February can feel heavy.
The excitement of January has worn off.
Life is busy again.
And many quietly wonder if they’re already “behind.”
That’s exactly why I want to share something different this month.
There’s a lot of loud health advice floating around right now. Here are three things I am intentionally not telling my clients to do this February—and why.
- I’m not telling them to start over
You don’t need a clean slate.
You don’t need a reset button.
And you don’t need to throw everything out because a few weeks didn’t go as planned.
Health isn’t built on perfect starts—it’s built on adjustments.
This reminds me of my teaching days. When I was a student teacher, I once brought home a set of reading tests to grade—even though not all of the test had been completed yet. I spent hours grading what I could, fully intending to finish the rest the next day.
Except… I forgot the tests at home.
My cooperative teacher was understandably not happy. But because I had spent so much time grading, I remembered the final unanswered question. All I had to do was type it up, print it, and make copies. No starting over. No throwing everything out. Just a simple adjustment.
And it worked.
That lesson has stayed with me. When something isn’t perfect or complete, the answer isn’t always to scrap everything and start again. Often, it’s to pause, problem-solve, and move forward from where you are.
That’s exactly how I approach health and wellness—especially in February.
- I’m not telling them to push harder
In my 30s, I believed pushing through was the answer.
I ran often, pushed my body hard, and told myself rest was something I could earn later. I was up at 4 a.m. and didn’t slow down until 10 p.m. most days. Sleep was optional. Recovery was an afterthought.
Not surprisingly, I was constantly injured.
At the time, I thought the problem was that I wasn’t doing enough. Looking back, the problem was that I wasn’t listening.
Now, I prioritize sleep and recovery, and I let my body guide me. Tools like my Oura Ring and Garmin watch help me pay attention to what my body is actually telling me—when it’s ready to push and when it needs rest.
That shift changed everything.
Health doesn’t improve when we ignore the signals. It improves when we respect them. Especially in midlife and beyond, pushing harder isn’t the goal—recovering smarter is.
- I’m not telling them to rely on motivation
My running has slowed down lately, but just a year ago I was still running higher mileage and training consistently.
I remember plenty of mornings when motivation was nowhere to be found—20-degree winter mornings, or 6 a.m. summer runs when it was already 99 degrees with 100% humidity. I wasn’t excited. I wasn’t energized. I wasn’t eager to get started.
But I had a goal.
And I knew that if I wanted to reach that goal, I had to show up—even when motivation was missing. I also knew something else: I would feel better when it was over.
So I ran anyway. Not recklessly, and not at the expense of my body—but because the plan was already in place (and yes, unless my body clearly told me otherwise).
That’s the difference between motivation and commitment. Motivation comes and goes. Systems, goals, and self-trust are what carry us forward—especially in February, when enthusiasm naturally fades.
What I am encouraging instead
Instead of starting over, pushing harder, or waiting to feel motivated, I encourage my clients to:
- Adjust, not abandon
• Choose consistency over intensity
• Protect sleep and manage stress like they matter (because they do)
• Build strength so everyday life feels easier
• Ask for support instead of trying to “fix” themselves
If reading this feels like a relief, you’re not alone.
February doesn’t need more pressure.
It needs a steadier, kinder approach—and that’s where real change happens.
If you’d like support navigating this season in a way that works for your life, I’d love to help. Whether it’s a one-time goal session or ongoing coaching, you don’t have to do this alone.
