How Small Daily Choices Transformed My Health
My footprints on the beach in Lanai, HI fall 2018 on the trip I was supposed to take with my late husband, Patrick, but went solo. (Each small step forward counted.)
My habits are so different now than they used to be.
During my soul searching that summer I left my last career, I also changed a lot of things: the way I ate, the way I moved, my thoughts, routines and habits. It didn’t happen overnight, but each day I tried to make choices that I thought would make me feel better inside and out.
What I started to notice baffled me. My mindset shifted, my body changed, I had more energy, I felt stronger and better than I ever had.
THE GRIND & REGRET
I used to spend anywhere from 10-15 hours a day in a tall dreary building in midtown Manhattan, usually sitting all day, eating at my desk, feeling compelled to answer every email immediately, making sure each ‘i’ was dotted and each ‘t’ was crossed, being a boss and getting sh#t done.
I had my go-to spots for breakfast and coffee: Cafe Grumpy, Pret a Manger, Bagel Market, my cafeteria. Lunch had more variety, but sometimes a sandwich and bag of chips was the meal of choice, or something from the surrounding hood (which was usually unhealthy). If at work, Uber Eats would take care of me and my team. If I did get home for dinner, it was usually too late to cook or I was too tired to have the desire to, so takeout was the only choice for both me and my late husband.
At the time I didn't think much of it. Sure, it got pretty brutal at times but there was always an end in sight, and for that light we saw at the end of the tunnel, it was always worth it to stick around to enjoy it because it made the grind a bit more bearable for a bit longer.
I’d carried a lot of regret about our eating habits after my late husband died (among other things). Though I love to cook, back then I didn't make the time or effort because I was too busy, and laziness and complacency took over. Maybe I could've prevented his death, or things would've been different. Maybe.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE
It's easy to feel helpless in the midst of life's chaos, especially when we're caught up in routines that no longer serve us. But the truth is, we do have power—more than we often realize (and sometimes too late). Every meal we choose, every moment we carve out for movement, and every thought we allow to take root is a step towards the life we want to lead. I learned this the hard way.
I always stress with my clients that change doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up for ourselves every single day, even in small ways, and trusting that those choices will add up. I’ve learned that our habits are not just about what we do—they reflect the value we place in ourselves.
Wherever you are in your journey, remember: it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Start with one mindful choice today, and watch how it builds momentum tomorrow. We can't change the past, but we can honor it by making better choices now—for ourselves and for those we love.
YOU have the power to live a healthier, more intentional life. Take it back - your future self will thank you.