The Part That We Need To Remember: Every Change Requires a Sacrifice

Not gonna hold your hand when I say this - because you’re a grown adult and can hear the truth without someone being super gentle - we can do this.

Ready?

Okay. Here it is.

EVERY BEHAVIOR CHANGE REQUIRES A SACRIFICE.

EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.

Not some big, dramatic, miserable, “give up something you love” kind of sacrifice, but in a real adult trade-off kind of way. In the way that we actually know is required of change, but is still sometimes hard to actually accept and process. And the lack of acceptance around these sacrifices can kind of take us by surprise when we are in the middle of these changes. As if we didn’t expect something would have to give.

Here’s how it usually plays out - we set a goal. We feel a bit motivated to get started, because we imagine what the outcome might be. We start to feel great about implementing these changes, and how our bodies are responding to them…but then we realize what has been put aside in order to DO these things. But just like in life - nothing is for free. There is always a cost for things - including goals.

If you want to go to bed earlier, you will likely need to sacrifice watching that second episode of your favorite Netflix show

If you want to strength train consistently, you may need to sacrifice sleeping in or take time out of your lunch break.

If you want to improve your nutrition, you may have to sacrifice the convenience of fast food or spontaneity of nights out.

If you want to feel less anxious in your body, you might have to sacrifice the comfort of staying in the same patterns and shifting the narratives on how you TALK about your body.

Sacrifice isn’t inherently a bad thing - giving up or changing one thing that you are comfortable with or used to doesn’t mean it’s problematic - it means you are growing and adjusting to make way for things that are important to you now. But psychologically, humans don’t love loss. We don’t love change. Our brains like consistency.

This, in the behavior change circle - is what we call…loss aversion. We feel the pain of losing something more strongly than we feel the excitement of gaining something new. Even if that something new is something that we are planning for and really want. Even when that goal, and that new behavior is WORTH it to you…our brain is over here whispering “but I don’t WANNNNNNA give that up”.

And that, my friend - is where people often quit. Not because the goal wasn’t important, not because they didn’t want it. Not because they weren’t capable of making the change. But because they never consciously decided what they were willing to trade or sacrifice in order to implement these new changes.

So if you are in the mix of making lifestyle changes for your health - and the alarm goes off an hour earlier, or your friends are going out for a round of drinks after work, or the couch feels a hell of a lot more enticing than the gym…and it FEELS like you are giving everything up to do this new thing…that something is being taken away from you, instead of something that is being CHOSEN.

And that distinction matters. Because when we decide to create change - we need to not only own that choice & the decision to DO IT, but also own the things that come along with that change (ya know…the sacrifices necessary to see it through).

When you decide ahead of time “I am choosing earlier bedtimes over Netflix right now” or “I’m choosing grocery shopping & meal prep over winging it” or “I am choosing to feel a little uncomfortable at the gym so I can build confidence & strength later” That sacrifice is more intentional, and is build INTO the decision to change. It is an understood part of the process - not a surprise or unforeseen outcome. It then feels like an empowered choice that you are willingly setting aside for the lifestyle that feels more impactful and important now.

AND HERE IS WHERE WE BRING BACK THE ALL CAPS:

MAKING SACRIFICES DOES NOT MEAN GIVING UP JOY.

MAKING SACRIFICES DOES NOT MEAN NOT BEING FLEXIBLE.

MAKING SACRIFICES DOES NOT MEAN TAKING AWAY THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

So by taking ownership and accountability for these sacrifices, it means you are being totally honest with what you want MOST in this season. BECAUSE YOU CANNOT - I REPEAT - CANNOT have every outcome you want without trading something for it. Time, energy, attention, comfort…something’s gotta give.

And honestly - when clients work through this with me - not just on what they are eating, or what they are doing in their workouts - but in how they manage expectations and understand what it all looks like when we zoom out and look at your day/week/month/LIFESTYLE? That is where the shift really takes place. We get clarity.

Take a step back. Look at the goals you have - and ask: what am I willing to trade for this. What would NEED to be traded for this. What am I NOT willing to trade? Would the outcome still be possible if I did NOT make this sacrifice?

If you’re feeling frustrated lately - like you know what to do, but aren’t doing it - this may in part be what is happening. That you haven’t fully consciously accepted that trade-off yet. BUT ONCE YOU DO? That friction you feel starts to drop, the resentment softens, and that consistency becomes easier. The intention behind that sacrifice is tied to the outcome you want. And the sacrifices are not being FORCED on you - but you are CHOOSING them for the desired outcome. And that, babies…is owning your shit.

AND - if after all this - it still feels like the deeper layer that you may be missing - that you are on board with all this, but like…may need someone to help guide you through this….I've got you. This is one of the most impactful parts of health coaching. We all know what healthy eating looks like, we all know exercise and steps are important - but implementing this into our lives and what it actually takes to DO THAT??? That is where coaching can be a game changer. Click below to chat about it!