The Year I Stopped Starting Over Every Monday
A year ago, if you had told me I would lose 30 pounds, I probably would have assumed it would involve a strict diet, intense workouts, and a lot of willpower. After all, that’s how I had approached health for years.
Like many women, I found myself trapped in the cycle of dieting, guilt and starting over. I’d follow a plan perfectly for a while, see some progress, then life would get busy. I’d eat something I hadn’t planned to eat, miss a workout or have a stressful week and suddenly, I felt like I had failed. So I would tell myself the rest of the week didn’t matter since I had ruined it and would make a promise to myself I’d start again on Monday.
Does this sound familiar?
My problem wasn’t a lack of motivation, it was my mindset. I believed health had to be all or nothing. I thought if I couldn’t do everything perfectly, there was no point doing anything at all.
That way of thinking kept me stuck for years. Everything began to change when I started my journey to becoming a Health Coach.
Instead of focusing on quick fixes, I learned to focus on sustainable habits. Rather than asking, “What’s the fastest way to lose weight?” I started asking, “What’s one small thing I can do consistently?”
My answer was simple
I started walking. Not because it was the perfect exercise or it promised dramatic results. But simply because it was something I could realistically fit into my life every morning. I enjoyed my peaceful morning walks and I kept doing it.
Over time, I added other habits. Nothing extreme. Nothing that required me to overhaul my entire life overnight. Just small changes that felt manageable.
Those small changes became routines, those routines became habits and those habits started to transform my health. 15 months later, those changes have added up to a 30-pound weight loss.
But if I’m being honest, the number on the scale isn’t the part I’m most proud of. The biggest transformation happened in my mind. I’ve learned that one meal doesn’t ruin my progress and that healthy eating doesn’t have to be perfect. I’ve learned that consistency matters far more than perfection and to treat myself with compassion instead of criticism.
Do I still struggle?
Absolutely. I still have moments when I eat emotionally and when I find it challenging to put myself higher on my list of priorities. I am human and I am still a work in progress.
However, the difference is that I no longer view those moments as failures. I have tools that help me pause, reflect and make healthier choices without guilt or shame. I know that one difficult day doesn’t erase months of progress and that I don’t need to wait until Monday to get back on track.
Most importantly, I’ve learned that health isn’t something you achieve and then forget about. It’s a lifelong practice of caring for yourself. That’s why I’m so passionate about health coaching today. Not because I have all the answers or that I’ve become perfect, but because I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful small, sustainable changes can be.
You don’t need to overhaul your life, start another restrictive diet or wait for the perfect time. You just need to start where you are and take the next small step. Those small steps might not seem like much today but given enough time, they can change everything. And sometimes, they can help you stop starting over every Monday.
Ready to make healthy living feel this simple?
Do you need support to figure out what “simple and sustainable” looks like for you specifically? That’s what I’m here for.. Book a free call, I’d love to connect.