Headed into spring break or just life-ing a little harder than usual and worried about missing your workouts? In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what happens to your body when you take a week (or more) off from training. Spoiler alert: you're not losing all your progress—and in fact, the break might be exactly what your body needs.

I dive into muscle memory, why rest is part of the process, how often you should actually plan time off, and how to shift your mindset so you don’t spiral into guilt. Plus, I share what a deload week is and how you can use it to come back feeling stronger, not behind.

Whether you're on vacation, dealing with a crazy schedule, or just feeling off, this episode will help you embrace the pause and stay committed to your long-term goals.

What’s Discussed:

• Why taking a week off won’t erase your progress

• How long it really takes to lose muscle or strength

• What muscle memory is and why it’s on your side

• The power of planned rest and how often to take it

• What a deload week is and how it supports long-term gains

• Nutrition tips to help support your body during a break

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love Episode 413: The Importance of a Rest Day: Don’t Let Overexercising Ruin Your Progress

Feel like you’re stuck even though you’re doing everything right? Before you overhaul your whole plan, listen up! In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I’m walking you through exactly how to tell if you’re truly in a fitness plateau—or if there’s just one key piece missing from your routine. I’m also giving you 5 of the most effective and sustainable strategies to break through a plateau without burning out or giving up.

What I Discuss:

• The difference between a real plateau and a perceived one

• 6 questions to ask yourself to confirm if you’re actually stuck

• Why living in a calorie deficit too long can stall your progress

• The four macro counting phases you need to cycle through

• How strength training and progressive overload move the needle

• Why walking more can be a game-changer for fat loss

• How recovery (not more hustle) might be the secret you’re missing

• The power of loosening your grip and focusing on joy over pressure

• Resources to help: Macro Counting Made Simple + Movement With Julie

Episodes Mentioned:

Episode 529: Do You Actually Need 10K Steps a Day?

Episode 13: How Much Weight Should I be Lifting?

If you're here, you’re probably someone who wants to feel strong, confident, and healthy. But let’s be real—most of us have had those moments where we step on the scale, see a number we don’t like, and let it ruin our entire day. And if you’ve ever felt like your progress is tied to that number, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re breaking down why consistency is a million times more important than whatever the scale says. And more importantly, I’m going to give you five mindset shifts that will help you break free from that frustrating scale obsession.

And if you need more help staying consistent, check out episode 403: The Ultimate Guide to Being Consistent in 2024

https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/the-ultimate-guide-to-being-consistent-in-2024 

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Today, we are diving into a topic I haven’t talked about much lately: Body Image. I know this is a topic that we need to continue to come back to time and time again as SO many of us struggle with it. And honestly, for many of us, it’s something we’re going to constantly have to work on and that’s okay!

So if you have been looking in the mirror and felt less than, if you’ve been picking apart your body instead of appreciating it, or if you’ve been thinking, “I’ll feel better when I lose five pounds,” this episode is for YOU.

What I discuss:

1. The mirror is not reality – Your perception is distorted by emotions. AND you need to stop body checking.

2. Rewrite the narrative of your “flaws” – Your body is not an object, it’s an experience.

3. Social media is warping your perception – Unfollow anything that makes you feel “less than.”

4. Stop using your body as a before and after – You are so much more than a number on a scale.

5. Your body is the least interesting thing about you – Who you ARE is what people truly love.

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

You’ve probably heard that 10,000 steps a day is the magic number for health and fitness. But… is that actually true, or is it just another arbitrary goal that the internet ran with? 

If you’ve ever stressed about hitting your steps or felt like you’re failing if you don’t reach 10K, this episode is for you. 

What I discuss:

• Whether 10,000 steps a day is really necessary

• How to sneak in more movement without even thinking about it

• Easy ways to increase your daily steps (even if you sit a lot!)

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love 418: 3 Reasons Why Walking More Leads to More Fat Loss

https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/3-reasons-why-walking-more-leads-to-more-fat-loss

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

You know that feeling when you scroll through fitness advice online and suddenly feel like you’re doing everything wrong? One person says you have to chug a protein shake right after your workout, another says you must eat carbs before training or your workout is useless, and then there’s that whole debate about whether you should eat less the day after going over your macros. It’s a LOT.

But today, we’re breaking it all down and keeping it real. Because the truth is—meal timing isn’t as rigid as social media makes it seem. In this episode, we’re diving into three BIG questions I know so many of you have:

What I discuss:

1. You do not need to slam protein after your workout. It’s about how much protein you eat daily, not about how much you eat after working out.

2. You do not need to fuel before workouts if you’re not hungry. Listen to your body and give it what it needs. 

3. If you go over your macros, don’t make it up for it the next day, just try to hit your macros tomorrow. 

If you don’t know what your macros should be, I got you, sister. Head over to macrocountingmadesimple.com for the ULTIMATE macro counting guide. 

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Hey, hey! If you’re a new mom, I know how much you’re carrying right now. The exhaustion, the endless to-do list, the constant feeling that no matter what you do, it’s never enough.

But I need you to know this: prioritizing your body is not selfish—it’s survival. It’s not about “getting your body back” or bouncing back—it’s about feeling good in your body now, so you can show up as the strongest, happiest version of yourself.

So today, we’re tackling five mindset shifts to overcome the guilt of prioritizing movement as a new mom. 

What I discuss:

1. Your baby needs a mom who feels good—not just a mom who’s physically present 24/7.

2. You are not losing time by working out—you’re buying it back with more energy, patience, and ease.

3. Movement doesn’t have to be alone time—you can integrate it into your day, guilt-free.

4. Movement is not a reward—it’s a basic need. Your body deserves it.

5. You don’t have to do it perfectly. Showing up imperfectly is still progress.

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love… Episode 491: 6 Steps to Embrace your Postpartum Body

https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/6-steps-to-embrace-your-postpartum-body 

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Hey, hey, sister! Today, we’re talking about how to find time to work out when life feels absolutely crazy.

Now, if you’re new here or haven’t joined yet, Movement with Julie is my workout app designed to help you feel strong, confident, and capable in your body. And when you join, you also get access to our amazing private Facebook group, where women connect, share their wins, struggles, and ask questions. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the program because the support in there is unreal!

​​Alright, let’s get into it: how do you actually make time for workouts when life is already full to the brim? Here’s what the women inside Movement with Julie had to say…

What I discuss:

1. Delegate or delete – Remove something to make room for workouts.

2. Wake up at 5 AM – It’s hard at first, but it gets easier and ensures you get it done.

3. Stack it with other tasks – Find ways to combine movement with daily life.

4. Use your lunch break – If possible, work out midday when kids are at school.

5. Move during kids’ activities – Walk laps, do bodyweight exercises, and use whatever space you have.

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love Episode 339: How to become a “morning person” with your workouts…

https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/how-to-become-a-morning-person-with-your-workouts

And if you want workouts that fit YOUR life and a community of women who truly support each other, check out Movement with Julie! Head to sale.movementwithjulie.com to start!

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Hey, mama! In today’s episode, I’m sharing five super simple ways to stay hydrated without making it feel like just another thing on your already long to-do list. Hydration is key to keeping your energy up and supporting your body’s recovery, especially if you’re breastfeeding. This episode is all about small habits that make a BIG difference.

Remember, self-care is a MUST, not a luxury. And I’m here to remind you how strong you are. Plus, we’ll talk about some must-do self-care habits for your first three months postpartum you can’t miss so… let’s get it, let’s go!

If you loved this episode, you’ll also love Episode 488: My Non-negotiables For Self-Care During The First 3 Months Postpartum https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/my-non-negotiables-for-self-care-during-the-first-3-months-postpartum

What I discuss:

• Making hydration a natural part of your daily routine 

• 5 simple ways to stay hydrated everyday

• Self-care Tips for postpartum mamas 

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page

Alright, girl, let’s ditch the whole “good” vs. “bad” food drama! In this episode of Embrace Your Real, I’m talking about nutrient-dense vs. non-nutrient-dense foods, and how to make eating choices that actually feel good and don’t leave you guilty. Ice cream? Yes, please! Chips? You bet! Balance is the vibe, girl.

We’re also diving into macro counting (it’s way easier than it sounds, promise!), so you can focus on balance instead of being perfect. I’ll tell you all about Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy, where you can learn to enjoy both healthy and indulgent foods without stressing. 

What I discuss:

• Bye-bye, “good” vs. “bad” food labels!

• Balance is the secret…

• Macro Counting Made Simple Online Academy.

• Why Macro Counting is the real solution.

Oh, and if you’re curious about macro counting, check out Episode 313: 8 Reasons Why Macro Counting Isn’t a Fad Diet

https://www.juliealedbetter.com/embrace-your-real/8-reasons-why-macro-counting-isnt-a-fad-diet

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

Get my eBook: FREE Macro Counting Ebook

Amazon Storefront: Julie Ledbetter's Amazon Page