You’ve probably heard me say this before: a good healthy eating plan isn’t a diet. It’s a lifestyle.
And that's because there’s a big difference between the two...
A diet is something you start and stop. A lifestyle is something that becomes part of who you are.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching thousands of women transform their relationship with food, exercise, and their health. And I’ve noticed something interesting: the women who are able to make healthy living a lasting part of their lives tend to share several qualities.
They aren’t perfect. They don’t always eat perfectly. They don’t always feel like exercising. And they certainly have seasons when life gets in the way.
But they’ve learned how to keep moving forward.
Here are six qualities I’ve seen in people who have successfully made healthy eating and movement an enjoyable way of life.
1. They Strive for Progress, Not Perfection
Too many goals are never achieved because we’re waiting for everything to be perfect.
And just as often, goals are abandoned the moment things don’t go perfectly.
But perfection isn’t required to make progress.
In fact, perfection is an illusion that can create more stress than success.
My first few years of changing my eating habits were filled with ups and downs. There was great food, terrible food, successes, mistakes, and everything in between.
My mom’s healthy eating journey was much the same.
But neither of us gave up.
We simply continued to strive for progress, even when that progress looked like the tiniest little win.
Maybe today you make one healthier choice. Maybe you get outside for a 10-minute walk. Maybe you drink more water. Maybe you choose to get back on track after a weekend that didn’t go as planned.
Those little wins matter.
Don’t let an imperfect day convince you that you’re failing. Instead, ask yourself: What is one small step I can take today?
2. They Understand That Deprivation Isn’t Necessary
One of the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating is that it has to be boring, restrictive, or miserable.
It doesn’t.
Healthy eating should still be delicious!
I never want women to feel like taking care of their health means saying goodbye to all the foods they love. Instead, it’s about learning how to prepare and enjoy food in a way that supports your health.
Craving pizza? There are healthy ways to enjoy it.
Want Mexican food? Make it!
Have a serious chocolate craving? There are delicious options for that, too.
When you have a variety of flavorful, satisfying meals available to you, healthy eating becomes so much easier to maintain.
The goal isn’t to spend the rest of your life feeling deprived. The goal is to learn how to enjoy food while also taking care of the body God has given you.
3. They Continue to Try New Things
I’ll be the first to admit that we have plenty of repeat meals in the Price house.
We have our favorites. Our “go-to” meals make meal planning and meal prep much easier, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having meals you know your family loves.
But we also make an effort to try new things.
Why?
Because eating the same meals over and over can eventually become boring. And boredom is one of the quickest ways to make healthy eating feel like a chore.
You don’t need to try a brand-new recipe every night. That would probably be overwhelming!
Instead, try adding one new meal to your routine each month.
That’s enough to discover a few new favorites without making meal planning complicated.
You may even find yourself looking forward to trying something new.
4. They Make Movement Fun
Exercise can get boring quickly when you do the exact same workout over and over again.
I’ve been a consistent exerciser since I was 16, and over the years I’ve done just about everything: gym workouts, home workouts, workout videos, group personal training, walking with friends, and running programs.
And I’ve learned that there isn’t one “right” way to move your body.
The best exercise is often the exercise you enjoy enough to keep doing.
Maybe you love walking.
Maybe you enjoy strength training.
Maybe you like dancing, swimming, gardening, cycling, or working out from home.
And if your ability to exercise is limited, that doesn’t mean you can’t move. There are gentle forms of movement that can be adapted to your abilities, including exercises that can be done from a chair.
Don’t worry about finding the perfect workout.
Find movement that you enjoy and that works for your body in the season of life you’re in right now.
5. They Surround Themselves With People Who Understand
Not everyone in your life is going to be on the same page when it comes to health.
And that’s okay.
We can pray for the people we love, encourage them through our own example, and give them grace when their choices look different from ours.
But there is something incredibly valuable about having people around you who understand what you’re trying to accomplish.
People who will pray for you when things feel difficult.
People who will celebrate with you when you reach a milestone.
People who understand why you’re choosing a certain meal or making time for a walk.
We were never meant to do everything alone.
Having a supportive community can make such a difference, especially during the seasons when motivation is low.
Look for people who will encourage you rather than shame you. People who will remind you why you started rather than make you feel guilty when you stumble.
6. They Keep Praying About Their Health
This may be the most important quality of all.
It’s easy to pray about our health when we’re first getting started. We ask God for help, discipline, wisdom, and strength.
But as our habits become more established, those specific prayers can sometimes fade away.
I know I’ve been guilty of this myself.
I’ll get into a good rhythm with my health habits and start thinking, I’ve got this.
But our bodies are constantly changing. Our circumstances change. Our seasons of life change.
What worked for you five years ago may not be exactly what you need today.
That’s why we should continue bringing our health before the Lord.
Ask Him for discernment.
Ask Him for patience.
Ask Him for peace.
Ask Him for wisdom about the choices you’re making.
And most importantly, ask Him to help you trust Him with your health rather than believing that everything depends on you.
Because ultimately, our health journey isn’t about achieving some perfect version of ourselves.
It’s about caring for the body God has entrusted to us while trusting Him every step of the way.
Make Healthy Living a Way of Life
If you’re trying to make healthy eating and exercise a lasting part of your life, remember this:
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to deprive yourself. You don’t have to do the same things forever. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Take it one day at a time.
Make small changes.
Try new things.
Find movement you enjoy.
Surround yourself with encouragement.
And keep bringing your journey to God in prayer.
If you’re looking for a simple, faith-centered place to begin, the Food Meets Faith program was created to help you build healthier habits through food, faith, and practical guidance.
Click HERE to learn more and get started on your health journey today »