Many people equate “healthy choices” with a sacrifice of the things they love. No more pizza, no more drinking with friends, no more fun!  It can be perceived as a punishment for bad choices they have made up to that point, and as such, people often start their health journey with a negative mindset. As you may expect, or have even experienced yourself, this can result in many stops and starts, but ultimately ends in a short-lived change in approach. For those who manage to stick with it but still have this negative approach, can find themselves incorporating more and more “cheat days” to get through it. The eventual outcome is a criticality of themselves and the process when they don’t see results.

But starting a health journey doesn’t need to have this negative connotation – if fact, it should not if you want to see lasting successes. Understanding why you gravitate towards certain foods, why you may avoid exercising, or even why your relationships may not be working out the way you’d hoped feels empowering, leading to a greater sense of confidence that cascades throughout your life. Once you have that why in your back pocket, you can then focus on how to best integrate that knowledge into your life.

However, this is another place that many fall down. Going cold-turkey and attempting a 180 change in your life may work for a little while, but without proper support and education on whether that is the best approach for you can mean a slow slide back into unhealthy habits. Defining actionable, sustainable steps that you can commit to is important to define at the outset. That’s not to say you won’t still stumble along the way, but remembering why you’re making the change and keeping an eye towards your goals can help get your stride back before too long.

One thing that comes to mind is a common concern I hear quite often – I don’t want to give up bread or pasta. It seems like every food option out there has this in it, not to mention that it’s delicious!  Initially, it may be necessary to temporarily eliminate certain inflammatory foods to allow the body to heal, but it doesn’t have to be the cold turkey approach. Removing these items from your diet for about four weeks with the intention to restore your gut health is a crucial step, while you still have control of the trajectory, that will allow you to eat foods you love for much longer. This period of elimination helps to reset your digestive system paving the way for better overall health.

As mentioned earlier, the good news is that this can be a temporary change. As your body heals, you can gradually reintroduce these foods into your diet. You might find that you need to be more selective about the quality of the foods you consume, but opting for fresh, locally-baked sourdough bread, for instance, which is often easier to digest and more nutritious, can be a much better choice than highly processed options like Wonder Bread. This shift not only allows you to continue enjoying the foods you love but also enhances their nutritional benefits and your overall well-being.

Working with a skilled practitioner can provide guidance, support, and personalized strategies to help you make sustainable changes at a pace that works for you. They can help you understand the temporary nature of dietary restrictions and the long-term benefits of healing your body. With their assistance, you can embark on your health journey with confidence, knowing that positive change is within reach and that the foods you love can still have a place in your life.