Why Flexible, Real Wellness is the Only Way to Truly Thrive
Let’s be honest — for many women, wellness can feel like another thing we’re “failing” at.
We’re constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we should be eating perfectly, doing hour-long workouts every day, meditating for an hour before sunrise, and somehow also crushing it at work and home.
But here’s what we know here at Alex Ballagh Wellness Coaching: Wellness isn’t supposed to feel like pressure. It’s supposed to feel like care. Like love. Like something that supports your life, not takes it over.
If you’ve ever started a diet, a workout routine, or a mindfulness practice and felt like you were “failing” because you couldn’t keep up — you’re not alone. And it’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because the version of wellness we’re sold is often unrealistic, rigid, and completely disconnected from real life!
So let’s talk about what real, flexible, achievable wellness looks like — and why it works.
1. Nourish Your Body — Without Dieting, Guilt, or Rules
Food is meant to be a source of nourishment, joy, and connection — not stress. So many of us get caught in the cycle of yo-yo dieting, restriction, and guilt based on unachievable external standards of beauty (thanks media)— and let’s be honest, it’s exhausting.
One of the most powerful shifts you can make is to focus on eating whole, nourishing foods most of the time, and also allowing flexibility and joy around food.
Instead of:
Obsessing over every calorie or macro
Cutting out whole food groups because of the latest fad
Feeling guilty for enjoying that incredible chocolate brownie
What if we tried:
Asking ourselves, “What would feel nourishing right now?”
Listening to our hunger and fullness cues — eating when we feel hungry, stopping when we are satisfied
Including foods we love without guilt — yes, that includes chocolate and pizza (every now ang again!)
Example: We might enjoy a smoothie packed with fruit, spinach, and protein for breakfast — and later, share a slice of cake with friends, without beating ourselves up. Both are part of a healthy relationship with food.
When we stop swinging between extremes and find a middle ground, food stops being a battle — and starts being a way to truly care for ourselves.
2. Move Your Body — in Ways That Feel Good, Not Punishing
Exercise is often presented as an all-or-nothing thing — as if if we don’t have an hour to hit the gym, we might as well not bother. But that’s simply not true. In fact, it’s a huge fib.
Movement can be small, simple, and woven into our day — and it’s still powerful. Trust me - it’s worked for me for six years!
Instead of:
Forcing ourselves to do an intense workout when we’re exhausted
Feeling like a failure if we don’t make it to the gym
Pushing our body in ways that feel punishing
Let’s try:
Short movement bites — like a 10-minute yoga flow, a dance break to your favorite song, or stretching before bed
Functional movement — squatting to pick up something, walking while taking a phone call, carrying groceries as strength work
Movement that feels joyful and sustainable — a hike, a swim, or gentle pilates
Example: Maybe you do a 5-minute stretch in the morning, walk your dog at lunch, and dance while cooking dinner. That’s a day full of movement — and it counts.
By focusing on what feels good and works for our unique life, movement becomes something we look forward to — not another chore on the to-do list.
3. Mindfulness that Actually Fits Your Life — Not a 60-Minute Meditation (Unless You Want To!)
Mindfulness is a powerful way to anchor yourself, reduce stress, and feel more grounded. But like everything else in wellness, it’s often presented in an extreme way — long meditations, elaborate routines, expensive retreats.
But here’s the secret sauce: small, simple rituals peppered through your day can be incredibly powerful.
Instead of:
Telling ourselves we need an hour of silence to “do it right”
Feeling like we’re failing if we miss a day of meditation
Seeing mindfulness as something separate from daily life
What if we tried:
Mindful handwashing — feeling the water, taking a deep breath, being present for 30 seconds
Lighting a candle before cooking — marking a transition and inviting calm
Box breathing — a simple 4-4-4-4 breath to reset your nervous system anytime (I love this in the supermarket checkout line!)
✅ A few deep breaths before opening our laptop or walking into a meeting
Example: Before bed, instead of scrolling, you take 2 minutes to breathe deeply, stretch, and say something kind to yourself. That’s mindfulness.
By letting mindfulness fit around our life, it becomes a supportive thread running through our day — instead of an unreachable goal.
The Problem with Unrealistic Wellness — and Why You Deserve Better
Here’s my truth:
When we try to meet unrealistic standards of wellness — rigid diets, punishing workouts, impossible routines, fancy retreats — we often end up feeling:
Frustrated
Resentful — toward ourselves and the wellness world
Disconnected from our own bodies and needs
Instead of feeling better, we feel worse. And we start to believe we’re the problem — when really, the problem is the unrealistic expectation.
You are not the problem. The system is.
Real, sustainable wellness isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold. It’s about creating a version that works for your body, your life, and your season — and that supports you emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Want Help Creating Wellness That Feels Like You?
If you’re done with unrealistic plans and want a wellness approach that’s tailored to your life, I’m here to support you.
In my 1:1 coaching, we work together to:
Find movement you actually enjoy — and that fits your lifestyle
Build a nourishing relationship with food — without rules, restriction, or guilt
Create simple mindfulness practices that bring calm and presence to your day
Support your mindset and wellbeing — so you feel strong and empowered, inside and out
No more trying to fit into someone else’s idea of “wellness”. This is about you — and what helps you thrive.
💛 Ready to create wellness that feels good and works for your life?
Check out my website for my 1:1 coaching and how we can work together to create your version of sustainable, joyful wellness.
Because you deserve to feel good — in a way that lasts.
With love,
A x
