The journey
Three steps to lasting change
1. Decide
You’ve already done this. You’ve chosen to take care of your health.
2. Prepare
Know what will get in your way, and why you want this. That’s this week.
3. Sustain
Turn healthy changes into habits you keep for life.
In our busy, stressful lives, putting health first is hard, but it’s essential to preventing illness and the chronic conditions that affect us every day. Overcoming inertia takes focused intention, renewed again and again. Journaling, the support of others and good resources all help.
Know what you’re up against
Common obstacles
- Beliefs about what’s possible
- A negative relationship with your body or food
- Self-defeating thoughts and habits
- A biological addiction to sugar
- Unhealthy food marketing
- Limited access to nutritious food
- Pressure from others to indulge
- Struggling to put your own needs first
Your why
What does health mean to you?
Health means being able to fully take part in what nourishes your body, mind and spirit: time with family, being effective at work, enjoying the outdoors. It also means fulfilling your higher purpose: private worship like prayer, fasting and dhikr, and public service like feeding the needy, helping the less fortunate and sharing the message of Islam.
Reflect
What do you value most?
Feeling well? A long life? Time with the people you love? Your passions and your worship? Knowing your priorities makes decisions easier and gives you the drive to change.