As I continue in my work as a health coach, I see more and more women who are comfortable taking the easy way out.

But the easy way out is rarely the winning route, and most of the time, it’s not something to be proud of.

Taking the easy way out is an insidious enemy. While it feels good initially, it is actually the ultimate act of self-betrayal.

This act leaves you feeling disappointed in yourself, dishonest, and cowardly.

One of the hardest things about living unhealthy and overweight is that taking the easy way out may be an ingrained habit.

This shows up in obvious ways:

• Watching tv instead of walking.
• Eating pizza instead of cooking a healthy meal.
• Lying to yourself about your weight; or perhaps just as bad ignoring it.
• Ignoring the signs that you are ruining your health.
• Blaming others for your choices while failing to take 100% responsibility for your actions.
• Stuffing your feelings with food instead of addressing them.

But those instances aren’t the worst ways taking the easy way out invades your health and happiness. These are:

• Hiding, not taking risks, not exploring opportunities to make your life one worth living.
• Passively saying no by inactivity rather than standing up for yourself and saying the most powerful word in the English language: no.
• Robbing yourself of integrity by not confirming or showing up for scheduled appointments, calls, or meetings and/or lying about why you won’t honour your commitment.
• Avoiding intimacy with a loved one or not going out on dates because you don’t want to get hurt.
• Procrastinating on taking even the smallest step toward a goal or dream because you don’t think you matter.
• Skipping social engagements because you don’t want people to get to know the real you for fear of not being good enough or worthy of their friendships.
• Staying in a job or not asking for a raise because you think you don’t deserve anything better.
• Playing small because you’re scared to fail.

Taking the easy way out creates a belief in yourself that you cannot win. It leaves you with a deep feeling of emptiness. A feeling like you’re just going through the motions and not living your life’s purpose.

Depressing, I know!

But I have good news … you can change. It won’t happen overnight and it won’t happen with one big leap. It comes from taking baby steps. And when I say baby steps, I mean itty-bitty-teeny-tiny baby steps.

It starts with believing you are worthy!

It’s time to stop believing the voices in your head that say you can’t invest in your health and happiness because…

• You’re not worth it. There are many more important things to spend your money on than you.
• You don’t trust yourself. You’ve said you wanted to lose weight for years but haven’t taken consistent action.
• You’re just going to fail again. There’s no reason to think this time is any different.
• Even if you get to the goal, you’ll just gain it all back again. History proves this one over and over.
• You’re too busy. You use busyness as an excuse to continue to destroy your most precious and irreplaceable assets: your mind and body.
• You’re scared to show up and be accountable. You know somebody will push you to take action and deep down you don’t want to give up all the benefits of being fat – and YES there are benefits!
• You’re scared to succeed. What will people say this time as you begin losing weight? Oh there she goes again, why is she even bothering?

None of that is true! You are enough. You are worth it. And you deserve to live a healthier and happier life. It can only happen when you stop taking the easy way out, though.