Abs Are Made In The Kitchen
Maximize Nutrition, Minimize Calories
They say abs are made in the kitchen—not the gym—and as someone who has worked in the health and wellness space for over 21 years, I wholeheartedly agree. In fact, the most common question I still hear is:
“What’s the best exercise to flatten my stomach?”
Here’s the truth: you can’t outwork a poor diet.
The 80/20 Rule of Weight Loss
When I first began my wellness journey at 27, I hired a personal trainer to help me lose weight and get strong. But the real education came in realizing that what I did outside the gym mattered even more. Of all the factors involved in successful weight loss and body transformation, nutrition accounts for roughly 80%.
Today, I focus on massage therapy and body recovery, but I continue to guide my clients on holistic approaches to health. And nutrition always remains the cornerstone.
Even with all the massages in the world, if your body is inflamed from poor dietary choices, it will hold onto excess water, store fat, and feel sluggish. Many clients who start regular massage work with me are also encouraged to review what they’re eating—not to count every calorie, but to make informed, nourishing choices.
The 3-Prong Approach to Sustainable Change
I like to compare sustainable wellness to a 3-prong plug:
Exercise (resistance training and cardio)
Recovery (massage, sleep, hydration)
Nutrition (the foundation)
Nutrition is the prong that powers everything else. Without it, your system short-circuits.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Diet
What works for one person might inflame another. That’s why food sensitivity testing and even dietary DNA analysis helped me personally discover which foods were working against me. When I eliminated those trigger foods, my digestion improved, my sleep got deeper, and my skin became clearer.
This kind of nutritional clarity can support the massage process as well—less inflammation means your body responds better to bodywork and heals faster.
The Power of Listening to Your Body
Nutrition isn’t just about cutting calories. It’s about:
Balancing macronutrients (protein, carbs, fats)
Practicing portion control
Staying hydrated (thirst is often mistaken for hunger)
Eating foods that reduce inflammation in your body
Quick fixes and fad diets may bring short-term results, but they often damage your metabolism and mindset. True wellness comes from making small, sustainable changes that evolve into lifelong habits.
It Starts In Your Kitchen
Massage therapy is a powerful ally in your wellness journey—but don’t underestimate what’s on your plate. Healing and transformation happen when we take care of our bodies from the inside out. And that starts in your kitchen.
Eat well. Move mindfully. Rest deeply.
Your abs—and your whole body—will thank you.
