Personalization is the Point

Hi Friends,

Is it just me, or is everyone talking about carbohydrates lately? Or, more specifically, about limiting them in favor of protein?

I’ve been hearing about carbs everywhere—with clients, with friends, and, if I’m honest, in my own head.

There is so much fear around carbohydrates right now that it can be easy to forget something important:

Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all.

Yes, there are situations where reducing carbohydrate intake may be an appropriate strategy, particularly when someone is working on blood glucose regulation or insulin resistance.

But that doesn’t make carbohydrates inherently “bad,” nor does it mean eating fewer of them is the right strategy for everyone, all the time.

And this is where I think personalization becomes so important.

Personalization to your body, mind and life

The plan that works beautifully for your friend may not work beautifully for you.

Neither does the plan promoted by an influencer, the latest wellness trend, or whatever happens to be working for the general public.

Our biology is individual. Our mental health is individual. Our lifestyles are individual.

One person may thrive with more carbohydrates—and there are good physiological reasons why. Carbohydrates provide readily available energy, help fuel intense exercise, and, when they come from fiber- and resistant-starch-rich foods, provide important fuel for our gut microbes. Adequate carbohydrate and overall energy intake can also support recovery and a healthy stress response. And in a balanced diet, carbohydrates can absolutely contribute to satiety and make food more satisfying.

The amount and type that works best, however, will vary from person to person.

The common denominator of wellness isn’t necessarily a low-carb diet.

It is often adequacy, consistency and sustainability.

Personalization to yourself

There is another layer of personalization that we sometimes overlook:

You don’t have to keep doing what used to work for you.

Who I was and what worked for me at 20 is different from what works for me now.

And what works for me now may not be what I need a year from now.

Sometimes personalization happens across decades. Sometimes across seasons. And sometimes from week to week.

My training is a good example.

I might spend several weeks focused on progressive overload and getting stronger. Then I may intentionally take a deload period and put more emphasis on yoga, mobility, cardiovascular endurance, recovery—or simply enjoying movement.

That isn’t inconsistency.

That’s personalization.

And it happens with food, too. In the summer, we may naturally gravitate toward berries, salads and seasonal vegetables. In the winter, we might crave soups, squash and warmer, more comforting meals.

The seasonality of our lives is reflected in nature. Or perhaps it’s the other way around.

Our needs change. Our capacity changes. Our goals change. Our lives change.

Adjusting the plan accordingly isn’t “falling off.” It can actually be a sign that you’re paying attention.

Personalization to your goals

Finally, I think we need to get clearer about why we’re doing what we’re doing.

Sometimes we inherit goals without ever consciously choosing them.

We think we’re supposed to be thinner.

We’re supposed to eat more salads.

We’re supposed to do the trendy workout.

We’re supposed to weigh a certain number.

None of those things are inherently wrong. But they may not be the goal that actually matters to you.

This is where introspection comes in.

Physical wellness without meaning is incomplete.

What if your goal is to get stronger?

Last year, I shared my journey toward doing 10 pull-ups. That was a goal I genuinely enjoyed working toward.

What if your goal is improving your health markers?

That might mean prioritizing recovery, eating more nutrient-dense foods, increasing fiber-rich plants or reducing your intake of highly processed foods.

What if your goal is more energy? Better cardiovascular fitness? Healthy aging? More time outside? Or simply enjoying movement again?

Those goals may lead us toward very different strategies.

The goal should inform the strategy, and your personal values should inform the goal.

Nobody but you gets to decide what matters to you or what you ought to strive for.

That is the beauty of personalization.

Your body isn’t a trend.

Your life isn’t a template.

And you don’t need to copy someone else’s version of wellness to create your own.

Personalization isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the point.

With you on the journey,
Molly