In a world obsessed with numbers—weight, calories, dress sizes—it’s easy to believe that fitness is something measured by a scale. Society has ingrained in us the idea that height and weight should align a certain way, but true fitness isn’t about fitting into a specific size or reaching an arbitrary number. It’s about how you feel—strong, energized, capable, and confident in your own body.
Honestly, I’ve never listened to the scale because it’s always brought me down. Instead, I let the mirror and the fit of my clothes do the talking! And more importantly, I’ve learned that feeling good goes beyond appearance—it starts from within. One of the biggest game-changers for me has been gut health.
Bloating used to make me feel uncomfortable in my own skin, no matter how healthy I ate or how often I worked out. But once I started focusing on my gut health, everything changed—not just how my clothes fit, but even my anxiety levels. Everywhere I look it feels like people are talking about this, but as it turns out, the gut-brain connection is real, and when your digestion is off, it can affect so much more than just your waistline.
For me, the key to feeling good is daily movement, proper hydration, and regular bowel movements. Sounds simple, but when my gut was off balance, these things were not as easy as they should have been. I ended up adding two supplements to my diet with the intention of them helping my anxiety, but they ended up improving my gut health AND anxiety!
Everyone’s body is different, but if you struggle with bloating like I did, I want to share the supplements that made it feel like less of an uphill battle. These have helped me feel lighter, more comfortable, and more confident in my body:
#1: Calm – Natural Vitality Magnesium supplement: comes in powder or gummies. I prefer the powder, because I feel like it works better, and I love the taste of the lemon-raspberry flavor! I put one scoop into a 12oz glass of water and guzzle it down before bed.
#2: Theanine Serene – Serene Science for Calm Mind and Body: comes in a pill form and I did find the supplement to be heavy on the stomach, so I like to take this pill right after a big meal, which for me is usually lunch. Theanine was recommended to me by a dear friend for anxiety and it has helped tremendously!
When I first started taking these, I was taking both supplements everyday and that became too much on my stomach, so now I alternate every other day, just an fyi. (both are linked below + pictures!)
Getting back to the point, fitness isn’t about looking a certain way—it’s about feeling strong, healthy, and at home in your own body. And for me, that started with listening to my body, not the scale. Whether it’s gut health, movement, or simply wearing clothes that make you feel good, fitness is a journey that goes far beyond numbers.
So, if you’re tired of letting the scale dictate your mood, I encourage you to shift your focus, figure out your why, and set some realistic goals that do not have the boundary of the scale! Maybe that’s improving your energy, building strength, reducing bloating, or simply moving your body in a way that feels good. Whatever it is, let it be about you, not a number.
Have you struggled with bloating or gut health? What has helped you the most? Drop a comment on my Instagram post—I’d love to hear what works for you and your experience!
