I am drinking enough water, getting enough activity throughout the day, exercising a certain amount of times a week, eating high protein breakfasts - things like that, which at one point were goals and now they are habits in my life. They are things I do everyday without even thinking of them.

In the past, I focused on quick fixes, mostly diets that left me hungry and discouraged. I’d see some progress, but it never lasted because I was only addressing the surface. Over time, I realized I needed to understand what was driving those patterns and find an approach that made me feel nourished and supported. Once I shifted my focus from restriction to balance, everything started to feel more sustainable.

Structure creates freedom. Setting small routines or checkpoints keeps me grounded and helps me stay focused, even when life gets unpredictable. It’s not about controlling every moment, but about creating a rhythm I can return to. That sense of consistency has made everything else feel a little easier and more manageable.

Realizing that I can progress with small steps when I can’t take big ones. Before, I used to start and stop exercise programs without allowing room for the middle. Now, I focus on whatever movement I can fit in each day, without judging myself for it not being “enough.” I’ve made progress by taking small steps when I can’t take big ones. This has brought me consistency in exercise.