What I Wish I Knew Sooner: 18 Nutrition & Fitness Lessons

by

Over a decade ago I went from doing everything “right” but feeling stuck… to getting stronger, leaner, and actually feeling in control of my body again. It’s been a JOURNEY.

And it’s exactly why I’m so passionate about coaching—so you can skip the mistakes I made and go straight to what actually works.

Here are 18 lessons I wish someone had told me sooner about training, nutrition, and metabolism in midlife…

Training & Strength
1- More isn’t better—better is better. If you’re working out hard but not seeing results, it’s time to train smarter, not harder.

2- Stop chasing exhaustion—start chasing strength. If your workouts just leave you tired and sore but not actually stronger, they aren’t serving you.

3- Progressive overload is the key to muscle and metabolism. If you’re not tracking your lifts and increasing weight or reps over time, you’re maintaining, not progressing.

4- You don’t need more workouts—you need better recovery. Overtraining and under-recovering will stall your progress faster than anything. Trust me on this one.

5- Muscle is the ultimate metabolism booster. The more lean muscle you have, the better your metabolism functions—especially as you hit 40+.

Nutrition & Metabolism
6- Eating more strategically (not less) leads to better results. If you’re still stuck in the “eat less, move more” mindset, it’s time to shift your approach.

7- Protein is your best friend. If you’re not prioritizing protein at every meal, you’re making body recomposition much harder than it needs to be.

8- You probably need to track macros to see what you’re actually consuming. Awareness precedes change. You can’t change what you don’t know.

9- Diets aren’t the problem—sustainability is. The best nutrition plan is the one you can stick to long term. If it feels like a punishment, it won’t last.

10- Your metabolism isn’t broken, but it does need support. Chronic stress, under-eating, and over-exercising all slow your progress.

Recovery & Stress Management
11- If you’re not sleeping, you’re not recovering. Poor sleep can wreck hormones, increase cravings, and slow down fat loss—even if everything else is dialed in.

12- Your body doesn’t change in the gym—it changes during recovery. If you’re constantly under-recovered, your body won’t build muscle or burn fat efficiently.

13- Cortisol management is key. If you’re always stressed, your body holds onto fat and struggles to build muscle, no matter how well you train or eat.

Mindset & Sustainability
14- Stop trying to “do it all.” Instead of chasing perfection, focus on the minimum effective dose that gets you results without burnout.

15- The data doesn’t lie. Strength, energy levels, progress photos, and how your clothes fit can be better indicators of success than just the scale.

16- Stop making exceptions for yourself. If you keep waiting for the “perfect time” to start, you’ll always be stuck in the same cycle.

17- Your body is capable of more than you think—but only if you give it what it needs. Fuel it, challenge it, and let it recover.

18- Build a system, not just a goal. The people who see long-term success have a structure that makes progress automatic, not a constant struggle.

PS: If you’re tired of the guesswork and want a clear, structured plan that actually works… and still allows you to eat chocolate, I got you.

Apply for Coaching below.

Schedule a Discovery Call to discuss your goals + my programs.

Let’s see if you are a good fit!

Recent Posts

Measure the Failure

Measure the Failure

I want you to do something for me that will feel incredibly uncomfortable. However, it will also significantly help...

read more
Grocery guide with Abby's nutrition coaching

FREE Grocery Guide

Need help figuring out what items to get at your next trip to the store? This guide gives you the scoop on all of my food staples in line with my nutrition philosophies.

Healthy meal guide with Abby's nutrition coaching

FREE Meal Guide

Do you have trouble coming up with healthy meal ideas and planning your meals for the week? This guide makes it easy with meal suggestions for each time of the day!

Healthy meal guide with Abby's nutrition coaching

Abby's FREE Guidebook

Want to lose fat, gain muscle, and improve body composition? This guide will help you look + feel your best! Learn how to calculate your diet for maintenance, cut or bulk!