How to Make Healthy Choices When You Lack Motivation

Sometimes I feel so unmotivated.

We all have moments like that.

Nobody is an Energizer Bunny.

What do I mean by motivation? 

The motivation I’m talking about is not found in striving. I”m referring to the get-up-and-go that you have within your spirit, to make lifestyle changes, so that you can reap the health benefits.

Maybe you know you need to make changes, but you are stuck making the next choice. I understand. 

When I was In chiropractic school I was overwhelmed, my energy was low, and I had chronic stomach aches. I was learning about HOW to be healthy in school. But I had no energy to do anything. I had knowledge, but I was weighed down by my symptoms.

I was stuck. 

It took some time, but slowly I learned I had to start by working on my emotional health first, build for longterm health, and look at the bigger picture. 

So, how do you make healthy choices when you lack motivation? Here are 9 motivating truths to help you get unstuck:

1. Set big why goals. Your WHY needs to be bigger than just today or the choice in front of you. It has to be bigger than what you are eating. Why do you want to be healthy and why are you making these choices? Can you see yourself thriving and being healthy? 

My why goals are two-fold: Making sure my gut health is good and that my stress levels are low. When I think about my WHY, it makes each choice a little easier. 

1. Set small goals. We change little by little. Don’t overwhelm yourself with more than you can handle each day. We can change about 1% a day. Think about it. If you stick with small doable goals, at the end of the year you will be over 300% better. Small changes make habits. Many habits together change your lifestyle. (My ebook: Dr. Meghan’s Healthy Living Toolbox will help you simplify your health and break down your goals for your daily life. You can find it here).
2. Enlist the help of family and friends. Be sure to have an accountability partner or a friend who is joining you in making healthy choices. Are you married? Ask your spouse to help you. If you don’t have a lot of in person support, you can find people online who can step in and be on your team.
3. Get knowledgeable on the subject of health. There is so much good content online. Find trustworthy health advocates who can help you learn. Enjoy learning. In the process, you will find yourself less overwhelmed and tools to help you live a healthier life. 
4. Get systems in place. Figure out systems that work for you. It won’t be the same thing for you as it is for me. Do you love to go to the gym? Is it practical in this season of life? Make it happen. If not, find an alternative system that works for you. Set them up. Prepare for the week ahead. A little time spent planning will make your week go so much smoother. 
5. Keep the foods and products in your home healthy. Try to keep your home a place that is truly healthy. If you want a treat—go out and buy it for special occasions only. You will not be tempted to eat unhealthy snacks if you don’t keep them in your home.
6. Check your emotions and stress level. Set yourself up for success by working on our emotional health first. I know personally, there is a lot of power in working through stress levels and emotions even before working on nutrition. 
7. Focus progress. Celebrate the positive. You don’t have to be perfect or dwell on your failures. It is okay to need a reset. Take the steps as they come and keep working and growing and celebrating your progress. 
8. Enjoy it as much as you can. You will get more inspired the healthier you get. Remember your past, and celebrate where you are today. Over weeks and months and years enjoy the journey and keep moving forward. 

My goal for you, myself and for my family is that we do this for the long-term and enjoy health. It isn’t a phase, a fad, 30 days,or yo-yoing up and down. I believe these are some great tools that help you along the way, help you when you are stuck and keep you motivated. 

 Remember, you are not alone.