Someone recently asked me about my health goals, my first Substack subscriber, actually. That simple question made me reflect on what I truly care about and how my idea of wellbeing has evolved. I realized that for me, wellbeing is about balance, energy, and joy, not perfection. It’s about living a lifestyle that feels sustainable and authentic, not one built on comparison or intensity only.
My Fitness Goals & Lifestyle
I value a sustainable lifestyle focused on feeling strong and fit, grounded, and energized. I have cheat days, and that’s part of the plan, it keeps things human. Feeling fit and eating well simply make me feel good, so that’s the lifestyle I choose.
I train four to five times a week. My favorite workout is Muay Thai, but sometimes with my sensitivity, the intense gym energy can drain me. When that happens, I shift toward other priorities or lighter movement, like walking or group fitness classes at the moment. I might even try CrossFit soon as it seems like people really enjoy it.
For me, the main goal is to move in ways I enjoy, because enjoyment keeps me consistent.
My Daily Nutrition
My meals look quite similar to a balanced Dutch-style diet:
Potatoes or sweet potatoes, quinoa, nuts, plenty of veggies and fruits, eggs, oats, whole-grain bread, chicken, fish, salmon, chili sauce (thank you, Thailand!), seeds, yogurt, soy milk light, (brown) rice, papaya salad and healthy pancakes.
I eat a lot of lentils (fe. yellow or green) lately, because they’re filling and surprisingly satisfying. After workouts, I’ll have a protein shake. And yes… I love pancakes, especially when I can make them healthy.
Cooking this way isn’t difficult, it’s actually very basic. Sometimes that feels boring, but it’s also refreshing. Since my meals are light in calories and I train a lot, it’s okay if I eat some chocolate or have a drink now and then. Still, I notice that alcohol really hits my energy levels hard, so it´s good to be careful with that.
Learning Through Unlearning
How did I get here? Well, by simplifying. My food and exercise preferences are easy and sustainable. It wasn’t about adding more or following extreme diets; it was about unlearning what no longer worked for me and sticking to foods that I’m familiar with and that make me feel good, mainly following the Dutch Food Pyramid.
I still have chocolate cravings, but my love for Muay Thai helps keep me balanced. Also, when I’m training, I rarely drink, if at all. Real change comes with awareness and the willingness to act once you recognize what no longer serves you.
I believe you won’t truly change unless you want to, because it takes energy, time, and perseverance. But once you experience how good it feels, it becomes much easier to get back on track whenever you sli
Overcoming Cravings & Addictions
Cravings don’t always stop just because you keep feeding them. I know this from experience as I used to smoke. I was addicted, and every cigarette made me crave the next one.
Eventually, I realized the cigarettes weren’t the real problem, the craving was. When I finally quit, I had already been through this before. I’d stayed smoke-free for months, but one cigarette was all it took to fall right back into the habit.
But five years ago, I stopped for good. I learned that taking “just one” means risking the whole process. Now, smoking doesn’t even cross my mind. I don’t hate it; I just know that life feels so much better without it and worse with it.
With food, however, it’s different. Food requires balance and a relationship. You can’t, and shouldn’t just stop eating the things you love.
For example, chocolate isn’t bad for you; too much chocolate is. So instead of cutting it out completely, I believe it’s about building a healthier relationship with it, not ending it altogether.
Respecting Different Fitness Journeys
The wellbeing industry has always been popular and probably always will be.
I never expected to find myself training alongside top athletes and even a few bodybuilders. Yet, I’ve realized that many people’s version of “wellbeing” can differ from each other and that’s completely fine. Just find yours.
When I’m skipping, for example, I might look like an ADHD-fueled bouncing ball, just me, without the actual ball. Some people in the gym seem annoyed, as if I’m showing off. But the loudest critics are often those struggling with insecurity and what helps is letting go of comparison.
There’s no way I’ll ever compete with a bodybuilder and I don’t want to. We have completely different goals. That realization feels freeing. I don’t have to feel intimidated, “less than,” or out of place just because someone lives differently.
At the same time, I feel deeply inspired by professional Muay Thai fighters. Their discipline and life experience carry a kind of wisdom that fascinates me. I’ll never be like them, but I love being around that energy, it teaches me humility and reminds me that real strength can be quiet to.
Redefining What “Belonging” Means
Are there people in the gym more experienced or thinner than me? Probably. Does that mean I don’t belong there? I don’t think so.
I’ve learned that feeling welcome or finding an environment that accepts differences matters deeply to me. And if that’s not respected, it’s probably time to find a place where it is, because that’s where I’ll feel most at ease.
I’m ambitious because I enjoy growing and I want to stay fit. That’s my direction. What’s yours?
