When it comes to improving our health, the biggest obstacles are often the quiet little stories we tell ourselves.
“I’ll sign up for that yoga class when I lose ten pounds.”
“I can’t join that hiking group, I won’t know anyone.”
“I don’t have time right now.”
“I’ll start next week. Or next month. Or next year.”
Over the years, I’ve heard all these rationalizations. But believing these thoughts can quietly build a wall between you and your healthiest self. Here are seven of the most common mindsets that can keep people stuck, and how to move past them.
1. “I need to get in shape before I join a class.”
Scroll through photos health classes and it’s easy to imagine everyone inside is in great shape, coolly holding plank pose in matching Lululemons. Just deciding what to wear to a class like that sounds exhausting.
Luckily, I’ve worked and practiced in enough fitness studios to know that the people in those rooms represent every stage of the journey. In Oregon, I once taught a yoga class where a regular student named Bret showed up for the first time in his late sixties. He had never practiced yoga before. At first, he did only what he could, sometimes barely reaching past his knees in a forward bend.
But he kept showing up. Week after week, he gained flexibility and confidence. Eventually, one day he bent forward and nearly touched his toes for the first time in decades.
Progress like that happens every day in studios across Santa Cruz, where you can find classes The key is simple: you don’t get in shape before you start. You get in shape because you start.
2. “It would be awkward to go alone.”
Another common hesitation is the fear of walking into a group where everyone already seems to know each other. But taking that small social risk often leads to something surprisingly valuable: connection.
Shared activities are one of the easiest ways to expand your social circle. You already have something in common with the people around you, you all showed up to share the same experience. Check out our local MeetUp groups if you need some inspiration.
3. “I don’t have time!”
Exercise doesn’t have to come in one solid block.
Ten minutes of stretching in the morning. A quick walk after lunch. A short strength session in the living room. These small pieces add up to make a big difference in strength, flexibility and mood.
Simple tools help too: a pair of walking shoes by the door, a yoga mat in the corner, a set of hand weights nearby. Consistency matters far more than duration.
4. “If I’m going to eat healthier, I need a complete revamp.”
The same all-or-nothing thinking shows up in nutrition. People often assume that eating better requires a total diet overhaul, and then they’re confused about which regime to follow.
In reality, lasting change usually begins with small shifts.
Switch to extra virgin olive oil. Portion your meals to match Harvard’s MyPlate. Swap sugary drinks, including bottled juices and smoothies for water. Add several servings of beans to your weekly menu. Over time, small improvements reshape habits without overwhelming your routine.
5. “Calories are calories, it doesn’t matter how or when you get them”
What we eat matters, but so does how we eat. And we’re living in a nation of grab and go speed-eaters.
I once had a boss who liked to announce, “We’re on Internet speed” to motivate his employees to work faster. We rush through meals, eating while driving, working, or scrolling.
Irregular eating patterns can disrupt energy levels, digestion, and metabolism. Simply sitting down for meals, eating more slowly, and maintaining consistent meal times can make a surprising difference.
6. I’ll just scroll myself to sleep
This common health barrier shows up at bedtime.
Sure you can function on 6 hours of sleep, but it’s not in your long-term best interest. Chronic sleep deprivation affects nearly every system in the body, from immune function to mood to weight regulation.
Sometimes the most powerful wellness habit isn’t more protein or a harder workout, it’s a good night’s sleep.
7. There’s no reason to leave my comfort zone
Your comfort zone may feel cozy, but it isn’t necessarily doing your health any favors.
The good news is that the path forward doesn’t require perfection. It simply requires beginning, exactly where you are. Because the healthiest version of you isn’t waiting in some distant future. It’s built in the choices you make today.
Elizabeth Borelli is a local wellness advocate and workshop teacher. To learn more about the plant-based Mediterranean Diet recipes, programs and workshops, visit ElizabethBorelli.com
