When it comes to making healthy choices, many of us often wait for the right moment or to feel motivated to start. However, health isn’t something that should be put off until we feel “ready” or even “motivated” or until it becomes “easy”.

Stop Waiting for the Right Time

The truth is, we will never feel ready, motivated and it will never be easy. We live in a culture where convenience, the nonstop quest for comfort, and the expectation of big results without big effort often sets us up for unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

Why It’s Hard—And Why That’s Okay

We are incredibly busy with myriad commitments- family, work, and more- and significant life obstacles that make prioritizing our health difficult. However, in every area of our lives we have a great many things we just do without thinking or stopping to see if we feel “motivated”. 

Health Is Built in the Ordinary

Health isn’t built through big, dramatic changes that ultimately fizzle out. It’s about small, everyday decisions that compound over time. Sometimes, the hardest part is just starting.

Whether it’s choosing a nutritious, protein-rich meal or squeezing in a walk after work, doing it—even when you’re busy, tired, or not feeling particularly motivated—is what sets you up for success. Motivation can be fleeting, but consistency creates real change. Just as we don’t wait to feel motivated to complete work tasks, do laundry, or take care of our loved ones, we shouldn’t wait to feel motivated to take care of ourselves. 

When you approach health from this mindset, it stops being about a temporary fix and becomes about creating a sustainable routine that helps you feel your best. Health is not just about avoiding illness or getting to a specific weight; it’s about stewarding your body, mind, and spirit well.

Do It Tired. Do It Busy. Do It Frustrated. Do It Anyway.

The key to making change that lasts is simply to do it—do it consistently and do it now—whether it’s making wise nutrition choices, prioritizing good quality and quantity sleep, or fitting in a workout. The benefits of this mindset are transformative, and it’s the foundation of long-term well-being. Making the small choices day by day- no matter how we feel or what else we have going- on leads to big change and has the potential to transform our lives. We all know what we should be doing, but the trick is actually to do it for the long-term. 

Adaptability Is the Way of Consistency

Expect it’s going to be hard. Expect you will have a million reasons each day not to take action and find ways to adapt and do it anyway. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, has a brilliant quote about consistency: 

“In theory, consistency is about being disciplined, determined, and unwavering. In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Find different ways to show up depending on the circumstances. Let your habits change shape to meet the demands of the day. Adaptability is the way of consistency.”

Your Action Plan for Doing It Anyway:

Practically speaking, what does it look like to do it _______ (insert: tired, busy, frustrated, or when you don’t feel like it)? 

1. Make a plan– Once a week or even once a month, plan out your upcoming meals. Schedule your workouts ahead of time. Make a plan for how you will get adequate sleep each night. Don’t leave your bedtime to chance or nutrition decisions to the end of a tiring day!
2. Make it easy– What can you do now to make your next day a little bit easier? Set your workout clothes or pack your lunch before heading to bed each night. Log your meals the night before in your tracking app. Fill your bottle ahead of time. Double your recipes so you can freeze some macro-friendly meals for hectic days. Keep some single-macro foods on hand that you can pull together quickly
3. Automate as much as possible– build habits and routines that you can fall back on so you have fewer decisions to make in the day. Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Rely on repeat meals and leftovers when you’re in a busy or tiring season. Make a list of favorite meals and simply rotate through those. Do the same things at the same times as much as possible and lean into those routines when life becomes hectic. 
4. Scale it down– Aim for what you can do consistently and let that be good enough. If you are not in a season of hitting your macros 7/7 or doing lengthy workouts, adjust your goals to what is attainable for you in this season. Can you aim for 5/7 green days instead? Or can you focus on hitting your protein every day? Can you sneak in a walk at lunchtime when your 45 minute workout just isn’t possible?  As Voltaire wisely counseled- “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”.
5. Craft contingency plans. If/then statements are an incredibly helpful tool because they create a clear path for action and reduce decision-making stress in the moment. They tell your brain what action to take in unexpected situations, linking triggers to desired actions in order to build new, healthier habits and improve self-control. Think through your current pain points with your habits and devise your own if/then statements to address recurring situations. Here are a few examples:
   1. If I don’t get my planned workout in, I will walk for 10 minutes around the neighborhood.
   2. If I get stuck at work and I can’t make my planned dinner, I will pick up a rotisserie chicken and bagged salad from the store.
   3. If I am too tired to eat my dinner, I will make myself a protein shake or smoothie bowl. 

Don’t Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good

The phrase “Do it anyway” isn’t about striving for perfection, waiting for the perfect time, or feeling motivated. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard, even when life gets in the way, and even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about building small, consistent habits that, over time, lead to big results. So, the next time you’re faced with a decision about your health, remember: Do it ________.