I spend a lot of time telling people about the dangers of dieting and how it negatively impacts our ability to be in our bodies. So what do we do instead?

• Relaxed exercise that balances the body and connects the mind and body. This will help you in every aspect of your life. Don’t rule out exercise that feels calming just because we live in a culture that is obsessed with productivity.

• Focus on a healthy body instead of a hard one. Many fitness professionals have a naturally thin frame. Therefore when they focus on their health they will easily become muscular and hard with lower body fat. They are one part of the population that is dominant in the health and wellness space so it’s easy to think they are the “after” picture we should be striving for. But that body isn’t natural for most of us and that doesn’t mean we can’t be healthy and fit in the way that works for us without sacrificing our lives.

• It’s hard to relinquish control of our weight but it’s truly not our job to maintain it. Our body is built to maintain its own weight. Our interference is what has gotten in the way all these years. Our job is simply to take care of ourselves. To rest when we are tired. Eat when we are hungry. Drink when we are thirsty. Call a friend when we need to talk. Ask for help when we are overwhelmed. Move to balance stillness. Cook for self-care and self-love. Or whatever way you love to take care of yourself.