Breaking The Habit – Why Change Feels Impossible
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 24, 2024
- 5 min read
Esté Bell, is a holistic health and nutrition coach with a specific interest in sleep, stress and recovery management. As a teenager she developed disordered eating habits, followed by a diagnosis with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome a couple of years later. The resulting health and weight management issues led to a passion for holistic nutrition and the desire to help others transform their health.
Change. The word has the power to send a shiver down the spine and bring with it a swirl of emotions and resistance. At times, we are filled with motivation and eagerly attack the habits that require change, only to find ourselves back at square one once the motivation dies away. Why is it so challenging to alter our lifestyle habits, even when we know it's for the best?
Not all habits are equally hard to change. Maybe you get badly sunburned every time you go hiking with friends. At your next hike, a friend hands you sunscreen. You lather yourself with sunscreen, enjoy your hike, and don’t get sunburned. From then on, you never leave the house without applying sunscreen. You have successfully changed your habits.
Why was this so easy? Because you felt it. The new habit prevented pain. It also didn’t affect your time, your schedule, or your comfort levels. Changing our habits around eating and movement is unfortunately not that easy.
Why is it so hard to change our lifestyle habits?
Our brains are wired for consistency. Once we become comfortable doing something a certain way, we’ll comfortably do it over and over again. Practice makes perfect. Over time, our lifestyle habits become deeply entrenched in neural pathways. This means when we try to change, we’re essentially fighting against years of automatic behaviour. It’s not just about willpower; it’s about reprogramming our minds.
Common obstacles to change
Fear of the unknown: Change brings uncertainty, and our brains love predictability. The idea of stepping out into uncertain terrain can be scary.
The comfort zone: We stick to what’s familiar because it’s safe. Familiar = Comfortable.
Lack of immediate gratification: New habits often don’t provide instant rewards. We want to change our eating habits on Monday and expect the scale to give evidence of it by Friday. By Friday next week, we quit because the scale hadn’t budged, and we never noticed that our pants were looser around the waist.
Social and environmental influences: Our surroundings and the people in our lives can either support or hinder our efforts. Other people’s opinions and criticism have doomed countless efforts to change, especially when the words come from those we spend most of our time with.
Fear of failure: Our efforts to change are unlikely to go unnoticed. The thought that others are watching often gives rise to the question: “What if I fail?”
Shifting our mindset
Adopting a growth mindset is crucial. This means viewing change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. This means adopting a positive outlook and viewing the journey as a learning experience, failures and all. Here’s how:
Embrace discomfort: Recognize that discomfort is a part of the process and a sign of progress.
Set clear, achievable goals: Break down the larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks. Be realistic in realizing that you can’t attempt to change everything at once and start with one small task at a time.
Celebrate small wins: Every small step forward is a victory and a step closer to your ultimate goal. If you consistently walk eight thousand steps a day, five times a week, you’ll walk more than two million steps in a year! Every tiny step counts.
Visualize success: Keep a mental image of what success looks like to stay motivated. Even better, write it down and read it aloud every day. If you can see it, you can achieve it.
Practical tips for incorporating change
Start small: Make minor adjustments to avoid overwhelming yourself. Practice one new habit until you are comfortable with doing it daily before adding another.
Build a support system: A sure way to make your big dream die is to tell it to a small-minded person. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support your goals.
Track progress: Keep a journal or use apps to monitor your progress and stay accountable. It comes with the added benefit of reminding you where you started. You only need to turn the pages back to the start to be motivated once again!
Seek professional help: Health coaches can provide guidance and support to navigate the complexities of change. They offer personalized strategies and motivation to keep you on track. Not only will your health coach keep you accountable, but they’ll simplify the process, too!
In conclusion, while change is undeniably tough, it's far from impossible. By understanding the reasons behind our resistance and adopting strategies to overcome obstacles, we can transform our habits and, ultimately, our lives. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. There are trained professionals to help you through every step of the way, ensuring that the journey of change is a shared and supported endeavour. Investing in yourself will be the best investment you’ll ever make.
Ready to transform your health?
Are you tired of the never-ending diets and quick fixes that leave you feeling frustrated and defeated? As a middle-aged coach who has been where you are, I understand the unique challenges faced by my middle-aged clients. But guess what? Sustainable results are within your reach!
Work with a coach committed to long-lasting change. Here is what you will get:
Personalized guidance: Tailored nutrition plans and lifestyle adjustments that fit your individual needs.
Mindful habits: Let us break free from old patterns and create new, empowering habits.
Accountability: We are in this together! Regular check-ins and support to keep you on track.
Energy boost: Imagine waking up with renewed vitality and zest for life.
Confidence: Feel great in your own skin, no matter your age!
Take the first step toward a healthier, happier you! Reach out by sending an e-mail here or visit my website to schedule your free consultation.
Let us transform those habits and unlock sustainable well-being.
Esté Bell, Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach
Esté Bell is a holistic health and nutrition coach with a specific interest in sleep, stress and recovery management. As a teenager she developed disordered eating habits, followed by a diagnosis with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome a couple of years later. The resulting health and weight management issues led to a passion for holistic nutrition and the desire to help others transform their health. It was during her marriage to an emotional-abusive alcoholic that she personally experienced the importance of sleep, and stress and recovery management. She is the CEO of LevelUp Nutrition, based in South Africa, and has dedicated her life to encourage, equip and empower her clients to make change happen.
