Excuses. 

Excuses – we all make them.

When it comes to nutrition, what excuses do you find yourself using that derail efforts to stay on track?

A common one I hear is… and confession, something that I find myself saying… “I’ve been so busy…”

Making healthy choices on a consistent basis, and staying on track with your health and wellness goals is hard. That is true. It is ok to feel like this is hard.

Rather than staying stuck with these excuses, my challenge for you, if you find yourself making this excuse, is to make a list of things that are hard. Your list may look something like this:

• Losing weight

• Meal prepping and working out on a consistent basis – longer than a month

• Logging food – either paper or on Myfitnesspal

• Doing strength sessions

• Staying committed to long-term goals

The next step of this challenge is to find the counter argument to these excuses. What else is hard?

• Chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes

• Fatigue from eating processed foods

• Losing strength and endurance from not working out regularly, or staying committed to an exercise program

• Walking up the stairs and being out of breath

• Feeling a lack of accomplishment

Next time you find yourself making the excuse of what is hard, examine your list. What is truly hard? In the moment, your effort may feel difficult, but take a moment to reflect on the big picture, and reshape your thoughts. What are things you can do TODAY to stay committed to your long-term health and wellness goals?

When you change your thinking, you have the power to change your life, make consistent healthy choices, and ultimately achieve long-term goals and long-term health.