The Beautiful, Messy Truth of Lifelong Wellness
Twenty Years On
You know, it’s funny looking back twenty years. I genuinely thought I was on top of my game, health-wise. Not that I was doing anything particularly bad, but more that I just… didn’t know what I didn’t know. My understanding of health was pretty superficial, driven by what I thought healthy looked like on the outside. Oh, the sweet naiveté!
Then, slowly but surely, the cracks started to show. Little aches, persistent tiredness, a general feeling of “meh” that wouldn’t budge. When I finally started to dig in, to understand what was really going on inside my body, a lightbulb went off. And in that moment of newfound awareness, I truly believed change would be quick, instant, even. I’d found the magic formula, right? Just implement this new diet, that new exercise routine, and poof! Instant health guru.
If only it were that simple.
That initial burst of enthusiasm, the rapid improvements you see when you first start making positive changes – that’s a powerful motivator.
But then, for so many of us, the progress slows. The scales don’t budge as easily, those newfound energy levels plateau, and suddenly, the daily effort feels like a grind with less immediate reward. This, my friends, is often where the infamous “law of diminishing returns” kicks in.
In simple terms, the law of diminishing returns suggests that at some point, adding more of an input (like extra effort in your health routine) will result in smaller and smaller increases in output (your health benefits). Imagine you’re building muscle; the first few weeks of consistent weight training might see dramatic gains. But after a year, adding another hour to your workout probably won’t yield the same proportional increase in strength. Or perhaps you’re refining your diet; cutting out initial obvious culprits like processed sugars might have a huge impact, but then obsessing over every single macro might offer only marginal further benefits. It’s the point where you’re putting in a lot of effort, but the returns just aren’t as significant as they once were. And honestly, it can be incredibly disheartening. This is where so many people give up, disappointed that the initial magic has worn off.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned, getting well and staying well isn’t a quick fix or a finite project. It’s a living, breathing, lifelong commitment.
Your body isn’t a static machine; it’s constantly adapting. What worked brilliantly for you two years ago might not be the optimal path now. Things get stable, yes, and you feel fantastic, but then something shifts – age, stress, life circumstances, even just your body evolving – and suddenly, your tried-and-true approach needs an update.
This isn’t a failure. It’s simply a signal that it’s time to adapt your health approach and plan. It’s about tweaking, refining, and sometimes completely overhauling what you’re doing. To see these plateaus or shifts as a personal failure is to miss the fundamental truth that wellness is a dynamic process, unique to every single one of us.
For me, a significant driver of my long-term commitment has been understanding my less-than-favourable family genetics.
For a long time, I felt like I was battling against an invisible tide. But then I delved into epigenetics – the fascinating science of how our lifestyle choices can actually influence how our genes are expressed. It’s not about changing your DNA, but rather about creating an environment where your genes are encouraged to express in a more positive way. This knowledge has been profoundly empowering, reminding me that every healthy choice, no matter how small, gradually contributes to a more positive genetic expression over time.
It’s not a magic bullet, but it’s a powerful whisper of hope.
So, how do we keep going when the going gets tough, when we hit that plateau, or when life throws us a curveball and we fall off the wagon?
Don’t Give Up. Sign Up for the Long Term.
This is the big one. See your health journey as a marathon, not a sprint. There will be stumbles, there will be detours, but the finish line is a healthier, happier you, for life.
And if you do have a fall off the plan – because let’s be honest, we all do – here are my three steps to gently guide yourself back on track:
- Be Honest – Acknowledge what happened without judgment. Did you overindulge? Did you skip workouts for a week? Just state the facts to yourself. No need for self-flagellation.
- Be Gentle – You’re human. Life happens. Don’t beat yourself up. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.
- Be Kind – Offer yourself the same compassion you would a friend. What small, manageable step can you take right now to get back in alignment with your goals? Maybe it’s drinking a glass of water, or going for a short walk. Start small.
Finally, let’s talk about boundaries.
True self-care isn’t just about what you do for yourself; it’s also about protecting that space. What do healthy boundaries look like for you? It might be saying “no” to late-night commitments that disrupt your sleep, or politely declining that extra slice of cake when you know it won’t serve your goals. It could be dedicating specific time each day or week to your exercise or meal prep, and communicating that this time is non-negotiable for your well-being.
And how do we communicate this to others? With clarity, kindness, and firmness.
Something like, “I’m really focusing on my energy levels right now, so I’ll need to head home earlier tonight,” or “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sticking to my meal plan this week to support my health goals.” People who genuinely care about you will understand and respect your commitment to your own well-being.
Twenty years on, I can honestly say I’m healthier, happier, and far more knowledgeable than I was.
It hasn’t been a straight line, and there have been plenty of moments of frustration and self-doubt.
But the beautiful, messy truth is that this journey of wellness is a lifelong adventure, one that’s absolutely worth showing up for, every single day.
RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS
If you’re looking for more support and guidance, here are some valuable resources:
- Book a conversation to see how we can help you with your mindset HERE.
- Have meaningful conversations. Connect with your people deeper by sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use our Flip The Thinking Tool kit and share it with people around you. See how it helps you enrich the connection and conversation.
- Follow along on LinkedIn HERE
- Find out more about our women’s leadership programme HERE