for the woman who has goals, but does not want to hate herself into reaching them. The woman who wants to grow, but is tired of building everything from pressure, shame, and comparison. What's Discussed: The question that made me look at "embrace your real" in a deeper way Why this phrase is not about giving up on your goals How to start from truth instead of pretending everything is fine Why real life has to be part of the plan, not the thing that ruins it How to stop measuring your progress against someone else's timeline Why the routines you actually enjoy matter more than you think How to look at your story without letting shame have the final word Movement With Julie was built for real life, not perfect conditions. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week with minimal equipment, so movement can meet you in the season you are actually in. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 108: Self Love: The #1 Thing That Transformed My Mindset. It is the perfect next listen if this conversation made you want to keep working on the way you see 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

A workout plan can sound like it needs to be complicated. Pick the right split. Choose the right exercises. Decide how many days to train. Figure out what equipment to use. Make sure it fits your goal, your schedule, your energy, and your real life. And that is where so many women get stuck. Not because they are lazy. Not because they do not care. But because they are trying to follow plans that were never built around their actual life in the first place. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are breaking down how to build a workout plan that actually works. Not the kind that looks good on paper and falls apart two weeks later. The kind that fits your goals, works with your obstacles, feels realistic for the season you are in, and helps you stay consistent long enough to see results. What's Discussed: Why a workout plan needs to start with a clear goal How to identify the obstacles that have gotten in your way before Why realistic always beats impressive when it comes to consistency How to choose movement that you actually want to come back to What makes a workout plan the right fit for your life Why writing your own workouts can make consistency harder How a structured plan helps you stop guessing and start showing up The Movement With Julie app was built for women who want a clear plan without the overwhelm of creating one from scratch. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, minimal equipment workouts, and the flexibility to train at home, in the gym, or wherever life takes you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if nutrition is the piece you want to make sure supports your workouts, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body without restriction or overwhelm. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 613: The Best Workout Split to Follow in 2026. It is the perfect next listen if you want help choosing a workout split based on how many days you can realistically train each week. 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 body talk can get so loud. The bounce-back pressure. The timelines. The before-and-afters. The feeling that your body is something to fix as quickly as possible after it just did the most incredible thing. But mama, what if your postpartum body does not need your punishment? What if it needs your awe? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing what I wish more moms knew about their bodies after having a baby, especially when the world keeps telling them to hurry up and "get back." This is a conversation about honoring your body, rebuilding with simple habits, and learning why the slow route may be the thing that gets you further than rushing ever could. What's Discussed: Why postpartum can change the way you see your body How awe can shift the way you treat your body after having a baby Why getting back into movement does not have to be complicated The two simple habits that supported my postpartum season Why obsessing over daily results can make the journey feel heavier How slow, steady consistency can create real change over time Why the "fast route" often leads to more starting over When movement feels like the promise you are ready to keep, the Movement With Julie app gives you five brand-new workouts each week that are challenging, effective, and time efficient with minimal equipment. The workouts are designed to help you honor your body through movement at home, at the gym, or wherever this season of motherhood has you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if fueling your body feels confusing in this season, Macro Counting Made Simple can help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats without restriction or overwhelm. It gives you a simple way to support your body, your energy, and your goals while still living your real life. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love: Episode 622: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Start Tracking Macros as a Mom. It is the perfect next listen if you want to decide whether macros make sense for the season you are in. 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

The end of summer can feel a little loaded. Maybe the routines got loose. Maybe workouts were missed. Maybe nutrition felt more relaxed than usual. And now that fall is right around the corner, there can be this sneaky pressure to buckle down, get serious, and make up for lost time. This is not your end-of-summer guilt trip. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about five things I want you to hear before walking into a new season. Some will challenge the way you have been thinking. Some will feel like permission to stop being so hard on yourself. And some might be exactly what you need to start showing up again without turning fall into a punishment plan. What's Discussed: Why summer should not be the only season that feels joyful How to walk into fall without trying to punish yourself for summer Why getting back on track does not need to be dramatic How to choose a workout schedule you can actually stick to Why the in-between seasons matter so much What it means to honor your body instead of trying to fix it How small choices this fall can help you feel proud by the new year If fall has you wanting more structure with food, Macro Counting Made Simple is such a good place to start. It helps you calculate your macros, understand what your body needs, and make nutrition feel like a lifestyle instead of a total overhaul. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com  to get started. For workouts, Movement With Julie gives you five brand-new workouts each week with minimal equipment, so staying consistent does not have to feel boring or complicated. Whether your number is two days, three days, or five, the app helps you honor your body through movement in a way that can actually fit your life. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If this episode gave you the check-in you needed, go listen to Episode 574: 6 Actually Helpful Ways to Get Back on Track This Fall (Without Burning Out by Week Two). It is the perfect next step if fall has you ready for a plan that feels simple, doable, and sustainable. 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! Some fitness terms sound way more complicated than they actually are. Superset is one of them. It sounds like something you need a gym membership, a trainer, or a bodybuilding background to understand, but sister, it is actually so simple. A superset is just two exercises done back-to-back with little to no rest in between. That is it. Instead of doing one exercise, resting, then moving on to the next, supersets help you keep your workout moving. They save time, add intensity, keep things interesting, and make the equipment you already have work harder for you. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are breaking down what a superset is, the different ways to use them, and why they can be such a helpful tool when you want a workout that feels effective without spending forever doing it. What's Discussed: What a superset actually means How supersets are different from regular straight sets The three ways to structure a superset in your workout Why supersets can help you get more done in less time How supersets increase intensity without always needing heavier weights Why supersets can keep your heart rate up and make workouts feel more engaging How to use supersets without letting your form fall apart The Movement With Julie app makes this simple because the workout structure is already done for you. With five brand-new workouts each week, challenging and time-efficient programming, and minimal equipment needed, you can stop guessing what to pair together and just show up. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 279: 9 Reasons Why I Choose to Workout with Dumbbells. It is the perfect next listen if you want to keep your workouts effective without overcomplicating 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

A workout plan can be great and still feel hard to stick with. Motivation fades. Progress feels slow. Travel throws off the routine. Discipline starts to feel confusing. And suddenly, the thing that looked simple on paper feels a lot harder in real life. Not to burst your bubble, but the plan might not be the problem. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are getting into the mindset side of fitness that matters just as much as the workouts themselves. I'm answering your questions about motivation, plateaus, travel, consistency, and the line between healthy discipline and pushing yourself too far. What's Discussed: Why frustration with your body is not the best long-term motivation How movement can become about what it adds to your life, not just what it changes on your body How long to give a workout program before deciding it is not working Why progress can show up in energy, strength, confidence, and consistency before the mirror catches up How to tell the difference between a plateau and a sustainable place for your body What to do when travel or work throws off your normal routine Where healthy discipline ends and toxic discipline begins Movement With Julie is built for the life you actually have. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week, full-length and 30-minute options, minimal equipment workouts, and the flexibility to train at home, in the gym, or while traveling. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if the nutrition side feels just as confusing, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you learn how to fuel your body in a way that supports your training without restriction or overwhelm. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If this episode had you rethinking what actually makes fitness sustainable, go listen to Episode 649: 5 Fitness Rules Then vs. Now: What We Got Wrong and What Actually Works. It is the perfect follow-up if old fitness rules are still making consistency feel harder than it needs to be. I will link it in the show notes for you. 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 of us have made a quiet deal with ourselves. Once I lose the weight, then I will feel confident. Then I will wear the dress. Then I will book the trip. Then I will stop hiding in photos. Then I will finally feel comfortable in my own skin. Well, I get why that feels true. When the discomfort feels tied to your body, it makes sense to think changing your body will fix it. But here is the part that so many women do not realize: losing the weight can change your body, but it does not automatically change the way you see yourself. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about the "when I lose the weight" deal so many women make with themselves, why it does not always give you what it promises, and how to start building real confidence in the body you have right now. What's Discussed: Why the "I will feel confident when I lose the weight" mindset feels so believable How the finish line can keep moving even after you reach a goal Why changing your body does not automatically change how you see yourself Where confidence actually starts to come from Why keeping small promises to yourself matters so much How movement can help you build proof that you show up for yourself The one small promise to choose this week so you can start building confidence now And if the promise you choose this week is movement, the Movement With Julie app makes that simple. You get five brand-new workouts each week that are challenging, effective, and time efficient with minimal equipment, so you are not wasting energy wondering what to do. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com  to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 280: 10 Truths About Your Self-Worth. It is the perfect next listen if you are ready to stop tying your confidence to a number and start seeing yourself differently. 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

Food can start to feel really heavy when every choice turns into a rule. Should I track this forever? Did I overdo it this weekend? Can I eat out without starting over tomorrow? Is this nutrition advice actually true, or just another thing someone on social media made sound convincing? If food has started to feel like something you need to control perfectly, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are answering your nutrition questions about tracking macros, weekday restriction, weekend overindulgence, confusing advice online, and how to eat out without mentally derailing your whole week. Because nutrition should support your life, not make you feel scared of it. What's Discussed: How to know when you are ready to step away from tracking macros Why weekday restriction can make weekends feel harder around food What to do when overindulgence has already started How to spot nutrition rules that may not deserve your trust Why eating out does not have to derail your progress How to use structure without letting food control your day Why a healthy relationship with food needs both consistency and flexibility If this episode made you realize you want more structure around nutrition without more fear, restriction, or confusion, Macro Counting Made Simple is there to help. You'll learn how protein, carbs, and fats work together, how to build meals that support your goals, and how to include the foods you love without feeling like you fell off track. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com  to get started. And if you also need a clear plan for your workouts, Movement With Julie gives you structured strength training so you are not guessing what to do next. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 546: How to Count Macros Without Obsessing Over Numbers. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand your nutrition without feeling controlled by every number. 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 have ever walked into a workout and thought, "Wait… what weight did I use last time?" this episode is for you. Because here is the thing. A lot of women think better results come from finding a harder workout, adding more exercises, or switching up the plan again. But sometimes the thing holding you back is way more simple. You are guessing. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about why tracking your weights matters if you want to actually see progress from the workouts you are already doing. It may not feel exciting, but knowing what you lifted last time is what helps you know what to reach for next time. And that is how you stop going through the motions and start training with intention. What's Discussed: Why working hard does not always mean you are progressing Why changing workouts is not always the answer What progressive overload looks like in a real workout Why you need to track both weight and reps How to know when it is time to go heavier Why your numbers can show progress before your body looks different How tracking helps you stop guessing and start showing up with a plan The Movement With Julie app makes this so much easier because you can log your weights and reps right inside the app. So instead of trying to remember what you used last week, you can look back, know where to start, and keep building from there. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also loveEpisode 566: What Women Get Wrong About Progressive Overload. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand how to keep challenging your body without overcomplicating your workouts. 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