I’ve been obsessed with working out since my early 20s—spin class, barre, yoga, HIIT, hiking the Grouse Grind, you name it.
Like many women, I thought I was doing everything right.
👉 Early morning workouts (I’m often training by 5:00 AM)
👉 Sweating it out fasted (because, you know… fat burning 🙄)
👉 Avoiding heavy weights (because I didn’t want to look bulky)
But then I came across the work of Dr. Stacy Sims, a leading exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist focused on female performance. Her message?
“Women are not small men.”
And suddenly, it all clicked.
Here’s what I learned (and what might surprise you too):
🍌 You need to fuel before your workout
Working out on an empty stomach? It’s not serving you—especially as a woman.
Fasted training spikes cortisol (your stress hormone), which can lead to muscle breakdown, hormone imbalance, poor recovery, and even fat storage over time.
I used to think skipping food made my workouts more effective. But it turns out, fueling your body helps it perform and recover better. A banana and nut butter or a slice of toast with avocado goes a long way.
🏋🏽♀️ Lifting heavy weights won’t make you bulky
This fear held me back for years. But Dr. Sims explains that lifting heavy is essential for women to build lean muscle, support bone density, and regulate hormones—especially as we age.
And guess what? Building visible muscle takes a LOT more than just lifting a 20 lb dumbbell a few times a week.
What lifting does do? It boosts metabolism, enhances longevity, and makes you feel powerful 💪
👯♀️ Women’s bodies need different training strategies
From your menstrual cycle to perimenopause, your hormones affect your recovery, energy, and strength gains.
Dr. Sims encourages women to train in alignment with their physiology—not ignore it.
What this means for you
If you’re dragging through your workouts…
Not seeing results…
Constantly sore or fatigued…
You might not need to work harder. You might need to work smarter.
Fuel your body. Lift heavy. Listen to your hormones. And most of all—ditch the one-size-fits-all approach.
The confidence-fitness connection ❤️
When I ask my clients what they need to feel more confident, a common answer is:
“I want to work out more consistently.”
And they’re right to make that connection.
Regular physical activity doesn’t just change your body—it rewires your brain 🧠
✅ It boosts endorphins and dopamine—aka the feel-good chemicals
✅ It helps you sleep better and manage stress
✅ It gives you a sense of control, strength, and momentum
✅ It makes you feel proud, capable, and resilient
Confidence grows through action, and exercise is one of the most empowering forms of action you can take.
Not because of how it makes you look. But because of how it makes you feel.
Want to feel strong, confident, and energized again?
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I support ambitious women—especially in tech—to take care of their bodies and their goals with science-backed strategies that work for women.
📅 Book your free Clarity Call and let’s talk about how to reset your routines so you feel strong, not depleted
Lots of love,
-Anna
