Are you ready to change your life and become healthier? Making that decision is just the first step. Next, you need to prepare yourself for action and then actually start making changes. The final step is to maintain these healthy habits for life. However, this journey may not be easy. In our busy and stressful lives, prioritizing health can be challenging, but it’s essential for preventing illness and the chronic conditions that affect us daily.

Before you begin, it’s crucial to identify any obstacles standing in your way and understand why you want to make these changes. Overcoming inertia, or the tendency to remain inactive, requires focused intention and consistent reinforcement of your goals. Journaling, seeking support from others, and utilizing online resources can help you overcome obstacles.

Some common obstacles you may face include:

• Beliefs about what is possible or not
• Negative relationships with your body and food
• Self-defeating thoughts and behaviors
• Biological addiction to sugar
• Influence of unhealthy food marketing
• Limited access to nutritious foods
• Pressure from others to indulge in unhealthy habits
• Difficulty prioritizing your own needs

One of the most significant obstacles is the belief that our health is predetermined and unchangeable. However, this mindset can be challenged, and small changes can lead to significant improvements in health. Consider what is important to you, whether it’s feeling well, living a long life, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing your passions.

Health means being able to fully participate in activities that nurture the body, mind, and spirit, without hindering one’s daily life. Spending quality time with family, being effective at work, and enjoying outdoor experiences are some examples. Additionally, fulfilling one’s higher purpose by engaging in private worship, such as prayers, fasting, and remembrance of Allah (dhikr), as well as public acts of service, like feeding the needy, assisting the less fortunate, and spreading the message of Islam (da’wa), are essential. What do you value most? Recognizing your priorities can help you make decisions and inspire you to make positive changes for your health and overall well-being.