Written by Michael Reavis Jr. MS, RD, LDN

What can I do today to make any change?

Where do I begin?

What is the number one piece of nutrition advice you could give me to make a difference today?

When working with clients these are common questions I am asked. And they are great questions. With so much misinformation sometimes getting down to the point is the best way to go. Early in my practice, my response would have been related to an easy habit to add such as having a breakfast containing fiber, incorporating more veggies into lunch, or taking a look at – hydration status.

Yet, lately these questions have had me thinking about what the true answer is. Is it actually the habit to add or are there factors that are more important? A recent discussion had me really stop and think about this. Although building habits is a huge part of making any nutrition lifestyle change, finding support and finding your confidence in health is the greatest indicator.

What do you even mean by this?

Time and time again, in working with clients, we leave the first meeting thrilled. We have a great plan, I think we set some awesome and achievable goals, and confidence is at an all time high. We may touch base early on in that first week and things are going so well, but then life hits. Maybe work went a bit late and we had to grab food on the way home, maybe we couldn’t get to the grocery store to pick up our staples so lunches for the week had to be changed, or any number of obstacles got in the way. 

Well it is just one obstacle, who can’t overcome that?

One obstacle is never just one. Often in the process towards health that first obstacle returns us to the thought process that we cannot do this. That we can’t be healthy. We do not have the will power or strength to be healthy. “I just don’t have it in me.” I’ve heard it countless times, as though it is strength and will that dictate health. 

I am here to say it isn’t. Those that find success and make change are those that find support systems whether from their family, from a meal or food service that helps spread the weight, or countless other ways to keep them going. In this era it is normalized that people “got here all on their own,” that they created their success, but that is far from the truth.

Yes, internal motivation is part of the equation, but success is often seen in those who have the support to keep going. 

So what is my number one recommendation?

Set yourself up for success. Life will always get in the way of your goals and make you feel as though you cannot achieve them. Find what builds you up, maybe it is coming home to your groceries being delivered. Maybe it is that walk that frees your mind after work. Maybe you and your significant other or friend create a plan/guide on how to get this done. Or maybe it is finding an RD or health provider that promotes this confidence.

So yes, we need to make changes to our habits – no habit is unbreakable. But, when those obstacles come into play we also need to find the ability to overcome them, make quick changes and find a way to keep going forward.