Stop Using “Balance” as an Excuse: It’s Time to Set a New Standard for Your Health
We hear it all the time on social media: “It’s all about balance.” And on the surface, that sounds reasonable. No one wants to feel restricted, isolated, or like they have to say no to every social event. But what I see happening more often than not is this—people are using balance as a way to justify unhealthy choices on a daily basis, and it’s leading them further away from the life and body they truly want.
The 80/20 rule is thrown around a lot in the wellness world. The idea is that if you’re making healthy choices 80% of the time, there’s room for flexibility in the other 20%. Sounds great in theory, right? But here’s the truth: Most people aren’t living 80/20. They’re living 20/80.
Let’s put some real numbers behind this.
Metabolic health matters.
Over 93% of women in the U.S. have some form of metabolic dysfunction—insulin resistance, poor blood sugar regulation, or excess visceral fat. This isn’t just about appearance—this is about energy, hormone balance, inflammation, and long-term disease risk. It starts with daily habits, not genetics.
Alcohol isn’t “no big deal.”
One “standard” serving of alcohol (5 oz wine, 1.5 oz liquor, or 12 oz beer) can take up to 4 days for your body to fully metabolize and recover from. That’s one drink (which let’s be honest, no one is only having the small amount I listed above) affecting your sleep quality, blood sugar, liver detox, and fat metabolism for the better part of a week. Yet, it’s become normal to drink multiple times a week—while still saying we “eat clean.”
Sleep isn’t optional.
Getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night has been shown to significantly slow metabolism, increase cravings, reduce insulin sensitivity, and disrupt hormone regulation. You can eat all the organic greens in the world—but if you’re not sleeping, your body is in constant survival mode.
Ultra-processed foods aren’t just junk—they’re destructive.
Studies link high intake of ultra-processed foods with increased risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and so many other health issues. These foods hijack your hunger hormones and contribute to chronic inflammation. Sugar and seed oils are two of the biggest culprits—and they’re everywhere.
So no, this isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about saying no to every invite, skipping every treat, or living in a bubble. It’s about having standards—for yourself and your family. It’s about saying: This is how we live because our health matters. Because we want to feel good. Because we deserve better.
When there’s truly no other option, we adapt. But let’s stop pretending we don’t have a choice the other 95% of the time. I never miss a birthday dinner or even act like I am bummed when I have to eat those things because I do live in the real world. I ask for my food to be cooked in real butter or olive oil at restaurants (yes, I pay extra for this). I hate to be the barer of a dose of reality, but many of you are sabotaging your own goals without even realizing it by using “bAlAnCe” every day.
This is your wake-up call. Not to do everything at once—but to take one intentional step at a time. Clean out your pantry. Commit to 4 nights of quality sleep. Swap one processed item for a whole food version. These are the decisions that shift your life.
Meet yourself where you are. Make a plan. Set next week up just one step better.
If you’re ready to stop making excuses and start building the life you dream of—for yourself and your family—I’m here to help. Let’s work together to create a lifestyle rooted in energy, vitality, and aligned living.
Reach out to connect, and let’s unleash the power of living your dream life—one aligned decision at a time.