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Hello Reader One of the modern wellness trends that just keeps resurfacing is counting. Whether it is counting steps, counting calories, counting grams of protein, or counting hours of sleep, our current health culture seems obsessed with numbers. So many people wear smartwatches or fitness trackers to monitor their daily steps and sleep quality. Some are even fancier and track your "body battery," pulse, heart rate, pulse Ox and so much more. But I always have to ask: What are you actually doing with that data? More often than not, the answer is... nothing. Many people even pay monthly app subscriptions to have an algorithm tell them how to live. Or worse, have AI interpret the data for them. But usually, one of three things happens:
Tracking your health can be a fantastic tool, but only if it is done correctly and you know how to act upon the information. For example, when I recommend Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to my private clients, they only wear them for a short period of time. The goal is not to create a lifelong dependency on a sensor. The goal is to collect real-time data so I can teach them how to interpret it, understand their body's unique response, and make informed choices moving forward. The same rule applies to every fancy gadget, expensive watch, or smart ring on the market. It is only worth the price tag if you know how to apply what it tells you. Even comprehensive private lab test results can feel completely overwhelming without a clear, guided framework to translate them into action. In my practice, I generally do not ask my clients to "count" anything. Instead, we focus on self-awareness. We look closely at their daily habits and implement gradual, sustainable shifts. There is a major difference between counting and tracking.
Don't get me wrong, medical technology absolutely has its place. Individuals managing a condition like Type 1 diabetes rely on these devices daily and they should have easy access to them. But if you are managing conditions like PCOS/PMOS, you do not need expensive wearables to keep your health in check. Learning to listen to the natural signals of your body is a vital skill in itself. Your metabolism naturally fluctuates from day to day, and that is true for everyone, not just menstruating women. When it comes to your long-term vitality, when you eat and how you eat are just as critical as what you eat. Being healthy is about creating lasting habits that work for your lifestyle. Beyond 1:1 nutrition consultations, I also support my community and private clients with targeted clinical resources:
Just a quick note on quality. I work exclusively with accredited, highly reputable laboratories and suppliers that have been established for over a decade. You can rest assured that your supplements are sourced directly from regulated clinical warehouses (never unverified online sellers like Amazon) and that your diagnostic tests are processed with the utmost care and precision. If you have any questions about this, you can reply to this email. Health & Happiness, Varsha P.S. Did you know that I am on WhatsApp? If its more convenient, you can send your questions via WhatsApp to: +44 1895 602695 |
Hello! Thank you for stopping by. My name is Varsha and I am the founder of Illuminated Health. I am a qualified nutritionist and ayurveda consultant who specialises in women's health, type 2 diabetes and digestive wellbeing. I love what I do so much that I am currently a PhD researcher in Food Innovation and Sustainable Nutrition. In my newsletters, I like to keep it real and practical. I love to share my knowledge and experience with all things related to holistic health. You will also hear about my student journey and my family. I love hearing from my readers, so please do say hi once you have subscribed! Wishing you health and happiness, Varsha
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