Change can be intimidating, especially when it comes to your health.
We are growing older and our bodies are changing, whether we want them to or not. Yet, we find it harder and harder to keep up with what our bodies are doing to us. For us women, from puberty to childbirth to menopause and everything in between and beyond, our bodies are amazing machines.
But, they need maintenance and need to change as we age.
And, we shouldn’t be afraid of these new changes. We need to learn about ourselves, not fear what’s happening and dive into creating a new and better version of ourselves, with our overall health and wellness. We need to listen to what our bodies are telling us and stop making excuses for it.
Whether it’s discovering and starting a new workout routine, learning what foods make us feel better and switching up our diet, or simply committing to self-care, the fear of the unknown can hold you back from becoming the healthiest version of yourself.
Understand the Fear
It’s normal to feel fear when making changes. Ask yourself what you’re truly afraid of.
- Is it failure?
- Judgment from others?
- Is it succeeding and having to keep up with what we discovered? (Yes, that’s a real thing, fear of success.)
- Or, is it just not knowing where to start, so we don’t do anything?
Understanding the root of your fear is key to gaining strength to move forward to creating the better you.
This is the most uncomfortable for people. We are afraid of getting deep, finding what is really driving us. It is when we are able to get uncomfortable, to become most vulnerable, we begin to see ourselves for the first time and start to be able to better our overall health, which includes our emotional state and our physical being.
Focus on Why You’re Making the Change
Rather than focusing on the fear, shift your attention to the benefits you’ll gain.
Focus on the why. Looing good, better energy, improved mood, and overall wellness are powerful motivators. But, why do you need those?
It is easy to say “I want to lose weight,” or “I want to make more money,” or whatever you want. But, dig in to asking yourself “what will you gain from that?” Get uncomfortable.
Maybe you want to lose weight for physical appearance, but deep down inside, it is because you know there is a family history of health problems that you want to avoid. You don’t really find your why until you become that child who keeps asking “why” 20 times and you have to keep digging deeper for the answers.
Write down your reasons for wanting to improve your health and revisit them often. They may change as you reach your goals, and that’s a good thing.
Create a Plan
Having a clear plan can help alleviate the anxiety of change. It should be detailed but not so much that you are intimidated and quit before you even start.
Break your goals down into actionable steps, whether it’s incorporating more vegetables into your diet or scheduling time for exercise.
Start small.
For example, you want to change your eating habits. We all know that when we cut out everything that is bad, we fall off the wagon in 3 days. (If you can last longer – kudos to you! I’m not always that strong.) Think it of it as “crowding out” the bad stuff with the good. Adding more fruits and vegetables can help your body stop craving the artificial sugars and start wanting more of the healthy foods.
Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination
It’s easy to get fixated on the end goal, but true empowerment comes from embracing the process. Every challenge and success along the way is part of your growth.
It is easy to get discouraged when we don’t see major changes after a few days or even after a week or two. We may feel extra tired or sluggish or moody, but that is just part of the process. Our bodies are changing. Things are happening on the inside that we don’t see at first. Then, one day, you’ll wake up with less brain fog and a little more energy and in a better mood.
The journey is where we get stronger. That’s where we really get uncomfortable. When you start getting over the small obstacles to get to your goal, then you get the motivation you need to reach that destination.
Just don’t forget to celebrate each and every milestone along that journey!
Always remember, change doesn’t have to be scary. When you’re prepared and focused on the benefits, you can overcome fear and take empowered action toward a healthier you.
If you are struggling with finding your why or creating that plan or even sticking to that plan, working with a health and wellness coach can help you stay focused and accountable. I am here to help you with creating a plan that works for you. Send me a message today at jen@radiancehealthwellnesscoaching.com or click here to schedule your free consultation today.