Have you ever felt guilty for skipping a workout or eating something “off-plan”? Maybe you went on vacation, told yourself you’d fully enjoy it, but still felt guilt creeping in afterward.
This guilt you’re feeling is likely caused by tension between your true values and the “shoulds” you’ve placed on yourself. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to identify your core health and fitness values, how guilt can actually be a helpful tool(and when it’s not), and how to let go of the fitness rules that aren’t serving you.
Why We Feel Guilt in Our Health and Fitness Journey
Guilt often stems from feeling like we’re not meeting an expectation—either from ourselves or others. But not all guilt is bad! In fact, it can sometimes be a useful guide to help us align with our true priorities.
The key is learning to recognize when guilt is a signal that we’ve acted out of alignment with our true values vs. when it’s just coming from a societal or self-imposed “should.”
For example:
✅ Helpful Guilt → You had a goal to prioritize your health during a busy season but ignored your plan completely. That guilt is a reminder to stay committed next time.
🚫 Unhelpful Guilt → You took a well-deserved vacation, fully intended to enjoy yourself, but then felt guilty afterward—even though relaxation was your true priority.
True Values vs. “Shoulds” in Health & Fitness
A true value is something that genuinely matters to you—not just something you feel you should do because of diet culture, social media, or other external pressures.
Examples of true values in health and fitness:
“I want to feel strong and energetic so I can keep up with my kids.”
“I want to be present and make memories without food being the focus.”
“I want to prioritize my health so I can enjoy life as I age.”
Examples of “shoulds” that might be dictating your choices:
“I should work out 6 days a week to be successful.”
“I should never eat sugar if I want to lose weight.”
“I should meal prep every single week or else I’ll fail.”
How to Stop Feeling Guilty for Skipping a Workout or Eating “Off-Plan”
Now that you know the difference between a true value and a “should,” here’s how to start making peace with your choices:
Reframe your mindset around guilt. When you feel guilt creeping in, ask yourself:
“Is this guilt coming from a true value or a ‘should’?”
“Did I actually act against something important to me, or am I just following an old belief?
Challenge and let go of “should” guilt. If it’s not serving you, it’s time to drop it.
Final Thoughts: Align Your Health Journey With What Truly Matters
The next time you feel guilt about a health or fitness choice, take a step back and ask yourself if you’re really acting out of alignment with your core values—or if you’re just holding onto a “should” that’s not serving you.
Your fitness journey should support your life, not control it. When you let go of unnecessary guilt, you’ll find it so much easier to stay consistent and feel good about your choices.
What’s one “should” you’re letting go of today? Let me know in the comments!
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