April 2024
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- Maya Angelou
Coach’s Commentary
My Instagram feed blew up regarding a Washington Post article a little over a week ago. I don’t have access to the Washington Post article, but I saw their Instagram post, and I saw various screenshots of the article from people with access. It seems that the basic gist of the article is that birth control is completely safe and anyone telling you they have/had bad side effects while on BC is lying. They make a generalized statement about the dangers of using knowledge of your cycle to avoid pregnancy instead (they allude to the rhythm method and it’s high failure rate, but don’t bother to mention that the rhythm method is outdated and has been replaced with several scientific-based methods that have high success rates when learned properly). They completely gaslight and minimize the many women who have experienced terrible side effects from birth control, and attempt to vilify those who are searching for better alternatives. They ignore the fact that the side effects are real, they are listed in the prescription pamphlets, and they can be dire for some people, up to and including death.
Women have a right to choose birth control, but they also have a right to be fully informed about the potential side effects, and they deserve to be heard when they experience side effects. Furthermore, they have a right to be taught how their body works, and to be given the option to learn how to pay attention to the signs and know how to avoid pregnancy naturally if they choose to. The Washington Post had an opportunity to help women be heard and fight for better healthcare, and instead they dismissed women as we have been being dismissed for ages. If you are a woman who has never been gaslit or ignored by your doctor, then you are among the lucky few. My guess would be most of you reading this have had an experience at some point where your doctor brushed off a concern about something health-related. This is unacceptable, and we need to fight to be heard and helped. I may be primarily a run coach and personal trainer, but I also care deeply about women’s health and am sick of hearing about women’s negative experiences with healthcare providers and procedures. Women who are reading this, please know that you have a right to be heard, respected, and helped by healthcare professionals, and that if someone isn’t treating you with respect and compassion, you can and should find another provider.
Currently Recommending
Podcasts with Stacy Sims
Stacy Sims is a leading expert in women’s health and fitness especially as we age and go through perimenopause and menopause. These podcast interviews she has done are definitely worth a listen!
When Life Gives You Lemons - Interview with Dr. Stacy Sims
Why women shouldn’t do intermittent fasting.
Behind Her Empire - Interview with Dr. Stacy Sims
How women should be training, building muscle, and eating.
The Wild Performance Podcast : Interview with Dr. Stacy Sims & Caroline Criado Perez
Are women small men?
The Optimal Body : Interview with Dr. Stacy Sims
Training and nutrition through menopause
ICYMI
I have been holding a giveaway on Instagram at the end of each month. Sometimes it’s a caption contest, sometimes it’s a video challenge, some months it may be as simple as liking/sharing a post of mine! Giveaway prizes will vary, but will involve one or more of my services. Be sure to follow my Instagram so you don’t miss out!
Instagram : @running4thehills
Freebie
Need some motivation to build healthy habits? Do you like using checklists to show your accomplishments each day? Give this one a try for April. Click the link, then select “make a copy.” You can then download to PDF and print.
