Embrace Your Real

Julie Ledbetter

Welcome to Embrace Your Real with me, Julie Ledbetter, a podcast where I empower you to just be you. My hope for you is to stop hating your body, picking a part every flaw, questioning your worth, doubting your strength, making excuses, and constantly starting over.

I get it, I've been there. I know it feels like an impossible cycle to break, but let me tell you: I've successfully broken the decade long struggle, and over the last 8 years I have helped thousands of other woman do the same. I know it's possible and that's why I am here to ensure you do, too!

Every episode, I dish you a dose of real talk and actionable advice for building the body you want, creating unshakable confidence and embracing your authentic self.

Each week I share my secrets on how to honor your body with movement, nourish your body with exactly what it needs, and give you transformative mental shifts that will help you show up for your life in a powerful way.

Are you ready to embrace your real? Let's get it, let's go!

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Thursday · 10 min
Why Eating More Might Actually Be the Answer
This one is for the woman who feels like she is doing everything "right" and still feels stuck. The workouts are happening. The calories are being watched. Portions are smaller. Dessert is skipped. The discipline is there. And somehow, energy feels low, cravings feel louder, workouts feel harder, and progress still feels like it is not moving. So the next thought is usually, "I just need to be stricter." But girl, what if eating less is not what your body needs right now? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about why eating more might actually be the answer, especially if your body has been running on too little for too long. This conversation is not about eating everything overnight or ignoring your goals. It is about learning how to fuel your body in a way that helps it feel strong, safe, supported, and ready to respond again. What's Discussed: Why eating less is not always the next best move How under-fueling can show up in your energy, cravings, workouts, and recovery Why consistency can feel harder when your body is not properly fueled What a reverse diet can help you do after eating low calories for too long Why protein is one of the simplest places to start If this episode made you realize you are tired of guessing what your body actually needs, Macro Counting Made Simple is the best place to start. Inside, I teach you how to calculate your unique macros based on your body and your goals, so you are not pulling random numbers from the internet or trying to figure it out alone. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to learn more. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 549: Everyone's Talking About Reverse Dieting, But Do You Actually Need One? It is the perfect next listen if this episode got your wheels turning about reverse dieting and how to do it the right way. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
Monday · 16 min
675: 7 Things I Stopped Feeling Guilty About After Becoming a Mom
Mama, can we talk about the guilt for a second? I swear, after becoming a mom, guilt can attach itself to almost anything. The workout you needed. The easy dinner that saved your sanity. The moment you asked for help. The boundary you set. The quiet thought of, "I need a break," followed immediately by, "Wait, am I allowed to feel that?" And for a while, I think I confused that guilt with caring. But what I am learning is that guilt can take an already full, already demanding season and make it feel even heavier. So in this episode of Embrace Your Real, I am sharing seven things I have stopped feeling guilty about since becoming a mom. Not because I have motherhood figured out, but because I am learning that having needs, goals, boundaries, and hard days does not make me any less grateful for this life. And I am hoping that this episode helps you set down some of that guilt too. Not all at once. Not perfectly. But maybe just enough to remind yourself that taking care of your family does not mean forgetting how to take care of yourself. What's Discussed: Why mom guilt can attach itself to even the smallest decisions How workouts can still count when they look different than they used to Why asking for help does not mean you are failing How saying no can protect your time, energy, and family Why loving your kids deeply and finding motherhood hard can both be true If one of the things that feels hard to make time for right now is movement, come join me inside the Movement With Julie app. I give you five brand-new workouts every week, so you never have to spend your limited time deciding what to do. Just open the app, press play, and let me take care of the programming while you focus on showing up in whatever way fits your life that day. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 527: Overcoming Guilt: Prioritizing Your Health and Wellness While Caring for a Newborn. It is the perfect next listen if you are learning how to take care of yourself in the middle of a full life. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
September 10 · 15 min
674: What It Actually Means to Embrace Your Real
Someone recently asked me what "embrace your real" actually means. Not as a podcast name. Not as a cute phrase. But on a random Tuesday when the mirror feels hard, life feels messy, and the version of yourself in your head does not match the season you are actually in. And honestly, I have not stopped thinking about it. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are going back to the foundation of this show and unpacking what this phrase really means in real life. Not the polished version. Not the pretend-you-love-everything version. The real one. This conversation is for the woman who has goals, but does not want to hate herself into reaching them. The woman who wants to grow, but is tired of building everything from pressure, shame, and comparison. What's Discussed: The question that made me look at "embrace your real" in a deeper way Why this phrase is not about giving up on your goals How to start from truth instead of pretending everything is fine Why real life has to be part of the plan, not the thing that ruins it How to stop measuring your progress against someone else's timeline Why the routines you actually enjoy matter more than you think How to look at your story without letting shame have the final word Movement With Julie was built for real life, not perfect conditions. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week with minimal equipment, so movement can meet you in the season you are actually in. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 108: Self Love: The #1 Thing That Transformed My Mindset. It is the perfect next listen if this conversation made you want to keep working on the way you see yourself. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
September 7 · 18 min
673: How to Build the Perfect Workout Plan
A workout plan can sound like it needs to be complicated. Pick the right split. Choose the right exercises. Decide how many days to train. Figure out what equipment to use. Make sure it fits your goal, your schedule, your energy, and your real life. And that is where so many women get stuck. Not because they are lazy. Not because they do not care. But because they are trying to follow plans that were never built around their actual life in the first place. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are breaking down how to build a workout plan that actually works. Not the kind that looks good on paper and falls apart two weeks later. The kind that fits your goals, works with your obstacles, feels realistic for the season you are in, and helps you stay consistent long enough to see results. What's Discussed: Why a workout plan needs to start with a clear goal How to identify the obstacles that have gotten in your way before Why realistic always beats impressive when it comes to consistency How to choose movement that you actually want to come back to What makes a workout plan the right fit for your life Why writing your own workouts can make consistency harder How a structured plan helps you stop guessing and start showing up The Movement With Julie app was built for women who want a clear plan without the overwhelm of creating one from scratch. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, minimal equipment workouts, and the flexibility to train at home, in the gym, or wherever life takes you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if nutrition is the piece you want to make sure supports your workouts, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body without restriction or overwhelm. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you will also love Episode 613: The Best Workout Split to Follow in 2026. It is the perfect next listen if you want help choosing a workout split based on how many days you can realistically train each week. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
September 3 · 12 min
672: What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About My Body After Having a Baby
Postpartum body talk can get so loud. The bounce-back pressure. The timelines. The before-and-afters. The feeling that your body is something to fix as quickly as possible after it just did the most incredible thing. But mama, what if your postpartum body does not need your punishment? What if it needs your awe? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing what I wish more moms knew about their bodies after having a baby, especially when the world keeps telling them to hurry up and "get back." This is a conversation about honoring your body, rebuilding with simple habits, and learning why the slow route may be the thing that gets you further than rushing ever could. What's Discussed: Why postpartum can change the way you see your body How awe can shift the way you treat your body after having a baby Why getting back into movement does not have to be complicated The two simple habits that supported my postpartum season Why obsessing over daily results can make the journey feel heavier How slow, steady consistency can create real change over time Why the "fast route" often leads to more starting over When movement feels like the promise you are ready to keep, the Movement With Julie app gives you five brand-new workouts each week that are challenging, effective, and time efficient with minimal equipment. The workouts are designed to help you honor your body through movement at home, at the gym, or wherever this season of motherhood has you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if fueling your body feels confusing in this season, Macro Counting Made Simple can help you understand your protein, carbs, and fats without restriction or overwhelm. It gives you a simple way to support your body, your energy, and your goals while still living your real life. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love: Episode 622: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Start Tracking Macros as a Mom. It is the perfect next listen if you want to decide whether macros make sense for the season you are in. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 31 · 17 min
671: 5 Things You Need to Hear as the Summer Comes To An End
The end of summer can feel a little loaded. Maybe the routines got loose. Maybe workouts were missed. Maybe nutrition felt more relaxed than usual. And now that fall is right around the corner, there can be this sneaky pressure to buckle down, get serious, and make up for lost time. This is not your end-of-summer guilt trip. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about five things I want you to hear before walking into a new season. Some will challenge the way you have been thinking. Some will feel like permission to stop being so hard on yourself. And some might be exactly what you need to start showing up again without turning fall into a punishment plan. What's Discussed: Why summer should not be the only season that feels joyful How to walk into fall without trying to punish yourself for summer Why getting back on track does not need to be dramatic How to choose a workout schedule you can actually stick to Why the in-between seasons matter so much What it means to honor your body instead of trying to fix it How small choices this fall can help you feel proud by the new year If fall has you wanting more structure with food, Macro Counting Made Simple is such a good place to start. It helps you calculate your macros, understand what your body needs, and make nutrition feel like a lifestyle instead of a total overhaul. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. For workouts, Movement With Julie gives you five brand-new workouts each week with minimal equipment, so staying consistent does not have to feel boring or complicated. Whether your number is two days, three days, or five, the app helps you honor your body through movement in a way that can actually fit your life. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If this episode gave you the check-in you needed, go listen to Episode 574: 6 Actually Helpful Ways to Get Back on Track This Fall (Without Burning Out by Week Two). It is the perfect next step if fall has you ready for a plan that feels simple, doable, and sustainable. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 27 · 11 min
670: What Is a Superset and Why You Should Be Doing Them
Hey hey beautiful human! Some fitness terms sound way more complicated than they actually are. Superset is one of them. It sounds like something you need a gym membership, a trainer, or a bodybuilding background to understand, but sister, it is actually so simple. A superset is just two exercises done back-to-back with little to no rest in between. That is it. Instead of doing one exercise, resting, then moving on to the next, supersets help you keep your workout moving. They save time, add intensity, keep things interesting, and make the equipment you already have work harder for you. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are breaking down what a superset is, the different ways to use them, and why they can be such a helpful tool when you want a workout that feels effective without spending forever doing it. What's Discussed: What a superset actually means How supersets are different from regular straight sets The three ways to structure a superset in your workout Why supersets can help you get more done in less time How supersets increase intensity without always needing heavier weights Why supersets can keep your heart rate up and make workouts feel more engaging How to use supersets without letting your form fall apart The Movement With Julie app makes this simple because the workout structure is already done for you. With five brand-new workouts each week, challenging and time-efficient programming, and minimal equipment needed, you can stop guessing what to pair together and just show up. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 279: 9 Reasons Why I Choose to Workout with Dumbbells. It is the perfect next listen if you want to keep your workouts effective without overcomplicating them. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 24 · 21 min
669: Fitness Q&A
A workout plan can be great and still feel hard to stick with. Motivation fades. Progress feels slow. Travel throws off the routine. Discipline starts to feel confusing. And suddenly, the thing that looked simple on paper feels a lot harder in real life. Not to burst your bubble, but the plan might not be the problem. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are getting into the mindset side of fitness that matters just as much as the workouts themselves. I'm answering your questions about motivation, plateaus, travel, consistency, and the line between healthy discipline and pushing yourself too far. What's Discussed: Why frustration with your body is not the best long-term motivation How movement can become about what it adds to your life, not just what it changes on your body How long to give a workout program before deciding it is not working Why progress can show up in energy, strength, confidence, and consistency before the mirror catches up How to tell the difference between a plateau and a sustainable place for your body What to do when travel or work throws off your normal routine Where healthy discipline ends and toxic discipline begins Movement With Julie is built for the life you actually have. Inside the app, you get five brand-new workouts each week, full-length and 30-minute options, minimal equipment workouts, and the flexibility to train at home, in the gym, or while traveling. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if the nutrition side feels just as confusing, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you learn how to fuel your body in a way that supports your training without restriction or overwhelm. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If this episode had you rethinking what actually makes fitness sustainable, go listen to Episode 649: 5 Fitness Rules Then vs. Now: What We Got Wrong and What Actually Works. It is the perfect follow-up if old fitness rules are still making consistency feel harder than it needs to be. I will link it in the show notes for you. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 20 · 9 min
668: How to Feel Confident in Your Body Right Now — Not When You Lose the Weight
Hey hey beautiful human! So many of us have made a quiet deal with ourselves. Once I lose the weight, then I will feel confident. Then I will wear the dress. Then I will book the trip. Then I will stop hiding in photos. Then I will finally feel comfortable in my own skin. Well, I get why that feels true. When the discomfort feels tied to your body, it makes sense to think changing your body will fix it. But here is the part that so many women do not realize: losing the weight can change your body, but it does not automatically change the way you see yourself. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about the "when I lose the weight" deal so many women make with themselves, why it does not always give you what it promises, and how to start building real confidence in the body you have right now. What's Discussed: Why the "I will feel confident when I lose the weight" mindset feels so believable How the finish line can keep moving even after you reach a goal Why changing your body does not automatically change how you see yourself Where confidence actually starts to come from Why keeping small promises to yourself matters so much How movement can help you build proof that you show up for yourself The one small promise to choose this week so you can start building confidence now And if the promise you choose this week is movement, the Movement With Julie app makes that simple. You get five brand-new workouts each week that are challenging, effective, and time efficient with minimal equipment, so you are not wasting energy wondering what to do. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 280: 10 Truths About Your Self-Worth. It is the perfect next listen if you are ready to stop tying your confidence to a number and start seeing yourself differently. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 17 · 23 min
667: Nutrition Q&A
Food can start to feel really heavy when every choice turns into a rule. Should I track this forever? Did I overdo it this weekend? Can I eat out without starting over tomorrow? Is this nutrition advice actually true, or just another thing someone on social media made sound convincing? If food has started to feel like something you need to control perfectly, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are answering your nutrition questions about tracking macros, weekday restriction, weekend overindulgence, confusing advice online, and how to eat out without mentally derailing your whole week. Because nutrition should support your life, not make you feel scared of it. What's Discussed: How to know when you are ready to step away from tracking macros Why weekday restriction can make weekends feel harder around food What to do when overindulgence has already started How to spot nutrition rules that may not deserve your trust Why eating out does not have to derail your progress How to use structure without letting food control your day Why a healthy relationship with food needs both consistency and flexibility If this episode made you realize you want more structure around nutrition without more fear, restriction, or confusion, Macro Counting Made Simple is there to help. You'll learn how protein, carbs, and fats work together, how to build meals that support your goals, and how to include the foods you love without feeling like you fell off track. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. And if you also need a clear plan for your workouts, Movement With Julie gives you structured strength training so you are not guessing what to do next. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 546: How to Count Macros Without Obsessing Over Numbers. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand your nutrition without feeling controlled by every number. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 13 · 10 min
666: Why You Need to Track Your Weights To See Better Results
If you have ever walked into a workout and thought, "Wait… what weight did I use last time?" this episode is for you. Because here is the thing. A lot of women think better results come from finding a harder workout, adding more exercises, or switching up the plan again. But sometimes the thing holding you back is way more simple. You are guessing. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about why tracking your weights matters if you want to actually see progress from the workouts you are already doing. It may not feel exciting, but knowing what you lifted last time is what helps you know what to reach for next time. And that is how you stop going through the motions and start training with intention. What's Discussed: Why working hard does not always mean you are progressing Why changing workouts is not always the answer What progressive overload looks like in a real workout Why you need to track both weight and reps How to know when it is time to go heavier Why your numbers can show progress before your body looks different How tracking helps you stop guessing and start showing up with a plan The Movement With Julie app makes this so much easier because you can log your weights and reps right inside the app. So instead of trying to remember what you used last week, you can look back, know where to start, and keep building from there. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also loveEpisode 566: What Women Get Wrong About Progressive Overload. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand how to keep challenging your body without overcomplicating your workouts. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 10 · 25 min
665: Mindset Q&A
Hey hey beautiful human! The halfway point of the year can hit a little harder than expected. You think back to January, the goals you set, the promises you made to yourself, and the version of you that said, "This year is going to be different." And now you are looking at where you are today wondering if what you have been doing is actually getting you there. Not to shame yourself. Not to spiral. Not to decide the year is already wasted. But to get honest while there is still time to do something with that honesty. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are doing a mid-year check-in together. We are looking at what is working, what is not, where you may be getting stuck, and what needs to shift so you do not end this year wishing you had started sooner. What's Discussed: Why the middle of the year is the perfect time to pause and get honest How to recognize the habits that are actually working for you Why small progress still deserves to be acknowledged How to look at what is not working without beating yourself up The question that can help you see where your current path is taking you Why trying harder is not always the thing you need most How to make the rest of this year feel more intentional And once you know what needs to shift, the next step is having the right support. If your workouts have felt random, inconsistent, or like you are not sure what to do next, Movement With Julie gives you a clear plan to follow with five brand-new workouts every week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and home or gym flexibility. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If nutrition is where you keep getting stuck, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you stop guessing and understand how to fuel your body in a way that supports your goals without restriction or overwhelm. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 652: 3 Quick Wins to Get You Back on Track. It is the perfect next listen if this check-in made you realize you need a simple reset, not another "start over on Monday" plan. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 6 · 12 min
664: Mid Year Check In: Is What You're Doing Actually Working?
Hey hey beautiful human! If realizing we are already past the halfway point of the year makes your stomach drop a little, this episode is for you. Maybe January was supposed to be the start of the year you finally got consistent, stopped starting over, built the body you wanted, or followed through on the goals you kept pushing off. And now you are looking up wondering where the time went. But girl, this check-in is not here to make you feel bad. It is here to help you stop waiting until December 31st to ask the question that actually matters: Is what you are doing right now getting you where you want to go? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are pausing to look at what is working, what is not working, and what needs to shift before the rest of the year passes you by. There is still so much time left, but only if you are willing to get honest now. What's Discussed: Why the mid-year mark can bring up frustration, pressure, or disappointment How to give yourself credit for what has been working The question to ask yourself before December 31st gets here Why "trying harder" is not always the real solution How to figure out what is actually standing in your way Why the rest of this year can still look completely different And if this check-in shows you that your workouts are the obstacle, Movement With Julie gives you a clear plan so you can stop winging it and start following through. You'll get five brand-new workouts every week, 30-minute and 60-minute options, and home or gym flexibility. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If nutrition is the piece that keeps tripping you up, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body without restriction, overwhelm, or guessing. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 619: 7 Unconventional Ways to Stay Consistent and Actually See Results. It is the perfect next listen once you know what needs to change and want a real way to make consistency stick. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
August 3 · 13 min
663: Nutrition Tricks for The Mom Who Feeds Everyone But Herself
This episode is dedicated to every mom who has ever cooked a full meal for her family and then stood over the sink eating crackers because she ran out of steam before she got to her own plate. Because that is just reality sometimes, right?! In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I am getting into the real reason this keeps happening, how to cope when you are in full survival mode and you are the one running the kitchen, and how to start fueling yourself well without treating it like a completely separate project on top of everything else you are already doing. What I discuss: Why feeding yourself as a mom often feels harder than feeding everyone else—and why it isn't a lack of motivation or discipline. The invisible mental load of planning, shopping, budgeting, cooking, and managing everyone's changing food preferences. Practical strategies for staying nourished during busy "survival mode" seasons, including prioritizing eating something over eating perfectly. Simple ways to make family meals work for your own nutrition by building your plate around the food you're already preparing. Easy, realistic habits that make healthy eating more sustainable, such as keeping convenient protein sources on hand and using leftovers intentionally. How macro counting can provide a flexible framework for understanding your body's needs without requiring perfection or restrictive dieting. And if you loved this episode I think you will also love Episode 662: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Start Tracking Macros as a Mom. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 30 · 10 min
662: What happens when you chase too many goals
Have you ever looked at your life and felt like you should be doing better in every single area? You want to stay consistent with your workouts, eat well, be present with your family, show up at work, keep your home together, grow as a person, take care of your relationships, and somehow not feel completely drained by all of it. And when one area starts slipping, it can feel like you are the problem. But what if the problem is not your discipline? In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about the pressure to chase too many goals at once and why it can make you feel like you are failing even when you are actually trying so hard. If you have been feeling behind, overwhelmed, or like you can never do enough, this episode is going to help you look at your goals in a completely different way. What's Discussed: Why feeling behind does not always mean you need to try harder How to recognize when you are expecting too much from yourself at once Why one area of life may need to take priority for a season How "good enough for now" can give you room to breathe Why narrowing your focus can help you feel less guilty and more present How to decide what matters most in this chapter of your life If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 474: Overcoming Unrealistic Expectations of Yourself. It is the perfect next listen if you are ready to stop holding yourself to standards no real woman could live up to. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 27 · 38 min
661: Should You Train Legs Multiple Times a Week If You Want More Definition?
If you want stronger legs, more glute growth, or that lean, defined look, it makes sense to wonder if one leg day is really enough. And if you are already putting in the work, it can be frustrating when your lower body still does not look as defined as you want it to. So naturally, your brain goes to the next question: do I need more leg days? In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are answering a question from the Movement With Julie community about training legs multiple times a week, repeating muscle groups, and what actually helps your body build definition without burning you out. What's Discussed: How recovery plays a role in building muscle and seeing definition What to look at before adding another weighted lower body workout How to make leg exercises more challenging without needing heavier weights Where walking, HIIT, Pilates, and yoga can fit into your routine Why nutrition matters if you are training consistently but not seeing the definition you want How to get more out of the work you are already doing If you want a strength plan that takes the guesswork out of your workouts, Movement With Julie gives you structured training you can do at home or in the gym, with 30-minute and 60-minute options that help you build strength without overthinking what to do next. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And if you are putting in the work but not seeing the definition you want, your nutrition may be the piece that needs more attention. Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body for muscle, recovery, and real results without restriction or overwhelm. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 566: What Women Get Wrong About Progressive Overload. It is the perfect next listen if you want to keep training smarter and getting better results from the workouts you are already doing. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 23 · 9 min
660: How I Am Getting My Fitness In This Summer While Still Fully Enjoying It
Summer can make it feel like fitness has to wait. The schedule is looser, the kids are home, trips are happening, weekends are fuller, and suddenly your normal routine feels harder to hold onto. So you tell yourself you are being flexible, you are enjoying the season, you will get back to it later. But then later keeps getting pushed back. And instead of feeling free, you start feeling off, tired, frustrated, and disconnected from yourself. In this bonus episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm sharing the simple summer fitness commitment that is helping me stay consistent without making the season feel strict. We are talking about why waiting for motivation does not work, how a few non negotiables can make fitness feel easier, and why getting it done first can help you enjoy the rest of your day without guilt sitting in the background. What's Discussed: How to stay consistent without needing a perfect routine Why making movement optional can leave you feeling less like yourself The simple movement and strength commitments I'm using this summer Why removing the daily decision makes follow-through easier How to keep showing up when travel, kids, and loose schedules are in the mix Why consistency can help you enjoy summer with more energy and less guilt The Movement With Julie app is there when you need your workouts to be simple, effective, and easy to fit into real life. You'll get 30-minute and 60-minute options, home and gym workouts, band-friendly options, five brand new workouts every week, and exercise swaps for limited equipment so you can stay consistent wherever summer takes you. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 619: 7 Unconventional Ways to Stay Consistent and Actually See Results. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand what makes consistency stick during summer and every other season of life. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 20 · 21 min
659: How What You Eat Affects How You Feel
Hey hey beautiful human! Most women are taught to think about food in terms of what it will do to their body. Will this make me gain weight? Will this set me back? Did I stay on track? Did I mess it up? But, what if that is the question keeping you stuck? In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are talking about food in a completely different way. Not from a place of rules, guilt, or restriction, but from the question so many women forget to ask: how do I actually want to feel? Because the way you eat can affect your energy, mood, focus, digestion, cravings, sleep, workouts, and the way you move through your entire day. And once you start noticing that connection, healthy eating stops feeling like something you have to force and starts feeling like a way to take care of yourself. What's Discussed: How eating well starts to feel different when you connect it to energy, mood, and focus Why the 3pm crash, brain fog, bloating, and low motivation may be connected to how you are fueling Why your best days and hardest days can teach you so much about what your body needs How eating to feel good can shift your relationship with food Why consistency feels easier when the reward is how you feel today, not just a future result Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand how to fuel your body without restriction, overwhelm, or guessing. It gives you a simple way to learn what your body needs so your food choices support your energy, mood, focus, and goals. Head to macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 536: Can't Stop Craving Certain Foods? Here's What's Really Going On. It is the perfect next listen if you want to understand your body's signals instead of fighting against them. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 16 · 11 min
658: Pros and Cons of Volume Eating
Hey hey beautiful human! If you have been on social media lately, you have probably seen the giant bowls, the huge salads, the low calorie snack plates, and the "look how much food you can eat for 300 calories" videos. And at first, it sounds like the perfect solution. You get a full plate. You feel like you are eating a lot. You stay within your goals. So of course it feels like the smarter way to lose fat without feeling miserable. But girl, a bigger plate does not automatically mean a better approach. That is the part we need to talk about. Volume eating can be such a helpful tool, but if the goal becomes "how much food can I eat for the fewest calories," you can end up chasing fullness without actually learning how to fuel your body. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I'm breaking down the pros and cons of volume eating, where it can support your goals, where it can start to backfire, and how to use it in a way that helps you feel satisfied without missing the nutrition your body needs. What's Discussed: What volume eating actually is and why it sounds so appealing The part of volume eating that social media tends to leave out Why chasing the lowest calorie option can make your meals feel satisfying but still incomplete How volume eating can affect protein, nutrients, hunger cues, and real life eating Why volume eating works best as a tool, not your full nutrition strategy How to pair volume eating with a macro framework so your meals support your goals Macro Counting Made Simple helps you understand what your body actually needs so you can stop building meals around the lowest calorie option and start building meals that keep you full, fueled, and on track. Once you know your protein, carbs, and fats, volume eating can become a helpful tool instead of something you are relying on to do all the work. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode, you'll also love Episode 466: What To Do When You Are Still Hungry After Hitting Your Macros. It is the perfect next listen if you are trying to manage hunger while staying consistent with your nutrition. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com
July 13 · 23 min
657: My Postpartum Fitness Journey Part 2
Postpartum fitness can feel confusing when you are trying to heal, feed a baby, sleep when you can, and somehow feel like yourself again. You may be wondering what workouts make sense, how often you should move, what to do with nutrition, how breastfeeding affects progress, and how to stay patient when the scale is not moving. In this episode of Embrace Your Real, we are continuing the postpartum fitness Q&A to answer the questions so many new moms are quietly asking. We are talking workouts, macros, breastfeeding, finding time with a newborn, and rebuilding strength without rushing or punishing your body. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, go back and listen after this episode because together, these two episodes give you the full picture of what helped me navigate postpartum fitness in a way that felt supportive, realistic, and sustainable. What's Discussed: What workouts I did postpartum and whether they were intense or low impact How I made workouts happen with a newborn and an unpredictable schedule What my nutrition looked like and when I started counting macros again How breastfeeding affected my postpartum fitness journey How I stayed patient when the scale was not moving as fast as I wanted The Movement With Julie app made it so much easier to stay consistent postpartum, even when my schedule felt all over the place. You'll get five brand-new workouts every week, and you can choose two to three to start. Head to movementwithjulie.com to get started. And for nutrition, Macro Counting Made Simple helps you stop guessing and start fueling your body without restriction or overwhelm. Head to www.macrocountingmadesimple.com to get started. If you loved this episode and already listened to Part 1, you'll also love Episode 514: 10 Ways to Manage Your Fitness as a New Momma. It is the perfect follow-up for making fitness work in this season of motherhood. If you want more from me, be sure to check out… Follow me on Instagram: @juliealedbetter | @embraceyourreal | @movementwithjulie Movement With Julie | App: https://sale.movementwithjulie.com/ Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy: https://www.macrocountingmadesimple.com/ Website: www.juliealedbetter.com

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