You’ve seen those flashy gut-health promises:
“Drink this to cure constipation and bloating!"
“Fix your gut instantly with this magic supplement!”
“Eat this one food to repair your gut.”
“Stop eating this one food and heal your gut.”
Believe me, I’ve sat scrolling through these, feeling so desperate and lost, wondering if there’d ever be a way out.
It’s hard not to be a sucker for these when you’re at your lowest.
I know that feeling all too well—I was in that dark place, searching for a lifeline.
You see, 10 years ago, I was just beginning my epic quest to stop my worst ulcerative colitis flare.
I remember months and months lying awake in the dark, feeling utterly scared and wondering if I’d ever feel normal again.
It was a lonely, frightening place to be.
I know, it sounds awful—but trust me, if you’ve ever felt that alone, you’re not the only one.
I needed to discover “the truth” about what was causing it and how I could stop it.
I went down the food rabbit hole, trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and when it didn’t deliver that magic fix, I felt defeated.
I even moved on to several other healing diet protocols.
I tried every alternative test I could get my hands on—honestly, looking back, it’s hard to believe how desperate I was.
My kitchen looked like a discount vitamin store—bottles and bottles of supplements lining the shelves.
Each one was a hopeful promise that maybe, just maybe, something would work.
Looking back, it was all so haphazard and misguided.
I was searching for the one thing my body was lacking that I could provide—and voilà, feel better.
Or the one thing I could zap out of my body that was causing the problem.
Although I didn’t realize it at the time, I was hyper-focused on finding something quick and easy.
I’d try something for a few weeks or a month, and when it didn’t work, I’d move on to the next shiny thing.
When you’re feeling desperate, it’s so easy to be lured into all the possibilities and sparkly promises floating around.
And to be honest, a lot of what is out there isn’t much different from the idyllic (American) TV ads promoting the latest pharmaceutical miracle or those decades-long “lose 30 pounds in two weeks” promises.
They all give you that “Wow, maybe this is it!” feeling—that little spark of excitement.
It’s like when you bite into your favorite treat—you get that instant rush, but you know deep down it won’t keep you satisfied for long.
I’ve definitely ridden that ‘zing’ in my brain more times than I can count—that quick dopamine hit is a lot like that mini high you get from a really good treat or from binge-scrolling through your social media feed.
But, like junk food, these miracle cures give you a fast thrill without satisfying your real hunger for lasting change.
Why “Quick Fixes” Trip You Up
Dopamine is a sneaky little motivator.
Those dramatic before-and-after photos or stories can make you think, “Yes, I want that too—now!”
But real transformation—whether it’s losing weight or calming a cranky gut—comes from the everyday habits you build.
I’ve learned that change sticks when it’s broken down into small, repeatable steps that fit into your life, rather than expecting everything to flip overnight.
I always notice two sides of myself locked in a never-ending debate.
I’ve got the ‘Planner’ in me who dreams of perfect mornings, healthy routines, and loves mapping out long cycling routes.
Then there’s my ‘Doer’—the part that loves those extra five minutes of sleep, that extra cookie, and sometimes says, “Why the hell am I even doing this?” when I’m out on that long bike ride.
Planning is easy. Doing is hard.
I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.
When a magic pill or flashy ad pops up, your Planner gets excited.
But once the day-to-day grind starts, your Doer comes up with a thousand reasons to convince us, “Not today.”
The Four Paths To Health
Over the years, watching friends, family, and even myself try to get healthier, I’ve noticed four main paths:
The “Naturals”: You envy those ‘naturals’—they make it look so effortless, even if we secretly wonder what secret sauce they’re using. They jump into a new eating plan or workout and—boom—they’re crushing it. And yes, you sometimes wish you could be that way. But let’s be real: either they’re super lucky, or there’s a lot happening behind the scenes that you just don’t see. (Spoiler alert: there probably is.)
The Steady Climbers: These unsung heroes are all about taking baby steps that add up over time. They remind me (and hopefully you, too) that progress doesn’t have to be flashy to be meaningful. Every time they show up—even if they stumble—they prove that slow, tiny wins can lead to real, sustainable change.
The Endless Strugglers: I’ve been stuck in that frustrating loop too—trying every fad, diet, and supplement only to feel like nothing clicks. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Sometimes it feels like you’re searching for that one missing puzzle piece that never seems to fit. And I promise, you’re not alone in hoping the next big thing will magically fix everything. (Spoiler: It usually doesn’t.)
The Quick Quitters: And then there are those moments when you fall for the hype—clearing out the fridge, buying fancy probiotics, even starting a bullet journal—only to see that initial excitement fade away after a couple of weeks. I’ve been there, riding that high for a moment and then feeling empty when it’s gone. It’s tough, but it’s totally normal.
Why Do You Struggle or Quit?
Let’s face it—you’ve been one of those strugglers or quitters at some point.
It’s tempting to say you lack willpower.
But really, many of you just love the end result more than the day-to-day work it takes to get there.
That dopamine rush might kick things off, but if every step feels like a chore, it’s hard to stick with it.
And when you start comparing yourself to the “Naturals” on Instagram, your motivation can take a nosedive.
I know how it feels to be crushed by disappointment, especially when you’re comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.
It’s hard, and it’s completely normal to feel that way.
Remember, you’re not alone in this—most of us have been there.
If you hate every minute of the Doing, you’ll never stick to what your Planner set out to do.
Shifting from Goals to Identity
So how do you break out of this cycle?
Here’s what really helped me break free from chasing quick fixes: I stopped obsessing over that elusive end goal and started asking myself, “Who do I really want to be every day?”
It was a total game changer.
Goal-Focused Thinking might sound like:
“I want to lose 10 pounds by spring.”
“I want my gut to stop acting up so I can travel without worry.”
But Identity-Focused Thinking is about who I am each day:
“I’m someone who chooses foods that nourish my body because it makes me feel amazing.”
“I’m a person who respects my stress levels enough to set boundaries—even if it’s just turning my phone off at 8 pm.”
When your identity lines up with your habits, behavior change gets easier.
When your daily actions flow naturally from who you want to be, you’re not chasing a fleeting high.
You’re building habits that stick because they’re part of your identity.
Becoming the Person You Need to Be
If you’re ready to stop being a struggler or a quitter, try asking yourself:
What does a person with a calm, happy gut do every day?
Think about your best self—what little habits does she have that make her feel nourished and at peace?
How can I make these habits enjoyable?
What activities truly resonate with you and fit into your life? They don’t have to be the same as everyone else’s; they can be uniquely yours.
How can I use dopamine to my advantage?
What small actions could spark quick bursts of excitement—like a 10-minute yoga flow or a refreshing new morning routine—that feel like treats rather than chores?
How can I celebrate those small wins?
In what ways might you mark each tiny victory so that these moments feel special and naturally become part of your day?
Reflect on these questions.
Sometimes the answers aren’t grand or immediate—they’re found in the small, intentional choices you make every day.
✨ FINAL THOUGHTS
Overnight success in health is like junk food for our minds—fun in the moment, but it leaves your mind and body unsatisfied in the long run.
Real change comes when you shift your focus from chasing quick fixes to becoming the person who naturally lives a healthy lifestyle—however you define it for where you are right now.
And that transformation isn’t about a perfect finish line—it’s about enjoying every little step along the way.
So, next time you’re tempted by a one-hit-wonder, just take a deep breath and ask yourself:
Am I chasing a quick fix, or am I ready to build something that lasts?
Am I nurturing those little best-self habits, and how can I make them something I genuinely look forward to?
When you focus on being the person who cares for their body—and find ways to make each step more enjoyable—you’ll create a life where good health isn’t just a distant goal.
It’s who you are.
Thank you for reading, friend.
Until next time,
April
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