Why Restarting Healthy Habits Feels Impossible (And How to Fix It)

In partnership with ​The Farmer's Dog​

Today's Newsletter at a Glance:

• Reflecting on a Broken Healthy Habit

• How to Restart a Good Habit

• Don't Let the Past Define Your Future

10 months ago, I was in a rut.

I was lifting consistently, and my diet was decent; however, I had added unwanted body weight.

Additionally, I wasn't metabolically healthy.

My hemoglobin A1c - a 90-day indicator of how well you manage your blood sugar - was 5.9. I was prediabetic.

I resisted running.

Even though I knew better, I refused to do better.

Convincing myself that I was "too busy", "my knee was bothering me", "I'll do it tomorrow".

Shockingly, only a decade ago, I was an endurance athlete.

Marathons, triathlons, and even an Ironman.

Nevertheless, I found myself playing mental gymnastics to avoid the very action I once excelled at.

This poses the question: Why does restarting a healthy habit feel impossible?

Reflecting on a Broken Healthy Habit

Starting a new habit is difficult.

You have to break the pattern of your regular routine.

Restarting a habit can be even more difficult.

Let me clarify, restarting a healthy habit.

Bad habits are easy to fall back into.

Typically, quick dopamine, low effort, short-sighted.

It is the easy route. I'm not referring to these.

Why is reviving a healthy habit so challenging?

Comparison. Guilt. Hopelessness.

You compare yourself to the past version that conquered new heights.

You face guilt when you look in the mirror, knowing you could be better.

You feel as if all hope is lost. "What is the use? I'm already this deep in the hole."

The truth is, it's never too late to get back on the wagon.

Here I am, 10 months later, consistently running.

Am I breaking any records? Far from it.

Am I signing up for the next Ironman? Absolutely, not.

But I don't care.

All I care about is showing up every day.

You can read about doing the work.

You can talk about doing the work.

You can think about doing the work.

None of those things is a substitute for just doing the work.

How to Restart a Good Habit

If you haven't had the chance to read Atomic Habits by James Clear, then do yourself a favor and order it after you get done with this newsletter.

Here is James Clear's step-by-step proven formula for restarting a healthy habit:

1. Re-clarify your identity: focus less on the outcome and reconnect with the identity you want to embody.

2. Start small: drop the expectation of starting where you left off. Start smaller than you think you need to. Forward momentum is the goal.

3. Optimize your environment: once you set sail for the second time, make it easy for you to stay the course and not return to safety.

4. Validation: tracking your progression adds fuel to your motivation to continue.

5. Forgive quickly, resume fast: Missing once is a mistake. Missing twice is a new habit.

James Clear puts it perfectly when he says, "Any action that you take is a vote to become the future self you want to be".

Don't Let the Past Define Your Future

Don't allow the habit that has drifted to become an excuse.

Our life goes through seasons.

Times when we are running into a headwind.

Times when you are pushed forward with a tailwind.

Ups and downs.

Action, despite the circumstances, is the remedy.

Taking the small steps every day is what matters.

Consistently good beats, occasionally great.

1% improvement daily will build the life, health, and future you desire.

Don't let old habits define your future.

Reflect on your life with honesty and identify areas that need prioritization.

Finally, take action. Because if nothing changes, nothing changes.

Our Dogs Deserve Better

Proper nutrition makes us feel better and have more energy throughout the day.

Our dogs deserve the same.

​The Farmer’s Dog doesn’t trade convenience for quality.

Their food is human-grade, made from whole meats and vegetables.

Our dogs have been eating The Farmer’s Dog for the past 3 years and absolutely love it.

Each plan is personalized to the dog, ensuring adequate portions, recipes, and calories.

The Farmer’s Dog makes feeding healthy, simple, and easy, so your pup’s nutrition doesn’t take a back seat when life gets busy.

Dog food should be real food.

If you're ready to have high-quality, human-grade food delivered to your doorstep, ​Click HERE and get 50% off your first order with The Farmer's Dog.