Where Should I Begin?

The biggest struggle in healthy lifestyle change has to be getting started.

It seems like good choices and the right thing to do are oftentimes the most difficult to just begin. To be consistent is another issue... but I want to focus this post on just getting started.

It helps to remember the law of inertia. Once you get the ball rolling, it is easier to keep it going. When it stops, the effort is greater to get it moving again. Every time.

So, how do you take that first step? How do you make the first move? How do you begin to change your eating habits or start moving? If you are asking yourself these questions, it is probably more helpful for you to reframe the process in your head entirely. Ask yourself why do I want to take that first step? Why do I want to make the first move towards changing my lifestyle? Why am I seeking change in the first place? Reframe from how to why.

I would like to share a personal story where I have used this reframe to make sustainable change in my own life.

I have had chronic disease affect very close members of my family and it has paved the road to my interest in healthy lifestyle interventions for over 20 years now. I worked as a paralegal for a long time. I was in various settings, boutique and corporate over the years. With a sedentary office job, I made a conscious effort to do all of the healthy eating and movement that I knew was going to lower my percentage of developing these conditions in my own life. I spoke with others about healthy lifestyle change. I participated in a corporate wellness program. I was outwardly projecting my interest in prioritizing my health without intention, answering lots of questions, and setting up a lot of hikes with co-workers along the way. But guess what? There was something happening in the background that was sabotaging all of the effort I was putting into my life to prevent chronic disease and positive health outcomes. I was drinking a lot. Most of the people I associated with, and my close friends, drank a lot too. It was something that was just given a pass. It started to really affect my health, mentally and physically. It seemed like I could not get away from the questions I kept asking myself around how to change this habit. How do I not drink at happy hours with my friends? How do I not drink with my husband on camping trips and get-togethers? How do I go the rest of my life without drinking? How do I respond to people who offer me drinks?

It took me awhile to catch on and stop. It was not easy, and it took some work. I have not touched alcohol in 8 years. I can be around people who drink without cravings or judgments. I am at peace with my actions and decisions. I was able to create sustainable change by asking why instead of how.

I had to ask myself why do I keep doing something that is damaging my health? Why do I keep doing something that upsets people that I love? Why did I start drinking? Why does it affect me differently that others around me? Why do I want to stop? Through this type of self-questioning, I was able to regain control over my actions by asking myself these questions. I was back in the driver's seat. Once I got the ball rolling in the right direction, it has been going that way ever since. Thinking back, a health coach would have been helpful! 😂

Can you relate to this story?

Are the foods you are eating working against you and causing harm? Is the lack of movement in your life causing physical and/or mental problems that you are beginning to notice? Do you have issues with drinking, smoking, or other substances that are preventing you from reaching your full potential in health outcomes down the road?

It can be hard to sit with yourself and sort out the why to questions like these. It is much easier in the short term to ignore them or to distract ourselves, so we do not upset the status quo. I would encourage anyone who is reading this to not hesitate to do so. As soon as possible. The only thing we can do if we are feeling stuck or blocked by barriers to change is to create a new pattern to deal with the situation or create a path around them.

Get started by asking yourself why. Start today. Now is a good time.

If you are reading this and would like to discuss the process of behavior change further, need motivation and/or accountability, or are actively looking for a coach to work alongside you while you achieve your goals, please get in touch.

Always remember to prioritize your health!