At the start of the year, everything feels possible.
Fresh intentions. Clear plans. A quiet promise that this will be the year health finally feels easier.
And then life returns.
Back to work. Back to school routines. Full calendars. Emails. Responsibilities stacking up again. Suddenly it’s mid-month and many of the people I speak to say the same thing:
“The year is already flying… and I feel like I’m struggling to keep up.”
What matters here is this:
a drop in motivation is not a personal failing. It’s a physiological response.
When the nervous system is under pressure, the body shifts into survival mode. Energy is redirected away from higher functions like motivation, focus, creativity and planning — and toward simply getting through the day.
This isn’t a mindset issue.
It’s biology.
Chronic stress depletes key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin
-the very chemicals that help us feel motivated, hopeful and capable. Blood sugar becomes less stable. Gut function becomes less efficient. Nutrient absorption declines. Sleep quality often suffers.
So when the thought arises:
“Why can’t I just do what I said I would?”
The answer is often not discipline. It’s depletion.
This pattern appears every year. People begin January genuinely committed to feeling better, but as the demands of real life resume, their internal reserves simply aren’t there to support those intentions.
Motivation doesn’t disappear under pressure because someone is weak. It disappears because the body has been asked to give more than it has available.
And when the body is depleted, willpower becomes unreliable.
Motivation returns when the body feels supported — not when it’s pushed harder.
When blood sugar steadies, the nervous system settles, the gut begins to repair and nutrients are replenished, something shifts.
Energy comes back online.
Clarity improves.
And sustainable motivation follows naturally.
This is why I’ve never believed in “just push through” health advice.
It overlooks the intelligence of the body and the cumulative impact of stress, responsibility and modern life.
If this resonates, know this:
You’re not behind. You haven’t failed your January intentions.
Your body is simply asking for a different starting point.
One based on restoration rather than pressure. Support rather than self-criticism. Structure rather than overwhelm.
Sometimes guidance matters — not because you can’t do it alone, but because the body heals best when it feels safe.
Take a breath.
You’re not running out of time.
You’re learning how to listen.
If you’re reading this and recognising yourself, know that there is a way to rebuild energy without pushing harder.
This is exactly why I created the Back to Balance Gut Repair Method — a structured, step-by-step way to restore gut health, calm the nervous system and replenish what stress has quietly depleted.
It’s not about willpower. It’s about supporting the body in the right order.
If you feel ready for guidance, you can learn from this video here:
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
