Before You Set a January Goal… Ask Your Gut This Question

Every January, I see the same thing happen in myself and every woman I know.

Women sit down with the best intentions and a fresh notebook. New goals. New plans. New self-imposed rules.

Usually something along the lines of “I need to eat better,” “I need to lose weight,” or “I need to avoid all carbs.” I have done this myself pretty much every year since 7th grade.

Before you do any of that this year, I want you to pause and ask your gut one simple question:

Does what I’m eating make me feel calm, energized, and satisfied… or bloated, tired, and regretful?

This isn’t a trick question. And it’s definitely not about judging yourself.

It’s about becoming aware of how food affects your body.

The Question Your Gut Has Been Asking All Along

Most women were never taught to listen to their bodies. We were taught to follow rules, count calories, avoid entire groups of food, like anything with fat. We push through discomfort and take care of everyone else before ourselves. When your stomach feels off, you assume you need more discipline, if you even acknowledge the feeling in the first place. When your energy crashes, you assume you’re doing something wrong and reach for a caffeinated sugar bomb from Starbucks. When you are stressed out or tired, you reach for comfort in the form of food that your body doesn’t necessarily need or want. When weight loss feels hard, you blame yourself.

But your gut has been giving you feedback the entire time.

Not in words — but in how you feel after you eat.

Why Awareness Comes Before Restriction

Restriction is loud. It’s unsustainable. It drowns out your body’s signals.

Awareness is quiet, but powerful.

When you slow down enough to notice how food actually makes you feel, patterns start to emerge. You learn what supports you and what doesn’t — without labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”

You can’t fix what you haven’t noticed.

And you don’t need another plan if you haven’t listened yet.

What “Calm, Energized, and Satisfied” Really Feels Like

A supportive meal doesn’t leave you stuffed or sluggish or leave you feeling hungry again two hours later (looking at you, Whataburger!).

It doesn’t trigger guilt or the urge to keep snacking.

Instead, it feels steady.

You’re comfortably full.

Your energy doesn’t crash.

Your stomach feels settled, not tight or bloated.

On the other hand, bloating, fatigue, reflux, or regret aren’t signs you failed.

They’re information.

Your body is simply telling you, “That didn’t work for me.”

A Gentle Way to Practice Awareness This January

This isn’t about changing everything at once. Start small.

Eat one meal a day without distractions — no phone, no TV, no working at your desk.

Start by asking yourself, “Why am I eating?”

Halfway through your meal, pause and ask, “How does my body feel right now?”

Notice how you feel 30–60 minutes after eating, not just immediately after. Check in on your energy level a couple of hours after your meal.

That’s it. No rules. No counting calories or tracking macros. Just gathering information.

How This Changes Weight Loss (Without Trying Harder)

When digestion improves, cravings often soften.

When meals feel satisfying, overeating becomes less tempting.

When your gut feels calm without inflammation, your body is more willing to release weight.

When you know why you are eating, you can learn to manage that stress or boredom or emotional eating in a different way.

Weight loss gets easier when your brain and your body feel supported — not controlled.

A Different Kind of January Intention

This year, instead of starting with restriction of calories or food, start with awareness.

Let January be about listening, learning, and rebuilding trust with your body.

You don’t need perfection. You don’t need punishment.

You just need a little curiosity.

Your gut already knows what it needs.

Your only job is to listen.

When you listen to your gut you will learn to give it what it needs to support you, and you will start building health and longevity from the inside out.

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