We are within “the statute of limitations” so happy new year friends and followers! I gave myself a chance to reflect on 2023. When it boils down to it, building a better relationship with myself — read: my body AND brain — allowed me to:
Pull the plug on a race (a DNS). I “could have” ran it? Yes. But my body was screaming for a break and in this house, we don’t push through. Instead, we do the real exercise by pausing so we can thrive.
Hold a wedding process free from diet culture (and honestly, bridal culture) bullshit.
Participate in a few photoshoots that had me LOLing at my awkward self
Get on a flight to Cali to meet the team I am blessed to represent aka Brooks Running 🏃🏽♀️
Hit a marathon personal record.
Run 1400 miles (this is an estimate, based on the times I remembered to turn on Strava).
Coach 750 classes (this is an estimate, I don’t count).
Fill up my private coaching roster (this is real).
Interview with nine podcasts (see above).
Read 43!!! books this year (bless you, Goodreads).
Adventure off to Morocco to spend time with the person who deserves to celebrate her excellence this year despite the world feeling like it was on fire (it me)
AND there were days and months where I came home from work, a run, or an event and couldn’t be anywhere but the floor, flat on my back, just lying in my own shit. Both personal and professional challenges — I was low! But I am never one to sit in shit for too long.
If it ain’t a win, it’s a lesson.
As we enter a time of what feels like a headache (otherwise known as the resolution era), let’s not shy away from celebrating every single thing. The cute, the ugly. The doing.
Most importantly, the being.
Welcome to a (tough) love note, a newsletter by Amanda Katz (me), a fitness professional and fellow human. It’s about fitness and it’s not about fitness. If you like this newsletter, let me know. If you don’t, bye! For realsies, tag or DM me @amanda_katzz on the ‘gram and tell me what you loved reading this week.
Things I’m enjoying…
Who Makes You Feel Held, on the This Morning Walk podcast.
What I Know: A List at Sixty, by Elissa Altman on the Poor Man’s Feast Substack.
5 steps to solid nutrition that are IMO very “digestible” — from my friend and sports dietitian Holley Samuels.
Brags and business…
For the runners and the non-runners who are challenging their courage this season, let me share a “zero f*cks given* conversation I had with registered dietitian Serena Marie on her podcast.
Baby’s first New York Times feature! Check me out on the 8 Fitness Myths That Drive Experts Crazy.
Are you an Equinox member? View my schedule here or via the app. No new updates for the year!
Eyeing a fall or winter race and looking for a run coach? The time to reach out is now! I’ll start taking new athletes right around March. Also, I’ve opened up a few slots on the schedule for more virtual 1:1 consultations. This is perfect for someone who does not have a trainer or coach or is looking for fitness guidance who has some one-off questions (i.e. preparing for a race this winter) or simply wants a check-in every 4-6 weeks related to routine. You can ask me anything when it comes to guidance in strength training, running, mobility, resources for injury prevention and fueling, goal setting or simply building out a sustainable routine that works for YOUR life. To be added to my runner waitlist or schedule a consultation, email me at amandaskatz@gmail.com. For more details regarding offerings and rates, visit my website.
Talk soon!
Coach