Why Change Feels So Hard—and What to Do About It

By Michael Coleman, CPT, CES, Nationally Accredited Health & Wellness Coach

This quote kicked off an incredible conversation I had with a client during Week 3 of their journey to reclaiming their health. And it struck a nerve—because it’s true for just about all of us. We want the results: more energy, fewer aches, better sleep, a leaner body. But we wrestle with the process that gets us there.

Let’s talk about why.

🚪 Letting Go Feels Like Losing a Part of Yourself

My client brought up something powerful:

That’s no exaggeration. Maybe you used to go out every Friday night, or you always celebrated wins with a drink or a dessert. Letting go of those routines feels like saying goodbye to the person you used to be. That’s not just hard—it’s emotional.

But here’s the truth: you’re not losing yourself.
You’re redefining yourself.

🥖 Her Story: The Ice Cream & Bread Food Groups

My client used to joke that her four main food groups were coffee, bread, and ice cream.

When she started taking her own health more seriously, she knew those had to change. Ice cream was the first to go—or at least got cut down significantly. White bread came next, which she is still working on that one.

In Week 3, the action step was:

My client’s result that week? She eliminated white flour by 75% and avoided pasta completely, and replaced it with buckwheat varieties…Cutting down on white bread, though? It was still a challenge. (But that’s okay!)

🧠 Why It’s Not Just About Willpower

My client also reminded me of a fascinating historical insight:
Back in the late 1800s, Asian countries started refining white rice in mass quantities. What they didn’t know then is that removing the outer layers of the rice stripped it of vital nutrients. The result? Widespread cases of beriberi—a disease that literally translates to "weakness" and was caused by vitamin B deficiency.

What’s the lesson?
Processed foods may be convenient and familiar, but they often rob us of the very fuel our bodies need to thrive. Even staples like bread and rice need to be reconsidered when we’re aiming for true wellness.

🏆 Redefining Progress: What Counts as a Win?

This part of the conversation was a coaching moment in itself.

My client said:

Yes. And it reminded me: Success isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking meaningful, consistent steps forward.

For someone who used to eat donuts every single morning, being able to say no even once in a week is huge. That’s where transformation begins—not in extremes, but in decisions repeated daily.

✨ The Fit Professionals Framework in Action

What I coach isn’t about strict diets or shame-based fitness. It’s about habit shifts, mindset transformation, and identity evolution.

Every time you choose:

• Whole over processed,

• Movement over stagnation,

• Mindful eating over emotional eating,

…you’re becoming the next version of yourself. A healthier, more resilient, more grounded version.

💡 Final Thought

Change is uncomfortable because it challenges our comfort zones—and our self-image. But it’s also where the growth is. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep moving forward, one intentional step at a time.

And remember, resisting one donut this week might be the exact win your transformation needs.