Hello!
I’m headed back from our trip to Switzerland (got stranded overnight in New York City, so venturing out to catch a view of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Park here shortly). I woke up thinking about the fondue, fresh pretzels, rich chocolate, and all the mulled wine I indulged in at the Swiss Christmas markets. Not feeling guilty, just savoring the delicious memories.
Which reminded me about what I've read recently on how adaptability and flexibility are huge assets for our health — far more than strict rules or rigid habits.
Our Bodies Are Designed to Adapt
Recent research in nutrition and health is beginning to shift how we define “being healthy.” One concept scientists talk about is called phenotypic flexibility — basically, our body’s ability to adapt to changes and recover well from short-term stresses like variations in eating, exercise, sleep, or stress. This adaptability isn’t a flaw — it’s a marker of good health. SpringerLink
That means your body can handle a rich dinner tonight and come back toward its preferred “baseline” tomorrow… especially if you listen to it instead of trying to punish yourself for enjoying life.
Flexibility in Eating Helps You Feel Good vs Guilt
There’s also a lot written about flexible approaches to eating — from intuitive eating to flexible dieting — that help reduce guilt, improve your relationship with food, and make healthier patterns more sustainable over time. Rather than dividing foods into “allowed” and “forbidden,” these approaches help you respond kindly to your body’s cues and make choices based on how you feel and what you need that day.
I find myself craving vegetable soups now, but I'm doing my best to see this not as “fixing a mistake.”, rather as my body communicating what it wants next. I’m looking forward to making a few different variations this week.
Movement Is Adaptable Too
My normal exercise routine went out the door this past week too, but that's okay. Instead I found myself walking way more than normal–exploring down cobblestone streets still gave my body what it needed–movement, but in a different way.
Health Isn’t a Set Rule — It’s a Living Practice
Here’s the practical wisdom to take away from this:
- Enjoy what you’re eating without guilt. It’s part of nourishing your life, not just fueling your body.
- Tune into what your body wants next. Cravings for soup, greens, movement, rest — these are signals of what you might need and enjoy now.
- Celebrate how you move. Walking counts, just like lifting weights or other forms of movement — the balance of them all is best over time.
Adaptability is one of the healthiest traits you can nurture — both in body and mind. When you give yourself permission to respond to life (not struggle against it), nurturing good health becomes something pleasant, not stressful.
Here’s to flexibility — on the fork and in life.
Warmly,
Julie
Flexibility supports my well-being — in how I eat, move, and live.
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