Looking to make healthy lifestyle changes?
As someone who has lost 100 pounds and kept it off for over 16 years, here’s my advice:
Don’t make things bigger than they have to be.
Instead, focus on making one small change and building on it.
Let’s say you’re looking to lose body fat.
“I’m gonna go on a diet,” you say to yourself.
Simple.
But in your head, you may actually be thinking…
“I’m gonna go on a diet. Okay. That means I need to start eating less… and probably eating healthier foods. Welp, guess it’s time to give up foods I enjoy. I should probably stop ordering out and start cooking more of my own meals, too. So… I should go to the grocery store and buy healthy foods. How much does that cost? Maybe I should meal prep? When am I gonna find time for that? If I meal prep, does that mean I have to stop having dinners out with my friends? I have to go on a diet for HOW long? Ah, screw this.”
Not so simple.
Thankfully, there’s a less stressful, more sustainable path.
If you want to make healthier choices, all you need to do right now is make one small change to your existing circumstances, and then build on it over time.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say your usual breakfast is a frappuccino and a blueberry muffin from Starbucks, because you commute to work and it’s convenient to grab on the go.
That breakfast is around 550 calories.
If you swapped the blueberry muffin for oatmeal with blueberries on top, you’d save 170 calories and increase your fiber and vitamin intake. If you got a small instead of a large frappuccino, you’d save an additional 150 calories.
Over time, you can build on this small change in other areas of your life.
Maybe by changing your breakfast you begin developing mindfulness around your overall nutrition, and start making healthier choices at lunch, dinner, and for snacks.
Maybe because you’re eating more nutritious foods, you’re more energized and start walking more or taking the stairs at work.
Maybe because you’re moving more often, you’re more mindful of being active and begin exercising twice a week.
Before you know it, you’ve built a foundation of healthy behaviors across nutrition, mindset, and exercise… all from swapping out a blueberry muffin for breakfast.
If you’re feeling worried or overwhelmed about making healthier choices in your life, it’s okay. It’s natural. Change can be scary.
But big changes always start with one small step.
How can you take one for yourself today?
If you want help figuring out what that small change can be, I’d recommend joining my coaching program.
You’ll get a personalized plan covering nutrition, movement, stress management, and healthy lifestyle design, all tailored to your unique circumstances.
As someone who’s helped people around the world lose fat, build muscle, spend more time on what’s important to them, and live healthier lifestyles, I’m confident it will work for you.
Hope this helps.
❤ Ian
Ian Estabrook 