Why It Feels Impossible To Make Healthy Choices

I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that you don't even realize is making it harder for you to reach your goals.

Some people brush this off and throw it away and call it an excuse, or something that isn't real.

This is something that primarily impacts adults.

Adults who have families, careers, personal responsibilities, and much more.

What I am talking about is the exact reason why it may feel so difficult to decide on what to eat after a long and stressful day at work.

This is the reason why in the moment you say yes to the fast food on the way home, but 2 hours later, you may realize that you should have had something at home.

Any guesses to what I am talking about.

If you were to guess decision fatigue, you would be right.

Now, what is decision fatigue exactly?

There isn't an exact definition that exists on what decision fatigue is.

However, if you were to Google it, here are somethings you may find.

Decision fatigue is mental exhaustion.

Decision fatigue is when you are mentally drained after making countless decisions at work.

Decision fatigue is when your ability to decide on something is significantly worse, and often leads to poorer decisions in the end.

Let me share a little more details.

Our brains are like muscles in that they burn calories.

After a hard workout, your muscles get fatigued.

They get tired, and they may get sore even.

Well, the brain is very similar.

The brain, even though it is only 2% of your bodyweight on average.

It used nearly 20% of your body's calories.

So, as you use your brain power throughout the day to decide on things like:

What to have for breakfast.

When you will have time to workout.

What your will make for your kid's lunches.

How you are going to schedule the day so everyone can get to their sport practices, games, and dance recitals.

Or how you can finish a project by your deadline that your boss gave you.

For the longest time I wondered why is it that it is harder than other to make healthier decisions.

If you ask me, I think this is the reason why.

When you are constantly making decisions all day long, and it comes time to decide on what to eat, you will more than likely revert to your old ways because it takes way less mental effort than trying something different.

So what you can you do to help with making healthier choices while your battling this decision fatigue?

Here are some tips that you can try to help overcome decision fatigue.

Plan things out in advance. Take a moment to plan out when you can get on the treadmill for 20 minutes or what you will have to eat. This way, the decision will already be made ahead of time.
Have some staple foods that you can rely on. Pick 2 - 3 options for dinner that you know no matter how tired you are. A rotisserie chicken, rice and veggies is go to staple for me. I know no matter what, I will be able to make that and enjoy it.
Start small and be realistic. If you had a really crummy day at work, and have nothing left and can't fathom the idea of making a dinner that will take 30 minutes to cook, get something on the way home. Get something that aligns with your goals. Grab a salad from Panera or Just Salad. Get a protein packed steak, veggie, and rice bowl from chipotle.

These are just some ways you, can overcome the decision fatigue.

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do to beat decision fatigue, is realize it exists.

Acknowledge it.

But do what you can so that you don't let it get in your way of achieving your goals.

I won't lie.

Creating changes and adjusting your routine will take some effort in the beginning.

But, the sooner you start the better.

And the more you keep at it, the easier it will become.

I promise!