I’m a perfectionist. I’ve always done that and probably will continue to do so in some capacity. Therefore, my health improvement journey has been a struggle. Somewhere in his 21 years, before I started trying to change my life, I had the idea that if I couldn’t do it perfectly the first time, I wouldn’t be able to do it at all. I’m sure some of you have felt the same way, especially when it comes to your health. I can’t count the number of times I’ve stuck to a goal for a week or two, but then I’m bound to run into a birthday party, a night out, or something else that might challenge my newly formed habits. I always felt like this was a zero-sum game. Have you ever defaulted to healthy habits, but since you’re making zero progress, you might want to give up? Many of us who have embarked on a journey to improve our holistic health have experienced this, and it’s okay. The only thing more damaging than a day, week, or month of setbacks is believing that the progress you’ve made up to that point means nothing because you’re not perfect. is.
This is where progress is more important than perfection. Recognizing that I’m making progress but not perfect is how I’ve been able to change my habits over the past six months. Instead of blaming myself for not exercising one day or eating something unhealthy, I recognize that overcoming these habits is a longer journey than I believed. . Crash diets, unrealistic social expectations, and “quick weight loss” schemes have skewed my view of health for a decade, and I know I’m not alone in this. If it’s been ingrained in you for too long, it will inevitably take more than a few months to completely change your mindset. Giving yourself grace on this journey to feeling better is more important than absolute perfection. But for these changes to be sustainable, you need to want to feel good.
It takes dedication to make that progress and change your lifestyle. I started by increasing my fiber and protein intake through whole foods and reducing simple carbohydrates and sugar in my diet. It only took a few weeks for me to feel more present in my body, have more energy, and sleep better. But it took me months to turn these habits into daily habits. Instead of giving in to my remaining desire, I woke up the next day and continued working on the goal I had always wanted. My world doesn’t stop when I eat chicken strips, and I promise yours won’t either. For a more nutritious meal, pair the chicken strips with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or a simple garden salad. It is important to add what you need to satisfy your cravings in a healthier way, and after eating, move on to achieving your goals. The name of the game is progress, not perfection. But when I tell you, I went from needing a nap during the day to work to having the energy to go all day without yawning, I’m telling you the truth. I’m talking.
I’m only 6 months into my journey to perfection, so I’m no expert. But what I can say is that I have never felt better in my life than I do today, and every day gets even better. I started with eating because I didn’t have the energy to incorporate exercise into my routine, but now I have too much energy to sleep if I don’t exercise. That’s a great problem. If I had just told myself I wouldn’t eat something the first time I tried it and given up, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. To be honest, it probably happened within a week of starting the journey. The name of this game is “Grace”. Give to yourself and others. Remember, it’s not all about perfection, it’s about overall progress.
For more information about local health and wellness, visit: www.tillamookcountywellness.org Or, follow Tillamook County Wellness on Facebook and Instagram.
