One common theme I see when I meet people is they have very specific questions on things that they are using to avoid change.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s ok to have questions. But some questions are there to find more reasons not to start than they are to find ways TO START.
I get it.
We feel we need to research research research but if all we do is continue gathering information and not take action, nothing will ever change.
If you are on the side of the road with a flat tire, you might open YouTube and look up “How to change a Flat Tire”. You could call Peerless Tires right down the street from us in Northglenn and ask them about a better quality tire. You can research another route to go on next time to avoid construction so there will be less nails on the road.
None of those things matter unless you change your tire.
It’s the same for our weight loss, health improvements, diet changes, or fitness routines. You have to stop asking questions and just start doing.
It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of nutrition science, debating whether one superfood is superior to another. Or what personal training gym near me is best. (Well, no need to research that – you already did and found us hee hee.)
For many of us, the real challenge isn’t about choosing between edamame and broccoli—it’s about making the habit of eating vegetables regularly. Making the habit of hitting the gym regularly.
Let’s talk about why focusing on basic actions, rather than optimal choices, is crucial when you’re starting out.
The Common Trap of Dietary Perfectionism
It’s a question that nutrition forums and health blogs have seen a thousand times: “Is this food better than that food?” While such questions matter to a degree, they often serve as a distraction from a more important issue: Are we eating enough healthy foods consistently?
Why Action Beats Perfection
Before you research the nutritional value of kale versus spinach, ask yourself a more fundamental question: How often do vegetables make it onto my plate? If the answer is “not often enough,” then your focus should first be on building the habit of eating vegetables regularly, not on the specifics that yield marginal benefits.
Practical Steps to Take Now:
- Plan Your Meals: Start by planning simple meals that include protein and vegetables. This could be something as easy as adding chicken and greens to your dinner or snacking on carrots and hummus and Applegate farms turkey.
- Shop Smart: When you shop, make protein and vegetables a top priority on your list.
- Prepare in Advance: Spend some time preparing vegetables and cooking the protein after you shop so that they’re easy to use in meals during the week.
Keep in mind what I posted on my personal Facebook Page recently
“If you haven’t PLANNED HOW you’ll get healthy food cooked and onto your plate to eat… Stop worrying if food A is better than food B. Because you’ll be eating food P – Pantry, without a plan.”
Focusing on getting any vegetables and lean proteins into your diet is more beneficial than worrying about the perfect vegetable to eat. Once you’ve established a strong habit of including vegetables in your meals, then you can tweak and optimize your diet.
Remember, consistent good choices lead to lasting health benefits, not occasional perfect ones.
Ready to get started with us on your health and fitness journey? Having a coach can take away the confusion and SPEED up your results!
Click here to book a 10 minute phone call with Coach Jennifer to get started!