Being consistent with healthy eating habits is probably one of the most challenging things we do, but it is absolutely possible. We all know that consistency brings results, so why is it so hard to stick with?
Here are some of the most common reasons why we stop being consistent after a few weeks:
- You don’t see or feel results immediately, so you assume it’s is not working.
- Life gets busy and takes over.
- You prioritise other things.
- You don’t prepare or plan ahead.
- You fall back into old habits.
- You set unrealistic routines and expectations.
Being a mum in today’s world is no easy job. The day-to-day struggle is real. From the moment you wake up, you are already planning and organising how your day will run. There’s the school run, getting yourself to work, making dinner, keeping up with endless school emails, laundry, kids after school activities, making sure homework gets done, and playing referee when the kids inevitably argue (my kids are always at it!). The list goes on……and I haven’t even mentioned trying to find time for yourself. It’s exhausting- both mentally and physically.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
What if I told you, it really is as simple as changing the way you see things. Our mind is incredibly powerful. It’s all about perspective. The way you view a situation can completely change how you approach it, and ultimately, the results you get.
I’m in the same position as so many busy mums. To give you some context, I work full time, do extra tuition a few evenings a week, have 2 kids, do the morning school runs in the morning, cook dinners, keep on top of household chores, go to the gym and now I write a weekly blog. Life is busy, and at times it can feel overwhelming.
The biggest change I made wasn’t finding more time- it was changing what I prioritised.
I realised that my health deserved to be at the top of my list, not squeezed in whenever I had a spare moment. Once I made that shift, everything else became easier to organise around it.
I stopped looking at healthy habits as a chore and started seeing them as opportunities to take care of myself.
I have been meal-prepping my lunches for work for many years and I do often get people asking me, how do I do it? How do I manage that every single week and honestly it’s because I think about what that food is doing for my body, it is serving my body well. Spending an hour or so on the weekend preparing healthy meals is a small investment compared to the benefits I get throughout the week.
That simple mindset shift has helped me improve my gut heath and, more importantly, maintain those habits over the years.
There is a brilliant book I read years ago called Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza and it completely changed the way I thought about habits and the power of the mind. That book introduced me to the idea that changing your habits starts with changing the way you think. If you ever get a chance, I recommend you have a read!
Mindset Shifts That Keep Me Consistent:
These are the mindset shifts I come back to whenever life gets busy or I feel myself slipping back to old habits:
- Choose consistency and progress over perfection. Nobody is perfect, and you don’t have to be either.
- Remind yourself that health is one of your greatest assets. Money can’t buy good health, so be kind to your body and nourish it well.
- Make time, not excuses. We all have some extra time in the day. Sometimes it’s just putting the phone down!
- Prioritise food prep. Don’t leave it to- “if you have time.” Instead, say, “I will make time.”
- Remember that you are choosing to eat well for your health and your future body would thank you.
- Remind yourself, you always feel better after eating a nourishing meal than after eating junk.
- Remind yourself that everything is achievable with consistency. Small actions repeated over time lead to big results.
- Instead of focusing on the foods you can’t eat, focus on the delicious, nourishing foods you can add to your meals.
What do I do, when I fall off track?
Life happens. We all have birthdays, holidays, meals out, celebrations and hectic weeks.
When I overeat at an occasion or I eat and drink things I wouldn’t normally have, I just accept it for what it is- a one off. I don’t beat myself up about it or tell myself I failed. Instead, I go straight back to my usual routine at the very next meal.
Remember it’s about what you do most of the time- the 80/20 approach. One day of overindulging, doesn’t mean you have gone back to your old habits, nor would it mean that you have undone all the progress you have made.
Consistency isn’t about never slipping up. It’s about getting back on track without letting one meal, or one weekend turn into giving up altogether. Remember, consistency and progress, not perfection, always win.
How I Made Gut Health A Part Of My Life
Everything we do in life is built around habits and the good news is that we can create new habits that support us.
Living with my gut health issues was exhausting and I knew I had to do something about it, if I wanted to live a different life. I prioritised my health over spending time watching things on YouTube or doom scrolling on my phone- things that do not add value to my life.
I started making small changes to my eating and lifestyle habits, such as setting a bedtime, focusing on foods that help nourish my body, reducing unnecessary snacking and avoiding eating late in the evening. Over time, these choices became a part of my everyday life.
I now eat well, exercise regularly and manage stress- because I know how much better I feel when I do.
Results That Keep Me Disciplined
As a women in my 40’s, I feel great. The years of staying consistent and being aware and conscious of what I eat has helped me support my digestion, improve my energy levels and feel my best.
Like many mums, I go through periods of stress and lack of sleep, which can sometimes lead me to not eating as I normally would. It can feel like a setback, but I remind myself, it is not about the one time things don’t go perfectly. It’s all about what I do consistently over time that makes the biggest difference.
My results keep me motivated because feeling your best is so empowering. When you experience the benefits of looking after yourself, it becomes much easier to continue making choices that support your health.
Final Takeaway
I hope that this post gives you an insight of how I stay consistent even with all the challenges that life brings. Practice being more aware of your thoughts, your choices and the habits you are building and create the healthy life you deserve.
Thanks for taking the time to read! If you enjoyed this post, head over to my website for more simple habits and budget-friendly tips to help you support your gut health without breaking the bank.
👉Read more at: guthealthonabudget.com
I’m a busy mum sharing practical, affordable ways to improve and support your gut health. After improving my own gut health through simple lifestyle and dietary changes, I began sharing my experiences to help other busy mums do the same without expensive supplements, or costly health foods.
Gut health doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming- just realistic, sustainable and achievable for everyday mums. x