Why Getting Healthy Feels So Hard and How to Make It Easier
Written by Ariana Hakman, Entrepreneur and COO
Ariana Hakman is a former corporate finance executive turned serial entrepreneur in fitness, nutrition, and tech. She’s the co-founder of LunaFit, a multi-brand wellness company anchored by its fast-growing LunaFit app, built to help users take control of their nutrition, workouts, and daily habits.
We don’t talk about this enough. It’s not that you’re lazy, it’s not that you’re undisciplined or unmotivated; it’s that you’re exhausted, mentally and physically. It comes from making decisions all day, showing up for everyone else, juggling work, kids, stress, and trying to hold it all together.
And then, on top of that, you’re told to wake up earlier, track every calorie, prep a week of meals, do an hour-long workout, and drink a gallon of water while staying positive, productive, and grateful. And don’t forget perfect!
It’s no wonder people quit, not because they’re weak, but because the system isn’t built for real life.
I’ve been there too
Before I started LunaFit, I was a mom in the middle of a career I had worked hard to build. But I was burned out, overwhelmed, and trying to live up to unrealistic expectations in motherhood, business, and my health.
And I noticed something: the fitness world wasn’t making it any easier. It was all or nothing. Rigid meal plans. Fitness programs that assumed I had an extra hour or two every day. Advice that didn’t fit my life or the lives of anyone I actually knew. And there was an overload of information, with each source contradicting the last.
That’s why I started building something different: because real people don’t need more pressure. They need tools that relieve pressure.
The problem isn't you, it’s the way the industry talks to you
Most wellness programs are designed around ideal conditions, but most of us are living in the real world. When we don’t hit perfection, we feel like we have to start over or wait for a “better” time in our lives, but let’s face it, that day never comes!
Because kids get sick, work deadlines pile up, you forgot to thaw the chicken, or you had a rough night and just don’t have it in you today! And yet, wellness advice doesn’t account for any of that. It tells you to push harder, stay disciplined, and stop making excuses. That’s not motivational or helpful!
Here’s what actually works:
Simplicity
Flexibility
A plan that meets you where you are
A system that doesn’t fall apart if you miss a day
What I’ve learned helping thousands of people
People don’t fail because they aren’t trying. They fail because the path they’re following wasn’t made for them, and when they consistently feel like they’re failing, they quit.
I’ve worked with thousands of people through our gym, our meal prep company, and now our app, and here’s what I’ve learned:
Success doesn’t come from doing it all. It comes from doing a few things well, consistently, over time. Most of the time, it’s not about motivation or perfection; it’s about discipline and progress. It’s about the right systems and a plan you don’t have to overthink, one that makes it easier to show up for yourself, even on hard days.
Here’s what you can do right now for a healthy change
You don’t need a total life overhaul. You don’t need a 5AM routine or a 30-day reset.
Try this instead:
Choose one small thing to do for yourself today to start a new habit. It could be a walk, a good meal, or going to bed at a decent time.
Stop beating yourself up! Start noticing what’s actually getting in your way of making small changes and work on those things.
Get support! We all need help with different things at different times. A coach, a system, an app that helps you stay focused.
Shift your mindset to progress and leave perfection behind.
You deserve better
You are not lazy, you are doing your best in a culture that makes health way harder than it should be. So here’s your permission to stop beating yourself up. And your reminder that there is a better way!
Download the LunaFit app, and let’s simplify your journey together!
Read more from Ariana Hakman
Ariana Hakman, Entrepreneur and COO
Ariana Hakman is a leading voice in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle innovation, known for creating practical tools that drive real results. After 13 years in corporate finance within the healthcare sector, she left the boardroom to build a more balanced life for her daughter, and a business that aligned with her values. She co-founded LunaFit, a wellness brand and mobile app helping users simplify their workouts, nutrition, and daily habits. Ariana has built four companies across wellness and tech, with a mission to make healthy living simple, sustainable, and achievable for all.
