If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably heard the phrase:
“Just listen to your body.”
Sounds great… but it’s often misunderstood.
For some people, that turns into:
“Do I feel like working out today?”
And if the answer is no—they skip it.
That’s not really what “listening to your body” means.
Why?
Because your body is basically a toddler.
And toddlers? They don’t always make the best decisions.
Tormund is an awesome kid—but if he planned the day, we’d be hanging out at home in rain boots and mismatched pajamas, eating Cheetos nonstop, watching TV, and waiting for the next Monster Truck show to roll into town.
Fun? Sure.
Ideal long-term plan? Not so much.
Instead, we have a plan for what we think a healthy, happy childhood looks like—and we balance that with how he’s doing each day.
- On a good day, we do it all—play, move, explore, learn, have fun.
- On a tough day, we still get out and do things, just with a little less intensity.
- And when he’s sick, we slow it right down and focus on rest and recovery.
Your body works the exact same way.
If left to its own devices, it would happily sit around all day scrolling, snacking, and conserving energy. (It’s wired that way for survival—not for modern life.)
That’s why you create the plan.
You decide what a healthy life looks like:
- Getting enough sleep
- Moving every day
- Strength training a few times a week
- Eating well and fueling your body
- Taking care of mobility and recovery
On your best days, you hit all of it—and it feels great.
On your off days, you still show up… just at a lower gear. Maybe the workout isn’t perfect, maybe the effort is a bit “phoned in”—but you keep the habit alive.
And when you’re sick or run down, that’s when you truly listen to your body—rest, recover, and let all those good habits you’ve built support you.
Think of it like a bank account.
Every good choice is a deposit.
And when life throws something at you, you’ve got something to draw from.
Some days, getting to the gym feels like a fight.
Other days, it feels like the best part of your day.
Both count.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistently moving in the direction of the life you want.
(And to finish the toddler analogy… hopefully all those good habits and experiences mean he’ll come visit us one day—and make a positive impact on the people around him too.)