How often have you found yourself frustrated with the numbers on the scale, feeling that rush to achieve your fitness goals, or sticking rigidly to outdated habits? In this episode, I tackle these common struggles, offering new perspectives for long-term success.
Join me as I explore the lessons learned from my recent trip to French Polynesia, focusing on slowing down, appreciating the journey, and using data wisely to enhance your fitness journey. This episode is your kick in the ass to help you stop obsessing over quick fixes and start savoring your progress!
In this episode, we cover:
- Discover why relying solely on scale numbers can be misleading and how to understand your body's signals better.
- Learn how adopting a slower, more deliberate pace, akin to 'island time,' can transform your approach to fitness and life.
- Understand the benefits of focusing on the process, not just the goal, for a more fulfilling and sustainable fitness journey.
- Gain insights into why quick results are often temporary and how building a strong foundation leads to long-term success.
- Learn the importance of educating yourself to make informed decisions as life changes rather than following rigid routines.
- Reflect on how sticking to familiar routines can limit your potential, and learn to embrace different methods for growth.
- Explore the pitfalls of data reliance from fitness tracking devices and the importance of self-awareness and common sense.
Let’s be real. Life gets busy, and sometimes, it feels easier to chase quick fixes rather than take the time to build a strong foundation. However, constantly sprinting through your fitness journey can leave you ill-prepared for the road ahead. By embracing a more deliberate and informed approach, you’re setting yourself up for success that lasts.
Just because this worked when you had no kids, and you were 20 years old, and your only responsibility was to have clean underwear and make sure that you're not late for work, it doesn't mean that it's going to work now.
How will you apply these insights to your own fitness routine? What part of your journey have you been rushing, and how will you start savoring the process? I want to hear from you! Drop me a message on Instagram, and let’s keep this conversation going.
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Thanks for joining us on the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple and Spotify to help us reach even more women ready to simplify their fitness journey so they can lose weight, regain their confidence, and feel sexy AF!
More about the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast
Ever wish you had a fit and straightforward BFF with over 15 years of experience to help you filter through all the information regarding fitness, nutrition, and life?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you listen to the Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast.
Join Former Bikini Olympia Champion, mom of 2, and fitness coach Nathalia Melo each week as she shares fitness, nutrition, and life tips to help busy working moms simplify their fitness journey so they can learn easy and simple strategies on how to lose weight and feel sexy AF.
After helping over 5000 busy working moms, Nathalia has found the blueprint to fitness, nutrition, and life success, which she will be sharing in this podcast: actionable tips that will help busy working moms be more present at work and at home.
This show is for you if you realize that nothing good comes from your comfort zone and are ready to challenge yourself to achieve great things. Follow Unfiltered Fit Life wherever you are listening to join us each week for a splash of sass, humor, and a whole lotta truth.
The podcast transcript for this episode of the Unfiltered Fit Life podcast follows
[Natalia Melo]
Hello, hello there, fam! Welcome to another episode of The Unfiltered Fit Life Podcast. I’m Natalia Mello, your host, and today’s episode is brought to you with a little extra sunshine. Why? Because I just returned from a week away in the French Polynesia!
Let me tell you—this place was breathtaking, and I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. While I was there, soaking in the serene vibes, I couldn’t help but notice some parallels between island living and our fitness journeys. Today, I’m going to share three fitness lessons I learned from spending a week on this beautiful island.
But before we dive in, I have to give a huge shoutout to one of the fan mails we received!
Fan Mail Spotlight
This message comes all the way from Perth, Australia, and here’s what it says:
"Love your podcast so much! I listen while I’m cleaning my house and find them so inspirational and real. I can’t express how much I appreciate your no-BS attitude and approach. I’m nine months into menopause and thriving—not just surviving—and I attribute this to your practical and very real advice. I recommend your podcast to anyone who will listen! Thank you for being you, for being real and honest, and for giving us women a positive, no-BS role model and mentor. Please keep it up—your podcasts are my therapy sessions and have changed my life dramatically."
Big hugs right back to you, Perth! Thank you for those kind words. And just a quick side note—this podcast is no replacement for therapy. Everyone can benefit from therapy, and I’m just here sharing life lessons and fitness insights with you all.
Now, let’s jump into today’s topic: 3 Fitness Lessons from Island Living.
Lesson 1: Don’t Isolate Yourself in Your Own Fitness “Island”
During my stay, I noticed something interesting. On the island we visited—Moorea—there’s not much separation between the tourist areas and local spots. Everyone seems to live, eat, and exist in one cohesive way. While it was refreshing, it also made me think about how isolating island life can be.
Many people born and raised on an island only know what exists within that environment. They may not have exposure to alternative ways of living, new perspectives, or diverse cultures. The same thing happens in fitness.
So many people get stuck in their own fitness "island." Maybe you’ve been doing the same workout or following the same diet for years because it worked for you at one time. But what worked when you were 20 and child-free might not work now that you’re juggling a family, career, and other priorities.
Life changes, and so should your approach to fitness. Ask yourself:
- Are you still trying to train like you did in college?
- Are you stuck in a “more is better” mentality, thinking you need two-hour gym sessions or extreme diets to see results?
If so, it might be time to expand your horizons and open yourself up to new methods. Efficiency is key, and there’s no shame in pivoting your approach to suit your current season of life.
Lesson 2: Data Is Great, But Context Is Crucial
I’m a huge fan of data. Whether it’s fitness trackers, meal logs, or scales, data can be a helpful tool. But here’s the thing: data doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Let me share a quick example from my trip. Before we left, I checked the weather forecast obsessively. Every single day, it said rain, rain, and more rain. I was so annoyed and complained to my husband. But guess what? When we arrived, it was sunny and gorgeous every day!
This taught me an important lesson: while data is valuable, it should always be viewed in context. In fitness, I see this issue all the time:
- Smartwatches: People obsess over calorie burn numbers, even though these devices can be up to 96% inaccurate!
- Sleep trackers: I used to wear an Oura Ring, and if it told me I had a bad night’s sleep, I’d convince myself I felt terrible—even if I actually felt fine.
- Food trackers: Apps like MyFitnessPal are helpful, but remember—they’re based on user-entered data, which can be wildly inaccurate.
Instead of letting data dictate your decisions, use it as a tool in combination with self-awareness. Ask yourself:
- How do I actually feel today?
- Am I really hungry, or am I eating just because the numbers say I “can”?
- If I’m not losing weight, could there be errors in my tracking?
Data is important, but it should always be balanced with intuition and self-assessment.
Lesson 3: Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination
One of the most memorable parts of our trip was riding a scooter around the island. Moorea has one main road that loops around, and there’s no rushing to get anywhere. At first, I found it frustrating—I’m someone who likes things done yesterday. But as we rode along, I started to notice how beautiful the journey itself was.
It hit me: the same applies to fitness. So many people rush to their goals, obsessed with losing weight or building muscle as quickly as possible. But when you’re always focused on the outcome, you miss the beauty of the process.
Here’s the thing: the habits and lessons you learn during the journey are what will help you maintain your results in the long term. If you rush through it, you’re less likely to build a solid foundation.
For example, I recently spoke to a woman who had great short-term results with a very intense program. But when life got busy, she couldn’t maintain it because she hadn’t built the habits or flexibility needed to adapt.
So, slow down. Appreciate the milestones along the way. Take time to enjoy the small victories, whether it’s feeling stronger, having more energy, or simply showing up for yourself consistently.
Recap: 3 Fitness Lessons from Island Living
- Don’t isolate yourself in a fitness “island.” Be open to new methods and perspectives that suit your current season of life.
- Data is great, but context is crucial. Combine data with self-awareness and intuition to make smarter decisions.
- Embrace the journey, not just the destination. The process of reaching your goals is just as important as the results themselves.
[Natalia Melo]
I hope these lessons resonate with you and help you reflect on your own fitness journey. What beliefs might be holding you back? Are you stuck in a routine that no longer serves you? Let me know your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you!
You can find me on Instagram (link in the show notes) or send me a fan mail. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! It means the world to me and helps others discover the podcast.
Thank you for listening, and I’ll catch you next week! Bye-bye!
