"Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour." — Walt Whitman

Have you ever tried to build a healthy habit and found yourself completely dreading it?

Maybe you decided to take up running—even though you hate running. Or meal prepping—even though it feels like a chore. You push through for a week or two, but eventually, those "I don't wanna" feelings catch up to you, and you’re back to square one.

You might think that the problem here is not having enough discipline or willpower.

👉 But the REAL problem is starting with the wrong habits.

See, when it comes to building lasting healthy habits, most women approach it the wrong way. They start by trying to force themselves to do things they don't really enjoy—things that feel uncomfortable or inconvenient right from the start.

And I get why they do that...

There’s this common belief that making healthy changes has to feel hard or uncomfortable to be effective. We've all heard phrases like "no pain, no gain" or "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."

And when we see fitness influencers grinding through intense workouts or meal prepping 21 identical containers of chicken and broccoli, it reinforces this idea that suffering is somehow necessary for success.

But here's the thing about forcing yourself to do things you hate: your brain will eventually rebel.

It's like trying to hold a beach ball underwater—you can do it for a while through sheer force, but eventually, it's going to pop up with even more force than before.

That's why so many women who force themselves into rigid, unenjoyable habits end up not just quitting, but swinging completely in the opposite direction.

Think about it...

How many times have you white-knuckled your way through a habit you hated, only to find yourself not just stopping, but rebelling against it entirely? Maybe it was a strict meal plan that led to ordering takeout for two weeks straight, or an intense exercise program that resulted in you not moving at all for months afterward.

But there's a much gentler (and more effective) approach to building healthy habits...

Instead of starting with what you think you "should" do, start with habits that feel good—habits that you genuinely enjoy and WANT to do.

Because when you choose activities you genuinely enjoy, you're not constantly fighting against yourself to do them. Instead, you're building positive associations that make you want to come back for more.

Let me give you an example from my own life...

Recently, I got back into the habit of doing a yin yoga class as part of my nighttime routine.

Life got busy and I went almost two weeks without it, but the first time I returned to the mat, I felt this overwhelming sense of, “Oh, yeah. THIS is why I do this.” It felt so good.

In that moment, I made a point to really bask in that good feeling—to remind myself that this is a practice I look forward to, not a chore I have to check off. I let myself luxuriate in how good it felt to stretch, unwind, and be present.

That’s the key. Instead of congratulating myself for being good by following through with my plan to do yoga, I focused on how good it felt to actually DO the yoga.

👉 This is called savoring: intentionally focusing on the positive feelings that come from something you enjoy.

In positive psychology, savoring is the practice of mindfully enhancing and prolonging positive experiences to maximize their impact on your well-being.

By intentionally focusing on how good something feels, you’re not just enjoying the moment—you’re also reinforcing the habit itself. The more you build that positive association, the more you'll actually look forward to doing it—you'll CRAVE it, rather than dread it. And that means you'll do it much more consistently.

And when you build a foundation of those kinds of feel-good habits, it becomes so much easier to layer on other habits (ones that might feel more challenging) in the future.

But most of the time, we do the opposite—we start with the hardest, least enjoyable things and wonder why we can’t keep up.

Here’s how you can flip that approach:

1. Identify one healthy habit that genuinely makes you feel good.

   (Maybe it’s a morning walk, a dance class, or eating a delicious homemade salad.)

2. Focus on the feeling.

   Next time you do it, pause and notice how good it feels. Bask in the positive emotions and physical sensations. Remind yourself why you enjoy it.

3. Make it a cornerstone.

   Let that habit become the foundation of your routine. Once it feels consistent, layer in other habits—starting with the easiest and most enjoyable ones first.

Building habits this way—by starting with the enjoyable ones—means you’ll actually want to keep doing them. You’ll have a foundation that keeps you feeling good, rather than one that drains your energy and motivation.

Remember, building habits that feel good is the key to consistency. Start with what you love, savor the process, and let that be your foundation.

So, think about it:

What’s one feel-good habit you’re excited to incorporate this week?

Hit reply and share it with me—I’d love to cheer you on!

P.S.

Want help building feel-good habits that actually stick?

The next round of the Empowered Eating Blueprint is opening soon—and enrollment is limited to ensure each woman gets personalized support.

Book a call today to see how the program can help you create real, lasting change.