January Diet Culture
Happy New Year one and all! (Are we still allowed to say that?)
If you’re anything like me, your first day of 2025 was Monday 6th January, and we’re all the better for it. Having those extra few days to take down our decorations, recover from New Year’s Eve antics, and drop a few less-loved gifts down to the charity shop was pretty magical. It reminded me how the traditional concept of ‘New Years Resolutions’ and ‘New Year New Me’ is inherently flawed. If you’re part of The EMPWR Method, you know that everything Bec and I stand for is about gradual behaviour change and 1% improvements every day.
Why? - Because that’s the only thing that actually works!
So why on earth would anyone waste time and energy on huge resolutions from 1st January? We all know better. And those magical 6 days gave us time to truly realise how powerful a ‘soft launch’ of the year is. Opting for a mature, calm approach is a rebellious act. It flies in the face of toxic diet culture that rears its head every January.
Double Trouble! EMPWR Queens Emily and Marina back when it was still warm!
You might have found your inner critic to be extra loud over the last week, telling you that you must cut carbohydrates, do 100k steps per week, or say no to all social plans to achieve your results. I ask you to observe those thoughts without latching on to them. See them as separate from you. And remind yourself that we are educated, confident, and intelligent, and can stay the course of sustainability and self-compassion.
I’d like to take a moment to celebrate Emily Ross, a wonderful member of our community who took the challenges of December in her stride.
At the start of December Emily mentioned on her check in that she was feeling apprehensive about the month ahead.
She didn’t know how she could manage her health and fitness goals alongside a seriously intense job (which requires client lunches in Berners Tavern and team lunches in Nandos!), buzzing social life (hello Friendsmas!) and travelling to Canada with her boyfriend (poutine, anyone?).
We jumped on a call and quickly realised the biggest challenge that Emily was putting on herself, feeling she had to get in 4 exercise sessions per week on top of all this, or she’d fail. Plus - how can she stay on plan with all those work lunches and friend dinners?
So we changed the goal posts.
We adjusted those expectations to align them with the reality of December. And the outcome? Emily’s first check in of 2025 was so powerful.
She had been able to stay incredibly consistent with her training in December, as she never hit the ‘spiral of failure’ that can come from missing 1 or 2 sessions. She had enjoyed meals out, as well as cosy dinners at home, but by implementing our mindful eating practices was able to avoid over-eating and instead gave her body the nourishment it deserved. She had maintained her body weight, felt well rested, and most importantly, buzzing to embark on her 2025 goals!
So let’s look ahead to what we’ve got in store…
THE EMPWR METHOD COMMUNITY EVENTS
Saturday 25th January: Gym Sync Fitness Competition
- 9am at The Yard, Peckham
- Fitness competition open to all levels
- Pairs workout (let us know if you need someone to pair up with!)
£15 per pair To be followed by coffee and croissants at Harriet’s favourite Peckham cafe!
Saturday 8th February: Taylor Swift 5km
- 11:30am at Battersea Park
- 5km Fun Run open to all levels: whether you just want to complete it or are looBook hereking for a 5km PB!
£27.99 per person To be followed by coffee and croissants with Harriet and Bec!
Saturday 21st June: Turf Games
- All Day at Grasshoppers Rugby Club
- 4 x CrossFit workouts spread throughout the day in teams of 5
£100 per person - includes entry plus 3 coached workouts led by Harriet at ONE LDN, Chelsea
As always, just let myself or Bec know if you’ve any questions, want to learn more, or want to get involved! We’d love to see as many of you there as possible.
We have plans for an additional Spring event, if there’s activities you’d like us to organise or any ideas you’ve got please do share them! As you know we love meeting all of you in real life and want to bring as much of that in as possible this year!
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