Have you said to yourself, "I just don't have time to start a diet."

Have you used the excuse, “I just don’t have time to start a ‘diet’ right now”?

Or thought, “Diet? I just can’t think about it right now.”

Don’t feel bad. You have very good reason to feel this way. And you are in good company.

Here’s the legit problem at play. The idea of a ‘diet’ is just simply overwhelming. And think about the nasty feelings that arise when you ponder this gargantuan endeavor?

• Memory and shame of past failure. (UGGG!)
  
• Time consuming and expensive overhaul of cupboards and fridge. (WHAT?!!)
  
• All-consuming overhaul of our daily habits. (OH BROTHER!)
  
• Hunger and restriction. (SAVE ME!!!!)
  

No wonder we avoid it. We don’t avoid the ‘diet’ as much as avoid the “feeling” of being on the diet. But let's be honest. Saying that we don’t have time or head space to consider a ‘diet’ is also an excuse. Let's move past excuses.

So, let’s break this down, shall we?

First of all, can we please do away with the word “diet”? That’s a stingy, useless, no good, mean-teacher word. Let’s usher in a new way of thinking about this. Something along the lines of an ‘ever improving healthy lifestyle.’

At the heart of this revised concept is the idea that we are always looking to improve from the perspective of our current starting point. And it suggests that small changes are as useful as massive overhaul.

Now that we have a better title for our actions, let’s consider this clear, clean, succinct mission: “I will make the best possible choices whenever possible to bring about a health transformation.”  We can even shorten it to, “I’ll do the next right thing.”

So, what is the ‘next right thing’ in action?

You get hungry at 4 PM. You walk into a convenience store looking for a snack. You walk past the chips, energy bars, and chocolate covered pretzels and pick up unsalted cashews and water. Boom, your health revolution just got started. A twinge of pride just tickled your gut.

BUT…the story continues later that night. You get home and your husband made of lasagna and bread for dinner. Uh oh, maybe not the best choice if you are now a health revolutionary. Go ahead and enjoy that meal. Don’t worry about it. However, because you're the type to snack before bed, grab an apple and brew a cup of tea instead of that big bowl of popcorn and cookies.

Two great choices in the span of six hours. Yeah, your revolution continues. Perfection was never the intent. Improvement was the guiding principle.

The more we string together these small moments together, the results will flow.

What are some excuses you have used to put off getting healthy? Any success stories about how you moved past that stage?

Warm hugs and love, Nick