Even as someone in a health profession, I get a little tired of hearing “follow these simple steps to health”. One can get sick of hearing do this and do that, yet never feeling like any of it is doable. Let me tell you something…HEALTHY ISN’T EASY.
So, don’t feel bad if you struggle making changes with your health habits and practices. It has been said that anything that is worthwhile is never easy. Changes that are worth doing will always be the hardest, and habits do not change overnight. It generally takes 4-8 times of doing something before you can commit it to memory. I feel that applies to all things in life. It can take a few times failing at something before you get the hang of it and become successful, but change is possible. I know that personally, I learn more from my mistakes and failures, than my successes could ever teach me.
The tastiest bits of advice that I offer up to all that will listen are as follows, (in non-top-10 form).
Find your why. Why do you want to change something? If the answer to that is anything or anyone other than for me, myself and I… maybe try rethinking your why.
Find your community. Be it a dietary change, fit goals, or a new health diagnosis… you are not the only one. You are not the first. You are not the last. There are other people out there struggling just like you are, and I bet just like you, they think it isn’t easy. Share on social media, chat with stranger in line at a store, look up groups online, and talk openly and honestly to friends and family.
Be honest with yourself. Make goals that are achievable. Write them down somewhere and believe in them. “I, <insert name here>, promise to try and take my vitamins every day this week, because I know they make me feel better.” If you fail but at least tried then it was a learning experience and was all worth it.
Praise the efforts made whether you win or fail. Check in with yourself, and your chosen community. At the end of the week or day, say okay I got 4 of 7 goals accomplished this week but it was an awesome start and that is way better than none.
And at the end of the day remember the most important thing…HEALTHY ISN’T EASY.
I believe in you…Do you?
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.