If you’ve ever made a plan for yourself to move your body more, to take better care of yourself, or to do something that genuinely matters, and then felt frustrated or disappointed when it didn’t happen, this episode is for you.

So often, when our goals don’t stick, we turn that experience inward. We assume we’ve failed, that we’re lazy, unmotivated, or incapable of consistency. But what if the problem isn’t you, or even the plan, but the way we’ve been taught to think about follow-through, structure, and doing it “right”?

In this episode, I’m talking about intuitive eating and intuitive movement through a very real-life lens. I’m sharing personal examples from my own season of motherhood, caregiving, and shifting energy, and unpacking why goals often fall apart when they’re built for perfection rather than for a human life.

We’ll explore how all-or-nothing thinking, self-criticism, and unrealistic expectations can quietly drain motivation, and how building flexibility, backup plans, and compassion can actually help you stay connected to your intentions over time.

This is a grounded, practical conversation about learning to do what works in this season, without shame.

In this episode, you will hear:

• 02:10 – Why having good intentions doesn’t always translate into follow-through
• 04:45 – The gap between the version of you who makes the plan and the version who has to live it
• 06:55 – How all-or-nothing thinking shows up in intuitive eating and movement
• 09:30 – Why most of the distress comes from self-criticism, not the plan falling apart
• 12:15 – Going week-by-week instead of planning for an idealized future version of yourself
• 15:40 – How backup plans prevent burnout and help maintain momentum
• 18:20 – What “no-brainer” movement really looks like in a full, demanding life
• 21:10 – The difference between aspirational habits and reliable ones
• 24:05 – Why flexibility is not lowering the bar — it’s self-respect
• 26:40 – How to gently audit what’s draining your energy without blaming yourself
• 29:10 – Reframing plans as tools, not contracts you’re failing to uphold

If you’d like a gentle, actionable next step, I invite you to take my free Eating Personality Quiz. It can help you better understand how you relate to food, structure, and self-care — and what kind of support actually works for you.

👉 Take the quiz here: https://meredithmackenzie.ca/personality-quiz

And if this episode resonated, I’d love to hear from you. You can send me a message on Instagram and let me know what stood out or what you’re noticing in your own life right now.

Until next time, take care of yourself — and remember that doing what works right now is not giving up. It’s listening.

One Body to Love 10-Week Intuitive Eating Program

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