We often hear about overnight success stories or rapid transformations that make us feel as though significant change must happen all at once. However, my journey to a healthier lifestyle taught me the power and sustainability of small, incremental changes. It’s a path less appealing in the ‘want it now’ era, but it is the most beneficial in my experience. It’s also one of the easiest ways to make a new thing last. Here is my story about the small changes I have made overtime.
Starting with Food
My journey began with a simple yet fundamental aspect of life: food. I didn’t overhaul my diet overnight or jump into the deep end with a strict eating regime. Instead, I made small, manageable adjustments to what I ate. First thing out was dairy. Years later I decided to eat less meat which eventually turned into no meat. During that time I just naturally increased my veggie intake. These tiny decisions didn’t feel like much at the time, but they were the first steps in a much larger journey.
The Ripple Effect of Water
After adjusting my eating habits, the next natural step was to look at my hydration. The importance of water is often overlooked. I didn’t realize how dehydrated I was until I started making a conscious effort to drink more water. This small change had a surprising effect on my energy levels, skin, and overall well-being. It was as if my body was thanking me for finally paying attention to its needs. Want to increase your water intake? Check out this free course I set up to help you!
Enjoying Quiet Mornings
As these initial changes started to take root, I found myself enjoying the quiet of the early morning. There was something magical about the peace that comes before the world wakes up. However, the downside was the tiredness from waking up earlier than usual. The solution? Adjusting my bedtime. By going to bed earlier, I found the perfect balance that allowed me to enjoy the mornings without sacrificing my sleep.
Getting Back Into Some Form of Movement
I used to teach Jazzercise and loved it. Actually, I still love Jazzercise and think it is the best workout out there but I just can’t get my mind to move into student mode and my heart really isn’t into teaching it again. It took a long time for me to find my rhythm of workouts. It finally feels like it is just now coming back.
The Moral of the Story
After looking back I learned this: small, incremental changes can lead to substantial improvements in our health and well-being. It’s not about making drastic changes overnight but rather finding what works for you and making adjustments at your own pace.
If you’re on the path to finding your groove, remember, the journey doesn’t have a finish line. It’s about continuous improvement and finding joy in the process. Give yourself the grace to experiment, to learn, and to grow. Health isn’t a destination but a journey, and there’s no time limit on making changes that make you feel better.
