Rachel's Fit Health

The majority of people do not like change. We get accustomed to the same routine, the same friends, the same foods, the same study habits, and we stick with them (whether or not they really work!). 

We know eating well and exercising is good for us. Why is it so hard to make a healthy change in our lives?

Because it’s uncomfortable. Any degree of change brings us out of the comforts of our typical day. Our brain has to think a little more. We have to develop techniques and strategies to combat obstacles. Is it tough? Yes!  But eating healthy food and developing an exercise routine becomes easier with time.

My head is full of recipes, workouts, tips and plans for adhering to this healthy lifestyle.  This is one reason why I created this blog. I’ve learned through experience, and I want to share my tips with you. I basically have an atlas for the healthy lifestyle in my head! :)

How many of you have set out to get healthy or start working out and obstacles come your way? School and work interfere with your workout plans. You have to stay later for a meeting and didn’t bring a healthy snack. We slowly slide back into our old habits, and although we feel some guilt, it’s comfortable there.

Give yourself time to adjust to this change. So many of us believe eating healthy and exercising is “out of our control.” They shift the blame- “Here is the real reason why I can’t change my life..” and the list follows. I understand some people have very intense school or work schedules and therefore have less time to get to the gym than others do. But- there is always time for healthy eating, and in my opinion, that is more important.

So guess what? It is you. Take ownership. Don’t slide back into your comfortable, familiar lifestyle. As humans, that’s what we’re all tempted to do. Let yourself be uncomfortable. Stay there long enough to make this life comfortable. My comfortable lifestyle is exercising most days of the week, and eating healthy food. I’m uncomfortable with any other lifestyle because this is what I’m familiar with- I’ve made this my reality, and I’m living it each day.

So is it easier for me to live this lifestyle than it is for you?

In some cases, no- I’m tempted by sweets, I know how delicious the Great Wall of Chocolate cake tastes from P.F. Changs, and how warm, crispy and delicious tempura sushi is, and if anything- I want it more than you because I rarely have it!

-but-

That’s bringing me out of my routine.  That’s change. So this is why I believe with time, it is easier to live a healthy lifestyle. You gain ammunition to combat the less-than-stellar food choices out there.

So- it’s time to get uncomfortable.

Educate yourself. Gain ammunition. Make a plan and practice saying “no”.

Develop strategies and plan ahead. Challenge yourself, and as soon as you feel yourself slipping back to your old habits, do something you don’t “feel like doing”, like going to the gym or heading out for a jog outside. 

I’m here to tell you this lifestyle does get easier, but you must put in the work and get a little uncomfortable first.  Yes, you may feel deprived. Yes, you’ll envy your friends. Yes, you may feel a little sorry for yourself. But these feelings lessen with time. STICK WITH IT.

Do something today that takes you out of your comfort zone. Choose a salad instead of a burger when you go out to eat. Order dressing on the side. Skip the familiar chicken nuggets you love to eat.

Everytime you say “no”, store that as ammunition. You just proved to yourself you have more willpower than you think. See where this new road takes you.