Those olives are the best and only olives. And at least the Australian Open is about to begin so you can rest and watch constant tennis?? Loved all of this! Quick and smooth recovery to you <3
Definitely ditch the Apple Watch! I’ve been a slave to it too and I have a history of an ED and OCD, so it’s just really bad for my brain. I honestly think quantifying movement like that isn’t helpful for anyone. I’ve seen a lot of people abuse Apple Watches and get obsessive about closing rings, steps, etc.
Wow, yes, I have a history of both and the Apple Watch has been like pouring gasoline on my ocd thinking. I have to ditch it!! Thank you for sharing. It’s making sense why I’ve leaned on this
Have you been in therapy or worked with a dietitian on your exercise addiction? Even if you think you’re recovered from your ED, exercise addiction is still paralyzing and can be just as damaging as an ED, even if you’re eating enough.
Definitely! Overexercise is so celebrated in our culture. I have worked on exercise and joyful moment with a dietitian because they tend to understand its effects on your body. If you can find a dietitian who works with people with EDs from an Intuitive Eating/Health at Every Size framework, it might be helpful to you. It isn’t an easy process, but I know from experience that overexercise takes over your life and makes you miserable.
Ahhh so sorry about the injury! I very very much relate to panic around not being able to exercise. For all of my 20s and the vast majority of my 30s, anything that interrupted my workouts was a nightmare. FWIW, this year I exercised less than ever and my body didn’t revolt, it actually thanked me with a massive reduction in inflammation. My brain has rewired a bit and I don’t *need* the endorphins to have a good day. Also re:steps, I only use my phone which I don’t have on me 100% of the time so I know the count is always somewhat lower than the actual. Something about that helps me not get crazy about the 10k. Also: yay Ellen Willis!!!
I’m starting 2026 with a terrible cold so I hope both of us can use these rocky starts to remember everything is temporary! May the rest of the year be smoother for us! ❤️❤️
this is amazing to hear!! yes, maybe this is the forced rewiring i need! sorry abt the cold! colds are SO diabolical these days. wishing you a speedy recovery!!
I have to say, I can relate 110% (which, as the saying goes, is how much you should give in competitive sports) to the mindfuck of being in this normal wife/mom body and feeling fully convinced I have what it takes mentally to be a pro athlete 😂 or at least I appreciate now in a way that I never, ever did when my body was young, the mental conditioning needed to play competitive sports.
I did women only taekwondo for a month and I think the evidence was there, for all those women 😆 unfortunately for me, the real limitations of my physical form were also present!
Oh no! I’m sorry! I fractured my big toe at the end of 2024 and it was truly debilitating. I kept making it worse and having it coincide with media apocalypse stress didn’t help. So I feel for you! It’s so hard especially when you’re so active. I did a lot of upper body light weights and modified pilates. Hope you heal quickly and don’t push yourself too early!!
Those olives are the best and only olives. And at least the Australian Open is about to begin so you can rest and watch constant tennis?? Loved all of this! Quick and smooth recovery to you <3
Love reading your no holds bar list and opinions! Sucks about the boot. Lucky for us it means more Kara in our inboxes!
lol, I have even saltier opinions!
Can’t wait!
Definitely ditch the Apple Watch! I’ve been a slave to it too and I have a history of an ED and OCD, so it’s just really bad for my brain. I honestly think quantifying movement like that isn’t helpful for anyone. I’ve seen a lot of people abuse Apple Watches and get obsessive about closing rings, steps, etc.
Wow, yes, I have a history of both and the Apple Watch has been like pouring gasoline on my ocd thinking. I have to ditch it!! Thank you for sharing. It’s making sense why I’ve leaned on this
Have you been in therapy or worked with a dietitian on your exercise addiction? Even if you think you’re recovered from your ED, exercise addiction is still paralyzing and can be just as damaging as an ED, even if you’re eating enough.
yes, lots of therapy. but it's hard to get some to take exercise addiction seriously. I've found anyway. And never thought about a dietitian!
Definitely! Overexercise is so celebrated in our culture. I have worked on exercise and joyful moment with a dietitian because they tend to understand its effects on your body. If you can find a dietitian who works with people with EDs from an Intuitive Eating/Health at Every Size framework, it might be helpful to you. It isn’t an easy process, but I know from experience that overexercise takes over your life and makes you miserable.
Ahhh so sorry about the injury! I very very much relate to panic around not being able to exercise. For all of my 20s and the vast majority of my 30s, anything that interrupted my workouts was a nightmare. FWIW, this year I exercised less than ever and my body didn’t revolt, it actually thanked me with a massive reduction in inflammation. My brain has rewired a bit and I don’t *need* the endorphins to have a good day. Also re:steps, I only use my phone which I don’t have on me 100% of the time so I know the count is always somewhat lower than the actual. Something about that helps me not get crazy about the 10k. Also: yay Ellen Willis!!!
I’m starting 2026 with a terrible cold so I hope both of us can use these rocky starts to remember everything is temporary! May the rest of the year be smoother for us! ❤️❤️
this is amazing to hear!! yes, maybe this is the forced rewiring i need! sorry abt the cold! colds are SO diabolical these days. wishing you a speedy recovery!!
I have to say, I can relate 110% (which, as the saying goes, is how much you should give in competitive sports) to the mindfuck of being in this normal wife/mom body and feeling fully convinced I have what it takes mentally to be a pro athlete 😂 or at least I appreciate now in a way that I never, ever did when my body was young, the mental conditioning needed to play competitive sports.
Here’s to a speedy recovery for you 🙌
right?? I swear, I GET it now!! we need more intramural teams for moms/middle aged people or something.
I did women only taekwondo for a month and I think the evidence was there, for all those women 😆 unfortunately for me, the real limitations of my physical form were also present!
Happy new year and wishing you a smooth recovery!
Ellen Willis is the best!
Oh no! I’m sorry! I fractured my big toe at the end of 2024 and it was truly debilitating. I kept making it worse and having it coincide with media apocalypse stress didn’t help. So I feel for you! It’s so hard especially when you’re so active. I did a lot of upper body light weights and modified pilates. Hope you heal quickly and don’t push yourself too early!!
oh gosh, sorry to hear abt your toe and hopefully you’re all recovered. I’m trying to not push, so difficult!!
It’s been over a year so I’m fine now but don’t make it worse like I did and prolong it. It’s hard especially in NYC!!
I love when your substack pops into my inbox! I hope your injuries heals quickly!!!
thank you!