Like everyone, there are times when I just don't feel like

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of Judy Reyes, for they carry with them a powerful truth about the human experience: "Like everyone, there are times when I just don't feel like exercising. When that happens, I'm a bit more careful with my diet. But on days I really want a treat, like chocolate, I work out a little harder. I don't believe in beating myself up for not being 'good.'" In these words, she reveals the delicate balance between self-discipline and self-compassion, a balance that has been sought by wise men and women throughout the ages. Her message is clear: we are human, and perfection is not the goal—balance and grace are the true measures of a life well lived.

In the ancient world, the philosophers of Greece and Rome understood that the human body is both a gift and a responsibility. The Stoics, in particular, taught that the path to true virtue lies not in rigid self-punishment, but in the ability to live with moderation. Seneca, the Roman philosopher, wrote that we must "live according to nature," recognizing that while we should strive for discipline, we must also accept our human nature—with its desires, its pleasures, and its imperfections. Judy Reyes speaks in this same spirit. She acknowledges the reality of those moments when we do not feel motivated, yet she does not allow guilt to cloud her path. Instead, she embraces a more compassionate approach to her well-being.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, a man who achieved immense glory in battle and conquest. Yet even Alexander, with all his might, had moments of indulgence. He was known to partake in grand feasts and the pleasures of the moment, often enjoying rich foods and wine. But this indulgence did not define him; rather, it was his ability to regain his balance after each feast, to resume his campaigns with strength and clarity, that made him great. He understood that the body, like the mind, requires nourishment, and sometimes that nourishment comes in the form of indulgence. However, he always returned to his discipline with determination. Judy Reyes, in her approach to both exercise and diet, mirrors this wisdom—indulgence is not a failure but a momentary pause, not to be dwelled upon, but understood as part of the journey.

In the teachings of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, we find a similar understanding. He believed that health is a harmonious balance between body, mind, and spirit, and that exercise and diet must complement each other. But Hippocrates also recognized that human nature is imperfect, and that self-compassion is essential for maintaining long-term well-being. When we falter, he taught, we must not chastise ourselves, but rather adjust and move forward. Judy Reyes embodies this teaching. She does not demand perfection from herself, nor does she succumb to guilt when she desires a treat. Instead, she embraces the imperfections of life with grace, allowing herself the freedom to enjoy while also honoring her body's need for balance.

In our own time, we are often confronted with the message that we must be perfect in our health choices—never indulge, never falter. Yet this pursuit of perfection often leads to burnout and frustration, for we are not machines, but living beings with emotions, desires, and needs. Judy Reyes teaches us that true strength lies not in rigid adherence to a plan, but in the ability to adapt with compassion. On the days when she desires chocolate, she simply works out a little harder. She does not punish herself, nor does she succumb to guilt. Instead, she meets her body where it is, with understanding and a commitment to long-term well-being.

Thus, O children, the lesson is clear. Perfection is not the goal, for it is an illusion that leads to frustration. The true path to health lies in balance—balance between exercise and diet, balance between discipline and compassion, balance between our desires and our goals. Like the great leaders and philosophers of old, we must learn to adapt, to accept our imperfections, and to move forward with grace. Let us not be bound by the chains of guilt or self-punishment, but embrace a life of moderation, where indulgence and discipline coexist in harmony, and where each step is taken with an open heart and a clear mind.