Why August Is the Perfect Time to Prioritize Your Health

If you’re anything like the women I work with, you’re probably the person everyone else depends on.

You may be managing a career, a family, a calendar full of commitments, but somewhere along the way, your own health started taking a back seat.

August may seem like an unusual time to start a fitness routine or work on lifestyle habits, but it’s actually one of my favorite times to work with new clients. We’re coming off a busy summer, kids are going back to school and it seems like everyone is craving a routine. August offers a unique opportunity to get into a sustainable lifestyle routine before the chaos of the holidays begins around Thanksgiving.

Let’s face it, most women spend the holidays feeling like they’ve fallen off track with parties and holiday celebrations. The cycle is predictable. Let it all go in December and turn toward January to make a grandiose goal of losing 10 pounds or doing a crash detox to make up for all of the holiday treats. Can you imagine entering the holiday season with healthy habits that feel natural and not restrictive? Sustainable health is built through small, consistent changes that fit into your real life.

There is so much circulating misinformation and predatory marketing on social media. There is a huge industry that leans on the commodification of women’s “unwellness”. I started Verified Wellness to be a place for women to find comfort. Everyone is looking for a quick fix, it’s human nature, but unfortunately many of the solutions in the wellness industry are just too good to be true. What actually moves the needle? It’s the un-sexy stuff: eating plants, movement, sleep, managing stress, your relationships and avoiding the substances that are not health promoting. It’s making mindful choices, finding your purpose, and living life with more ease. I work with women one on one to provide the evidence-based education, accountability and support they need to make sustainable changes. It’s one small habit at a time. Maybe working on a bedtime routine so that you can wake up before the kids just to have a moment of peace before the day starts. Maybe its adding one plant food to your plate. Maybe it’s going for a walk. Everyone is different which I exactly why I create a personalized plan that is 100% client dependent. There are no rigid meal plans or unrealistic expectations. My approach is practical, evidence-based, and designed to meet you where you are.

I also, don’t shy away from hot topics. GLP-1’s are a total gamechanger in the landscape of obesity management and chronic disease prevention. My first love is another un-sexy topic: chronic disease epidemiology. If we know the behaviors that set us up for a heart attack, diabetes or a neurodegenerative disease like dementia why wouldn’t we take a proactive approach and do the things to move the needle in the opposite direction? GLP-1’s are one of the emerging tools that have a synergistic effect on our health when combined with lifestyle changes. Nutrition, strength training, sleep, stress management, and preserving muscle mass are an essential part of the equation for long-term success.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to prioritize your health, consider making August your starting point. Three months from now, you could be heading into the holidays feeling strong, prepared, and confident instead of promising yourself you’ll start over in January.

The women I work with understand the value of investing in the things that matter most. Your health deserves that same investment. When you feel strong, energized, and confident in your body, you have the freedom to fully show up for the people, experiences, and life you love.