7 Things to Know Before Starting a Health Journey

Are you thinking about starting a health journey but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry. You are not alone!

First and foremost, let me congratulate you on your decision to begin this journey well-informed rather than diving in blindly; you’re already off to a fantastic start!

In this blog post, we will discuss seven things that you need to know before starting out. This information will help set you up for success and make your health journey more enjoyable.

Let’s get started!

• What Is a Health Journey?
• Things to Know Before Starting Your Health Journey
• This Journey Is Both Physical and Mental
• Questions You May Have

What Is a Health Journey?

Before we get into what you need to know before starting your journey, it’s important to understand what a health journey is.

A health journey is simply a term used to define the process of improving your health. This can be done in various ways, such as eating healthier foods, exercising more, and reducing stress levels.

There is no right or wrong way to go about this journey. It’s all about finding what works best for you and sticking to it, no matter what temptations may arise.

You’re about to embark on a personal journey, meaning no one will know what works best for you but you.

You know your body and mind, your likes and dislikes, so don’t get carried away and try to adopt something in your daily life that you know you’ll dislike. Doing so is willingly setting yourself up for failure.

For example:

I have despised ripe bananas since I was a child, and I still don’t like the taste to this very day.

If I have a smoothie or anything that tastes like banana, I will immediately spit it out and rinse the residue from my taste buds. Since I know that my body will reject the banana, it will be counterproductive to try and force myself to eat ripe bananas because they’re high in potassium. To solve this issue, I substitute different foods that have higher potassium than bananas, like avocados or spinach, which are both packed with nutrients and delicious to me.

See how that works? I detest ripe bananas, so I found other foods to take their place.

That’s essentially what you should do, find ways to incorporate the things you already love that are healthy instead of forcing yourself to go cold turkey and do something you hate. Doing this will make your health journey more enjoyable, which means you’ll stick with it forever.

Things to Know Before Starting Your Health Journey

1. Write Down What You Hope to Accomplish

This is the most important thing to do before you embark on your health journey. Write everything you desire and hope to achieve on paper or in your journal.

Having a detailed vision of the person you hope to become will help you become that person quicker.

Write in detail why you want to start your health journey, what health problems you’re looking to improve or prevent, and how you plan on doing so (more on this later).

This is your health journey, meaning the sky’s the limit! So be as specific as possible in what you want to achieve because you can do anything you put your mind to.

2. Do Your Research

Now that you know what you want to achieve on your health journey, it’s time to do some research and figure out how you’re going to make it happen.

This is where having a detailed vision comes in handy because it will serve as a guide while doing your research.

For example, if one of your goals is to eat healthier, then you would research what types of foods are considered healthy and which ones you should avoid.

You might also look into different diets or ways of eating that can help promote better health, such as the vegan diet, Keto diet, or intermittent fasting.

Doing your research is crucial because it will provide you with the information and resources needed to make your health journey a success.

It’s also important to note that you don’t have to follow any specific diet or way of eating. All that matters is that you’re incorporating healthier foods into your diet and are avoiding unhealthy ones.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to health so finding what works best for you is always the best choice to make.

3. Start Small and Gradually Make Changes

If this journey is completely foreign to you, you must start small so you don’t overwhelm yourself.

A health journey is a marathon and not a sprint which means you have to take your time to make lasting changes.

Using the previous example, if your goal is to eat healthier and you’re used to eating burgers and fries with a soda every day, then start by replacing the soda with freshly squeezed fruit juice or water.

You can also try swapping the fries for a side salad or sweet potato fries.

Making small changes like this will help you transition into a healthier lifestyle without feeling like you’re depriving yourself.

It’s also important to make gradual changes so your body can adjust and adapt accordingly. This is especially important if you’re trying to improve your health by changing your diet.

Your body will thank you later!

4. Set Realistic and Achievable Goals

There’s no point in setting yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals.

For example, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds in two months, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment because it’s not a realistic goal.

On the other hand, if your goal is to lose five pounds in two weeks, then that’s a more achievable goal.

It’s important to set goals that challenge you but are still realistic and achievable. This way, you’ll be more likely to achieve them and feel proud of yourself in the process.

5. Track Your Progress 

This is another important step in your health journey because it will help keep you motivated.

Track what you’ve accomplished each week and month by writing it down or keeping a journal. This way, you can look back at all the progress you’ve made and be proud of yourself.

It’s also helpful to track your progress visually by taking a photo of your body before you start your journey and also by doing a full checkup with your doctor.

This way, you can track any changes in your health that might occur due to your new healthy lifestyle.

6. Reward Yourself for Reaching Milestones

Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments!

The best way to keep yourself motivated is by celebrating your achievements along the way.

For example, if you reach your goal of losing five pounds in two weeks, then reward yourself with a day at the spa or the beach.

You can also treat yourself to a healthy meal or snack that you’ve been craving. The options are endless but just make sure your rewards will keep you healthy. Rewarding yourself with unhealthy things will void most of the amazing work you’ve just accomplished, so don’t set yourself back with your celebrations.

Rewarding yourself doesn’t need to include food or alcohol. It can be anything you wanted to try but never had the chance to or anything that makes you happy.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey!

7. Be Patient

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up every now and then. Everyone makes mistakes and falls off the wagon sometimes but getting back on the wagon is what counts.

Do not give up on yourself. This journey requires a lot of patience, dedication, control, and effort.

You didn’t get to where you are now overnight, so don’t expect to fix everything in a short period of time.

Take your time, enjoy the process, and be patient with yourself.

Yes, there will be plenty of times when you think it will be easier to slip back into your old ways but evaluate the pros and cons and the progress you’ve made before doing so. Make your decision be an informed and calculated decision instead of one based on frustration.

Understand that health is a lifetime commitment, and it’s not always going to be easy, but the benefits are worth it.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Make it easier on yourself by researching everything there is to know about a health journey, health tips, lifestyle change, dieting, exercise and eating habits, and healthy living advice.

The more you get to know these topics, the better informed you’ll be when it comes time to make health decisions.

There’s no need to rush anything. Take things one step at a time, and eventually, you’ll feel all the amazing benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Bonus Tip: Find a support system

Whether it’s friends, family, or an online community, it’s important to have a support system when starting your healthy lifestyle journey.

It’s helpful to have people to talk to who are going through the same thing or who have gone through it before.

They can offer advice, motivation, and understanding better than someone who doesn’t live healthily.

They can also help keep you accountable and on track when you feel like giving up.

For example:

If you’re on a weight loss journey, a weight loss community online or in your hometown could be a great place to find support. You could find a workout buddy to hit the gym with who is going to push your exercise limits to the next level.

The bottom line is, you don’t have to go at it alone. Seek out help and support from those who understand and want the best for you.

This Journey Is Both Physical and Mental

Living a healthy life is not just about the physical health benefits. It’s also about improving your mental health.

When you’re feeling good mentally, you’ll be less likely to fall off track with your healthy habits and routines.

Some great ways to improve your mental health are practicing self-care, practicing gratitude, and spending time doing activities that make you happy.

Creating and maintaining a healthy life requires attention, patience, and care. You must stay attentive to your mood and all the changes that will happen in your body. Certain things you will try may have adverse side effects, so make sure to consult your doctor often.

Remember that health is a journey, not a destination. It’s something you have to work on every day for the rest of your life.

However, if you commit and stick with it, eventually it will become a habit and part of who you are.

Your journey is unique to you, so make sure you tailor it to your specific needs and goals.

The most important thing is that you enjoy the process and don’t get stressed out about it.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your health journey today!

Let me know in the comments below what your health goals are and how you plan on achieving them. If you have any tips or advice for others starting their health journey, please share! Also, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more health tips, tricks, and advice! Click here to subscribe now.

Questions You May Have

Pin It!