Resistance to Changing our Lifestyle

It often surprises me that we can be so resistant to making simple changes to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

I would even say some of us can be downright defiant! Even if those simple changes can completely transform our health (and our lives!). Why do you think that is?

The most common health issues my clients, and indeed most women, experience are digestive issues, type 2 diabetes, menstrual problems (e.g. endometriosis) and migraines.

What if I told you that all of these frustrating, and often debilitating, health issues can be prevented, cured, or improved?

Because they can be. More simply than you might imagine. Perhaps you’ve already guessed how….

YES! Lifestyle changes.

Why should I change?

We, humans, are inherently resistant to change, so we often take the path of least resistance (aka the easy way out).

Perhaps we don’t trust our own intuition and don’t believe that we personally have the ability to change our health.

We put our trust implicitly in the health care system and well-meaning doctors. Often this leads to medication instead of lifestyle changes. But do you really want to take a tablet every day for the rest of your life?

Would you choose surgery instead of being mindful of the food you put in your body?

Even just choosing how we move our body and decreasing our stress levels can have radical changes on our physical, mental, and emotional health!

Go to bed at the same time every night.

Create a morning routine.

Speak more kindly to yourself.

Just these simple step-changes will dramatically transform your health.

But my uncle and grandparents had it

One of the more common reasons (ummm excuses) people use is: It’s just in my family. It’s genetic.

Consider that perhaps the reason why a health issue is ‘in the family’ might be that we adopt similar lifestyle patterns as the people who raised us / we live with?

We often eat the same, move the same and think the same. Of course, there are exceptions to this - but in all my years of working with clients - it’s most often that ‘lifestyle’ is in the family, as opposed to the health issue.

And even if it is in the family, making changes to your lifestyle will still have a positive impact.

Research and ask questions. Work with a coach. Find solutions!

What can I do differently?

As a gut health coach, my best piece of advice will always be - cut out processed foods (basically anything that comes in a packet) and eat your veggies ladies!

Are you getting headaches or migraines often? Perhaps you have a gluten intolerance, or maybe dairy sets it off.

Stress is a massive reason for so many health issues. So, what can you do to help?

Understand what causes stress (.....it’s called overwhelm)
Learn the tools that have been proven to prevent and reduce stress (.....anyone heard of mindfulness?)

Go for walks to clear your head. Breathe fresh air. Go to the beach.

Go biking. Meditate. Light a candle while lying in the bath.

How do I start to change my lifestyle?

For most of us, it is easier to make small incremental changes. What can you change in your lifestyle now?

Experiment and assess what works for you.

How often do we hear a friend say “I know I need to eat better and move more” but they do nothing! It’s so frustrating for me because I care deeply about women and their health.

Make a commitment to yourself that as of tomorrow you’re going to improve your gut health by implementing one of these tips:

Have a green juice every morning for breakfast
Have a sugar free Saturday
Look in the mirror every morning and say “I love and honour myself” (sounds easy right?!?)
Ditch the booze for a week
Cut out carbs for 5 days
Enjoy a self-care Sunday (meditate, read, stay off socials, do a face mask….the facial kind - not the covid kind!)
Commit to taking a stroll for 20 mins every day