Find Your Why: The Real Key to Getting Healthy

Most of the patients who walk into my office already know the basics of healthy living. You probably do, too.

You know vegetables are good for you.
You know you should get 7–8 hours of sleep.
You know stress is harmful and exercise is helpful.

So the question isn't what to do. The question is—why aren't we doing it?

When I ask people this, the answers usually sound like:

• "I just don't have the discipline."

• "I can't stay motivated."

• "I get started, but then I fizzle out."

And to be honest, I get it. Discipline and motivation both have their place. They're great… for a while. But they’re not enough to sustain long-term change. Motivation fades. Discipline burns out when life gets hard or overwhelming.

So what does work?

The heart of the matter: your why.

What’s Your Why?

Why do you want to be healthy?
Why do you want to sleep better?
Why do you want to move your body or change the way you eat?

There’s no right or wrong answer. But your answer is the one that will carry you through hard days, setbacks, and the temptation to give up.

So let me share my why with you—and then I’ll invite you to find yours.

My Why

My “why” is my kids.

I don’t just want to tell them to eat their vegetables—I want to show them that vegetables are delicious and nourishing.

I don’t want to preach about the importance of sleep—I want to model what it looks like to protect my rest, even when life is busy.

I want them to see that I choose water at restaurants, that I wake up early to move my body—not to punish it, but because I enjoy it. I want them to experience the joy of taking walks, of feeling strong, of managing stress in healthy ways.

When I feel overwhelmed, I don’t want to turn to sweets or distractions. I want to model going for a walk, reading a book, or sitting in the sauna—showing them how to care for their emotions in a healthy, sustainable way.

Now—let me be clear. This doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I still eat sweets sometimes. I still have nights where I get overwhelmed or struggle to get enough sleep. But having a strong “why” helps me come back to center. On a routine basis, my focus is to live in a way that reflects what I believe. And it’s because of my kids that I make those choices more often than not.

Yes, all of that helps me stay healthy. Yes, it may help me live longer and stronger so that, God willing, I’ll get to run around with my grandbabies someday.

But today—my why is to be an example.

I want to show my children what a healthy life looks like, not just talk about it.

Find Your Why

If you’re feeling stuck, take five minutes today to dig deep and find your why. Here’s a quick exercise I often walk patients through:

Let’s say your goal is to lose weight.

1. Why do you want to lose weight?
   – Because I want less stress on my joints.

2. Why do you want less stress on your joints?
   – So I can walk more and stay active as I age.

3. Why do you want to stay active?
   – So I can travel with my family when I’m older.

4. Why is travel important to you?
   – Because I want to create memories with my family.

Now your goal isn’t just “to lose weight.”
Your why is: "I want to be physically able to create lifelong memories with my family."

That’s a powerful why. And that will carry you a lot further than a number on a scale ever could.

Keep Your Why in Sight

Once you’ve found it—write it down. Put it on your mirror, your fridge, your dashboard. Make it a part of your day so you don’t forget.

Because when you know your why, you’ll find a way.

And if you need help getting there—whether with tools, tips, resources, or encouragement—please reach out. Whether it’s me, a loved one, or someone else you trust, find a partner in your journey. You don’t have to do this alone.

But please—don’t skip this step.
Find your why.

You won’t regret it.