There’s a question that’s been coming up more and more lately in my conversations with clients, friends, and even strangers at the grocery store:

Is ill health inevitable?

It’s a hard question because in our everyday lives, it seems it is.  The truth is, this question gets to the heart of how we live, how we age, and how we care for ourselves (or don’t). And recently, a group of us gathered together to explore this idea—to learn, to share, and even to make a plan for “better” for ourselves.

Busy professionals and people like you and I, who’ve been pushing hard for years, juggling work and home, often running on fumes… we tend to just keep going until something forces us to stop.

Maybe a diagnosis… a fatigue that won’t lift… brain fog that creeps in… or just a feeling that we’re not okay.  We don’t know why.

As we started our small in-person group, we talked about this exact question.  We talked about what health really means, and why it slips away so easily… and how we can take steps (even small ones) to get it back.  I want to share some of that conversation with you here—because if you’re reading this, I don’t believe it’s by accident.

We started the day not with a lecture, but with a pause. A bit of time to jot down some quick thoughts. Because sometimes we’re moving so fast, we forget to ask ourselves the most important things:

●        What does “ill health” mean to me? Am I concerned?

●        What’s one eating habit that drains my energy?

●        What gets in the way when I try to change that habit?

●        Do I know anyone who reversed a serious health condition?

●        What do I believe could protect my long-term health?

These aren’t test questions. They’re guideposts—ways to reflect on where we are, and where we might like to go.

A Little Bit About Me

I came to be a Functional Medicine Health Coach through personal experience—my own journey with autoimmune issues. Like many people, I reached a point where “no matter what”, I kept continuing health conditions that my doctors told me had no cure.

I learned that Functional medicine can change that.

I graduated from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in 2019 with the goal of saving people (who are ready to hear) the years of struggling to find a cause of their health issues.

Now, I help others look for the cause of what’s keeping them from feeling the energetic health they used to have. I guide them—often one small, doable step at a time—toward more energy, better balance, and a healthier, fuller life; making lasting changes in our health.

Do I believe small changes can make a big difference?

Absolutely.  I know they do!

Why Does it Feel so Hard to Feel Good?

If you’ve ever tried to get to the bottom of a nagging health issue, you know—it can feel like a maze.  Especially when you’re already stretched thin.

I work from a simple foundation: five core pillars of health.  They are:

●        Nutrition

●        Sleep

●        Exercise

●        Stress management

●        Relationships

 (and sometimes, a sixth: Toxin awareness)

In this session, we focused on nutrition—food is fuel, and one of the most powerful tools we have to influence our wellness—every day.  It affects our mood, our energy, our brain function, our digestion, and our sleep.

But first, we need to get real about some things.

A Few Sobering Stats

Before diving into practical advice, we paused to acknowledge the bigger picture.

●        Nearly 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.

●        42% of our population is obese—more than any other industrialized country.

●        Almost half of Americans suffer from at least one chronic, diet-related disease.

●        35% of children are overweight or obese.

●        69% of older adults take five or more medications daily.

●        The number of people living with Alzheimer's Disease is projected to triple by 2050.

●        25% of people at age 50 today, won’t make it to age 75.

These numbers aren’t meant to scare us. They’re meant to give us knowledge.  Knowledge is power.

And here’s the truth:

The body wants to heal. But we have to stop interfering with it.

What We Eat Matters

Let’s talk basics. A few quick truths about nutrition that I shared with my group:

●        The closer food is to its natural form, the better.

●        Eat a variety—different colors, textures, types—the more, the better.

●        Read labels (if it has a label).

●        Pay attention to added sugars, dyes, processed oils, and anything artificial.  It truly matters—a lot.

●        Eat fats that support your brain and keep you full (avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, fatty fish).

●        Choose clean proteins when possible (pastured eggs, wild fish, grass-fed meat).

●        Avoid ultra-processed foods.

And drink water. I know—obvious. But it matters. Water supports digestion, helps you absorb nutrients, and even improves energy.

Do you know what Mindful Eating is?

Here’s something I asked the group: Do you ever eat while standing up? In the car? At your desk? Watching tv?

Most of us do. We eat fast. Distracted. Sometimes without even tasting our food.

But mindful eating is one of the simplest ways to improve digestion, reduce emotional eating, and enjoy food again.

Try this:

●        Sit down to eat.

●        Take a breath before your first bite.

●        Really taste it.

●        Pay attention to how full you feel.

If you prepare the meal, make it look as appealing as possible.  It makes a difference.

And You don’t have to do any of this perfectly. Just practice. The goal isn’t restriction—it’s connection.

Another goal would be to have a healthy relationship with your food.  And when you give attention to your eating, you’re working toward that.  You will gradually develop a better relationship with your food, and enjoy eating—which will also help your health.

Knowledge Isn’t the Hard Part

You probably already know a lot of this. The hard part is putting it into action.

That’s what we focused on next in our session: the three biggest challenges of behavior change.

1.     Deciding to make a change

2.     Taking the first step

3.     Sticking with it

Let’s take a closer look.

Step One: Make the Decision

This is where a lot of people get stuck. We want to feel better, but we don’t really decide to do anything different.

So I ask: What if you don’t make a change?

Will your current path get you where you want to go? Will it support your health 10, 20, 30 years from now?

Or are you slowly drifting toward the kind of future you don’t want—loss of independence, poor memory, low energy, chronic medication?

You get to decide.

Step Two: Define Your Why

Once you’ve decided, get clear on your why.

Ask yourself: What do I want to do with more energy, more life, more health? Write that as a goal. Be specific.

That becomes your anchor—the thing you return to when motivation fades. And it will fade sometimes. That’s a normal part of your life.

Your “why” reminds you that this isn’t about chasing a perfect body or following the latest trend. It’s about having the capacity to do the things you care about most.

Step Three: Take the First Step

Pick something small and doable. Don’t try to change everything at once. That almost always backfires.

Here are a few examples from people in my session:

●        Swap soda for water during the workday

●        Cook one extra meal at home each week

●        Eat meals sitting down, without a screen

●        Add one serving of vegetables to a meal.

And here’s a tip: Plan for special occasions. Holidays, birthday parties, vacations—they’re part of life. Enjoy them. Eat the cake. Maybe a little less than you are used to—But in any case, Enjoy it.  Then go right back to your plan the next day.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about keeping on… and going forward.

Is Maintenance the Hardest Part?

A lot of people ask me this. And yes—it can be.

That’s why I always encourage people to:

●        Set realistic goals

●        Start small and be specific

●        Break big goals into tiny steps

●        Celebrate every success

●        Be patient with gradual change

●        To support your choices, rearrange and re-stock your pantry with less packaged food.

●        Try new recipes and foods—you might be surprised what you enjoy

Most importantly: Keep your “why” visible. Put it on your fridge, in your planner, on your phone lock screen. Anywhere you’ll see it.

This Isn’t a One-Time Fix

Nutrition (and health in general) isn’t something you “master.” It’s a lifelong journey. Some seasons will be harder than others. That’s okay.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to stay curious, about how you can experiment more… and Keep Moving Forward.  Then…

Be kind to yourself. Pay attention to how your body feels. Trust your instincts. Find community with others who are wanting to feel good about their good health.

And when you slip up? Don’t quit. Just start again.

You

Can

 Protect Yourself

That’s really the heart of what I wanted people to walk away with after our session—and what I want you to take from this post.

You have the power to create a vibrant, energetic life.

Not a perfect one. But one where you feel more like you again. With more strength, more mental clarity, more energy to do the things that matter.

And no, ill health is not inevitable.

Want to Take One Step Today?

If this message resonated with you, I’d love to stay in touch.

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And if you’re ready for more personalized support, I offer one-on-one coaching, including a simple 3-session starter package for people ready to take action.

Thanks for reading—and for showing up for your health.

You’re not alone on this journey.

With care,

Sharon J. Cole