Wellness Update: What I’ve Changed Since My Last Roundup (Part 1)
And the products that are actually worthwhile for my skin and body at 37!
A few weeks ago, I shared the wellness products and habits I had recently started incorporating into my routine. Since then, so many of you have asked if I’m still using them, whether they’ve actually made a difference, and what I’ve changed along the way.
One thing I’ve realized is that wellness isn’t about finding the next miracle supplement or skincare product. It’s about paying attention to YOUR body, collecting information, and making small adjustments over time. We all jump on supplements thinking they’re going to heal us but we have no idea what our specifics bodies need to heal.
Over the past few months, I’ve been on a hunt to figure out what I personally need.
Between wearing my Oura Ring every day, completing my Viome testing, simplifying my skincare routine, and focusing more on recovery than ever before, I’ve learned so much about what works for my body.
Here’s an honest update.
Listening to My Body Instead of Guessing
One of the biggest shifts I’ve made is relying less on trends and more on actual data.
I’ve worn my Oura Ring consistently over the past 2 months, and it’s been pretty cool seeing how my body responds to different things and how STRESSED I am! That was mind blowing…But now as a result, instead of obsessing over how hard I can push myself, I’m paying much more attention to recovery, sleep quality, resting heart rate, stress, and readiness.
I’ve learned that when my body is asking for recovery, I feel so much better when I actually listen. I also love that it tracks my actual steps and reminds me to go for a quick walk to get my calorie burn goal for the day if I haven’t met it yet. It’s like my own personal health assistant.
My Viome Results
One of the things I was most excited to do was complete my Viome test.
I wanted personalized recommendations instead of generic advice. I love that some of it reiterated previous symptoms and findings and I also got some new advice and recommendations to try.
Once you sign up for this they send you a test kit. You collect saliva, stool and a few drops of blood (this one was tricky for more but I did it!) and send it back for testing. Your results arrive on their app with full details on diet and lifestyle recommendations and supplements you should order that are completely custom-made and tailored to your exact needs. My supplements arrived and I’ve been taking them for the past week or so. Will retest bloodwork in a few months to see if there are any noticeable differences.
I think it’s so cool knowing exactly what is going to help your body and what can be causing problems. Even if you think leafy greens for example are good for you, it might not be for everyone if you working through something. This lets you know how to heal YOUR body naturally.
Based on my results, I’m now focusing on foods that don’t spike my blood sugar and focusing on eating more of:
aloe vera juice for digestion and watermelon for good blood sugar response and gut microbiome diversity — Great recipe below using watermelon!
arugula and Brazil nuts for mitochondria support
lentils/legumes for ammonia production pathways
more water and overall hydration
taking my Shore Magic collagen powder religiously for overall health and hair growth/strength
once my customized supplements arrive from Viome I will be taking those religiously and giving my body everything it needs.
And temporarily limiting:
• gluten for inflammation and immune system clearing (how the heck am I going to Italy in a month??)
• peppers and tomatoes to clear a plant virus I supposedly have. Who knew?
• seaweed as it’s a thyroid disruptor and apparently not working for me now.
One recommendation that really stood out was trying a gluten-free diet to help reduce inflammation. I’ve been gluten free before and I don’t think it should be too hard for me other than the fact that I’m literally going to the land of pizza and pasta in one month...but I’ve decided to fully commit to it and see how my body responds until we leave for our trip at least.
Another big takeaway was increasing my fiber intake—not through supplements alone, but by intentionally eating more fiber-rich whole foods throughout the day. My digestion has become a major focus, and I’m already noticing positive changes. Chia pudding daily (also adding in basil seeds) is a great way to stay regular!
I’ve also become much more intentional about drinking enough water. It sounds simple, but staying hydrated has made a noticeable difference in how I feel day to day.
It’s amazing how often the biggest improvements come from consistently doing the basics well.
This it not a sponsored post but I just genuinely feel so strongly about discovering what your body needs and how we can best support ourselves as we age. They gave me a link that gives you 20% off if you’re interested in trying it out. I am loving it so much and can’t wait to start taking my supplements when they arrive.
Recovery Has Become Just as Important as Exercise
One thing my Oura Ring reinforced is that recovery deserves just as much attention as movement.
Lately I’ve been making time for sauna sessions several times a week, and they’ve become one of my favorite wellness habits-and bonding time with Mike as it’s a really great 30 minute catch up session.
I originally started because I loved how relaxed I felt afterward (and improved sleep), but it’s quickly become something I genuinely look forward to. It’s also something I was recommended to do more of from the Viome team as it is the BEST way to detoxify your body.
For me, sauna time is a chance to slow down, recover, sweat, and reset—physically and mentally.
Combined with better hydration and improved sleep, it’s become a really important part of my overall routine.
I will share more about my skincare updates and how I face tape (what you all ask about most often!) in next week’s post so be on the lookout for that!
WATERMELON PIZZA
Because I am now gluten free but still need pizza in my life…bring on Watermelon Pizza! This will become your new go-to summer breakfast.
INGREDIENTS
1 round slice of watermelon from a large watermelon 1-inch thick
½ cup thick Greek yogurt Fage 2% works great
¼ cup of your favorite granola
1 teaspoon silan date syrup or maple syrup
10 small basil leaves
10 very small mint leaves
6-10 edible flowers if available
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