Connecting with your WHY is fundamental in setting goals for your health and all other areas of your life. Understanding your WHY is essential to making lasting change in our behavior and habits.

Your WHY should be so powerful that it may bring you to tears. It should be your intrinsic and highest motivation for change, as setting this type of goal is easier to maintain and will eventually become a habit.

Answer these questions to understand your WHY and determine your intrinsic motivation:

• What is the root cause? Understanding the root cause for change is a key factor in achieving our health goals. Perhaps you’re ready to take charge of your health or you want to create sustainable healthy habits. Write your own description of WHY you want to change and include positive reasons that motivate you to create health in your life.
• Why is this goal beneficial for your long-term health? Make a list of all the potential benefits of reaching your goal. You may discover some additional takeaways that could also have a lasting impact on your health.
• Describe your future self. In as much detail as possible, describe something you would love to do in the future that you cannot do in the present. It can be as simple as wanting to take the dog out for a walk without feeling exhausted or being able to fit comfortably in the seat of an amusement park ride.

Identifying your WHY is the first step in your self-discovery journey. Continue to remind yourself of your reasons for change by writing them down in a journal or pinning them to a place where you will see them regularly, like your bathroom mirror or computer screensaver. That way, you’ll have the confidence and momentum to achieve success.

Ask me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, for additional tips on defining your WHY and identifying your fundamental motivation on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time^®.

Still need to order your NEW Habits of Health^® Transformational System? Let’s connect today!

Meal planning for people on Plan should be focused on limiting calories while maintaining nutritional needs. Your Lean & Green meals won’t require new or “special” foods, but you do need to pay attention to your choices, especially carbohydrates.

OPTAVIA’s Plans are a good fit because they incorporate eating small meals frequently. All Fuelings are carbohydrate-controlled and generally lower in fat, which makes them a healthy choice. 

Use these tips to maintain your diet while on Plan and on your path to optimal health and wellbeing:

• Eat every two – three hours. Eating small meals every two – three hours allows for carbohydrates and protein to be spaced evenly throughout the day. Your body is able to better support weight loss when you have maintained a regular meal schedule.
• Keep calorie intake consistent. Try to stay on Plan and eat about the same amount every day, rather than overeating one day and skipping meals the next.
• Vary your protein. Mixing up your protein options between skinless chicken, lean beef, eggs, fish, and vegetarian options can help reduce unhealthy fats and add healthy fats.
• Keep a food journal. Keeping track of your food intake enhances awareness of what you are eating and makes it easier to identify any corrections to make with your diet.

Ask me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, about other tips for meal planning while on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time^®.

Creating Optimal Wellbeing

“I was 37 years old and I was at a low point. My life was completely out of balance. I was working more than 10 hours a day and I began using food as my reward to get through those long shifts. After gaining 50 pounds, I was obese.”

Greg was burnt out – physically, emotionally, and financially. He had no time for social gatherings with his friends and only saw his family on holidays.

“I was so out of shape that I couldn't do my favorite things like surfing, yoga, and snowboarding. I was embarrassed and frustrated because every single diet I tried didn’t work. I had even tried training with a triathlon coach five days a week with no success.”

Greg began to attribute his obesity to genetics and didn’t think there was anything he could possibly do to achieve a healthy weight.

“When I heard about OPTAVIA and saw the science behind it, I decided to give it a try. I was flabbergasted. With some dedication and the support of my OPTAVIA Coach, I lost 50 pounds in 10 weeks.^* I had a Coach that kept me on track, I wasn't hungry, and I had tons of energy.”

By continuing to implement the Habits of Health, Greg has been able to maintain his healthy weight for over 15 years.

“Today, I feel like I can do anything. I can partake in activities like yoga, surfing, and wakeboarding again. Even though I’m in my 50s, I feel like I'm in my 30s.”

Greg wanted to help others find the same success he found on the Program, so he decided to become an OPTAVIA Coach.

“Now only has becoming an OPTAVIA Coach been rewarding for me personally by helping others improve their lives, it has also kept me accountable to my own lifestyle.”

Now my mission is to help others who feel like they are stuck when their life is out of balance. I love helping people get healthy and creating optimal wellbeing.”