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| | ✅ Today's Checklist: The trip home that reset Kristel's health Breaking the habit of handling it all Recipe of the week: Easy Mongolian Beef
🤔 Trivia: Which U.S. President signed the law that officially recognized Women's Equality Day (August 26) as a national observance? Find out.
⏰ Happening Tomorrow: Join our free Aug 21 workshop with Next Arrow to learn how HR teams can better support working parents—just in time for National Working Parents Day! |
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| | | | | | | I Didn't Diet—I Just Went Home (and Lost 20 Pounds in the Process) |
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| When I moved to the U.S. two two years ago, I weighed about 121 lbs (that's 55 kilos—my usual weight since forever). I was active, cooking fresh meals, and feeling good in my body.
At the time, I had no reason to think that would change.
I was disciplined. Health-conscious. I knew my body and how to care for it.
But within the first six months, I started to feel...off.
The weight crept up slowly. My digestion was weird. I felt bloated most days. My energy dipped. And I wasn't doing anything dramatically different. If anything, I was even more careful about what I ate—reading labels, avoiding junk, working out when I could.
Still, my body didn't feel like home anymore. And by this past spring, I had reached 136 lbs. Not a huge number, but for me, it was unfamiliar and layered with frustration and confusion. Because I was trying. I wasn't letting myself go. But something about my environment, my lifestyle, the culture around food and work and movement—it just wasn't working for me.
The grocery store became a war zone. I'd walk the aisles squinting at labels, trying to find just one tomato sauce without seed oils or sugar.
🧐 Did You Know?
Nearly 60% of the average American diet comes from ultra-processed foods—loaded with additives, industrial oils, and hidden sugars. In comparison, many countries abroad rely on simpler, locally sourced ingredients with far fewer preservatives. The same "healthy" food can hit your system very differently depending on where you are.
Even when I cooked from scratch, which I love, it felt like a minefield. The "clean" options were either packed with additives or double the price of everything else. Eating out? Nearly impossible. I found maybe two restaurants I could trust with my gut, and even then, I didn't leave feeling great.
More than anything, I felt disconnected. From my body. From my joy. From people.
I was working from home, raising two kids, trying to juggle everything in isolation. No close friends nearby. No spontaneous meetups.
I didn't realize how lonely I was—until I went home.
This May, I flew back to my hometown by the Mediterranean for what was supposed to be a two-month visit. No big wellness plan. No transformation agenda. I just needed a break. From the grocery labels. From the rush. From the low-key burnout that had become my baseline.
And something amazing happened almost immediately:
My body exhaled. My spirit exhaled.
I wasn't trying to lose weight, but within days, the bloating disappeared. I started sleeping better. My digestion improved. My mood stabilized. My skin looked brighter. And without counting a single calorie or restricting a single thing, I started dropping weight slowly, steadily, and effortlessly.
I was eating bread, by the way. And pizza. And pasta.
But it wasn't hyper-processed. It was food—simple, local, fresh. Olive oil that hadn't been sitting on a shelf for nine months. Vegetables from the market down the street. Meat from a real butcher. Cheese that didn't need 15 stabilizers.
In the U.S., common food additives like titanium dioxide, BHA, and azodicarbonamide (yes, the infamous yoga mat chemical) are still widely used—while banned in places like the EU. Even staples like flour and dairy are processed differently. Abroad, my food didn't just taste better. It treated my body better.
I didn't snack. Not because I was intermittent fasting, but because my meals were satisfying. I wasn't looking for something to fill me. I already felt full—in the right way.
It wasn't just the food.
It was my life that changed.
I spent every day surrounded by people who knew me. My childhood best friends. My aunt, sister and nephews. My kids had cousins to play with. I had friends to grab coffee with. We laughed until our cheeks hurt. We went out dancing. We cooked together, sat around full tables, walked along the beach after dinner.
I moved more, but not in a gym. I walked because we walk everywhere. I danced because the music was on. I cleaned, shopped, and cooked with joy, not obligation.
Countries with the lowest obesity and stress rates often share this in common: daily, joyful movement. Not workouts. Lifestyle. It's not about steps—it's about rhythm.
My nervous system finally had room to relax. And the inflammation left my body. I started feeling light again, emotionally and physically. By the time I hit the 6-week mark, I had already dropped over 10 pounds. And by the end of two and a half months, I was down to 116 lbs.
That number matters less than what it represented: I felt at home in myself again.
There were small rituals I brought back without even thinking:
Drinking warm lemon water before big meals. Eating with my feet flat on the floor and no phone in my hand. Cooking in my clay tagine, just like my mom did. Sitting down to eat, not rushing through bites while standing or scrolling. Swapping supplements for garlic, herbs, greens, fermented foods. Drinking room temperature water instead of iced everything. Getting outside. Letting my body feel the rhythm of the day instead of stuffing it into schedules and hacks.
Now I'm heading back to the States. I fly out Friday.
And I won't lie—I'm a little nervous. But I'm not afraid.
Because this time, I'm bringing the version of me that knows what she needs. The one who remembers that weight isn't always about calories; it's about connection. Nervous system safety. Digestive rhythm. Joy.
I'm not going back to survival mode.
I'm going back with a blueprint for how I want to eat, move, feel, connect, and live.
And if you're reading this feeling tired, puffy, inflamed, confused, I want to tell you this:
You're not broken. You're just overwhelmed.
Start small. Sit down when you eat. Cook one real meal this week. Call someone who knows your laugh. Light a candle. Breathe.
Your body remembers what it feels like to be well.
You just have to give it the chance to come home again.
Real Habits That Helped (And Might Help You, Too) 🍅 Read ingredient labels—aim for 5 ingredients or fewer 🧈 Avoid ultra-processed foods when you can—look out for seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives 🥖 Choose real bread—sourdough, sprouted grains, or European-style loaves are easier on digestion 📵 Eat without your phone—pause, sit down, and savor your meals 🌞 Get outside daily—even a 10-minute walk can lower cortisol 🧘♀️ Add nervous system-soothing rituals—lemon water, deep breaths, warm meals, real connection 💃 Let movement be joyful, not punishing—walk, dance, stretch, play 🧄 Cook with real herbs, garlic, and anti-inflammatory ingredients 🧂 Don't stress over "perfection"—just come back to what feels nourishing
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| | | | | Psych-Backed Ways to Build Habits That Last |
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| If you've ever felt like you're constantly starting over, you're not alone.
In a recent reader poll, we asked what makes it most challenging to stick with healthy habits.
Here's what came up:
Noom was designed for exactly that. It's a science-backed program rooted in helping you build lasting habits by shifting your mindset, not your meal plan.
Instead of telling you what not to do, Noom gives you practical tools, daily support, and personalized guidance that flexes with your real life.
Why it works: 95% say it feels sustainable¹ 98% report real habit change² Users lose an average of 15.5 lbs in 16 weeks³ (when that's their goal)
You'll get: Bite-sized lessons grounded in behavior science A plan tailored to your goals and lifestyle Real coaches who keep you accountable (not just an app) Food tracking without guilt Tools for long-term success
Healthy doesn't have to mean hard. With Noom, it's doable, and you can feel good about it.
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Disclaimers: ¹U.S: Based on a sample of 4,272 Noomers); ²US: Based on a sample of 4,602 Noomers); ³US: Average based on first time users who remained active in the program for a full 16 weeks) |
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| | | | If You're The Daughter Who Always Handles Everything, This One's For You |
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| When your phone buzzes, do you instantly think, What crisis am I solving now? At work, home, or with friends, are you the one everyone calls to organize, mediate, or give advice?
If so, you might have what's called "eldest daughter syndrome". And no, it's not about birth order—it's about being the person everyone expects to carry the load, all the time.
What It Looks Like
Eldest daughter syndrome describes that all-too-familiar experience of feeling responsible for everyone else's well-being. Signs include constant people-pleasing, chronic worry, difficulty setting boundaries, and perfectionism that leaves you drained.
Often it stems from parentification: when someone ends up taking on adult responsibilities or emotional caregiving roles earlier than they should have. These patterns don't stay in childhood; they follow us into careers, friendships, and relationships.
How to Push Back Acknowledge it. Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or exhausted from constantly managing other people's needs is completely valid. Practice small no's. Decline low-stakes requests when you're maxed out: "I can't help with that right now, but I hope you understand." No over-explaining required. Protect self-care. Schedule 10 minutes a day for you, no matter what. Challenge perfectionism. Aim for "good enough" instead of flawless. Set time limits on tasks and focus on progress over perfection. Communicate your needs clearly. Have honest conversations using "I" statements: "I've been feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities I've taken on, and I need more support." Release control. You can't be responsible for everyone's happiness. Focus on what you actually can control: your actions, responses, and choices. Rediscover your identity. When was the last time you did something just because you enjoyed it? Start reconnecting with hobbies or interests that bring you joy. Get support. Consider working with a therapist who specializes in family dynamics and boundary-setting. Resources like Kendra Austin's Eldest Daughter podcast and books like Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents can help you understand and work through these patterns.
The Reality of Changing These Patterns
When you start setting boundaries, some people won't like it. They've gotten used to you handling everything. They might push back or make you feel guilty. This doesn't mean you should stop, it means your boundaries are working.
Remember: you're not responsible for everyone else's happiness, your needs matter just as much as everyone else's! |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | Stop Guessing. Start Building the Future You Want. |
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| | | Second-guessing your savings. Unsure if you're missing tax breaks. Wondering if your retirement plan will actually hold up.
Money stress doesn't just live in spreadsheets, it follows you into every big decision.
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P.S. Spots are limited, so don't wait—book your free call today. |
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| | | | | | | | Stuff We're Loving This Week |
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| | | 🍽 Dinnerware that's lightweight, eco-friendly, and shockingly cute. |
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