Why you should get uncomfortable — Tveen Verano mph, RD

Last week, Emma and I drove out to meet my husband for lunch. I have Mondays and Wednesdays off, so we drove to Ontario, took our packed lunches to the food court at Ontario Mills, and ate while everyone else was having yummy smelling food court food. My hubby LOVES Chinese food, and the smell of Panda Express was getting to him. He wanted to get noodles, but also wanted to stay healthy. That morning, he had just sent me the picture above, so I threw it right back at him! I told him to be uncomfortable and do the uncomfortable thing, just like he had told me! I don't know if he appreciated that (I mean, who enjoys getting their own advice thrown back at them?), but it made him pause his thought process and decide not to get the chow mein.

It would have definitely been easier for him to just walk up to Panda Express and get the noodles right? It's comfortable, it's familiar, and it's something he typically would do. But in order for real change to take place and progress to occur, we HAVE to start being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

We hold ourselves back so much in this life, but I am finally calling it quits with playing small. No more wondering what it would be like to be more fearless, more confident, more full of love to give to others, or just MORE. I want to get uncomfortable, because that's the only way I'll grow.

I've been getting up between 4:30 and 5:00 to get my workouts in. I used to think I was a morning person and that's why it was so easy for me. But the more I've worked with clients as a dietitian and health and wellness coach, I've learned that NO one is a morning person. We just DECIDE that it is worth it to get up. It's worth it to get uncomfortable. Because if we are stuck in comfort, we are going to just be stuck forever.

I have a diagnosed gluten allergy and have been telling myself for years that there is no way I can cut out gluten because it's too "uncomfortable." I want to enjoy pita bread and pasta and pizza. That's comfortable to me. But these past two weeks I told myself to finally grow up and honor my body. I've been gluten free since October 29th, and I feel amazing! Sometimes (scratch that, most of the time) it is uncomfortable, but it's always worth it because I know that I am treating my body well and in a way that honors my energy and my health!

And guess what? I'm pretty sure everyone loves junk food. People who want to live a healthy lifestyle don't just magically NOT like junk food. Heck, some of my favorite foods are Oreos, chips and salsa, froyo with ALL the candy toppings, and brownies. I don't eat healthy because it's easy or comfortable, I eat healthy because it makes me feel good and I want to be the best version of myself possible. It is sometimes uncomfortable to choose the healthy foods and to say no to donuts or chow mein. But that uncomfortable feeling is what will make you grow and THRIVE into the amazing person you were created to be. I've found that each good decision just leads to another, and another, and another, and that string of good decisions helps you grow in strength and confidence in order to make MORE good decision. It's an amazing cycle!

So, what can you get uncomfortable about today? Maybe it's waking up 30 minutes earlier to get a workout in. Maybe it's cooking a meal tonight (even if you are tired, even if you "don't" have time, which I'm learning is a myth...but more on that later!), instead of ordering a pizza. Maybe it's reading a book that will make you think and grow instead of slipping into the Netflix vortex (and if you need book suggestions, let me know!) Whatever it is, just know that it WON'T be easy. You aren't going to want to do any of it. It's going to be uncomfortable.

But from that feeling, growth will happen. Your muscles will get flexed and sore, but they will strengthen too. You'll continue seeking out uncomfortable situations that will give you the opportunity to shine and live an amazing life. You were made for more than playing small. You were made by an amazing, creative, loving God, so why not live into that identity?

I'd love to chat with you about ways you can start getting uncomfortable in your life! Contact me here and we can get started setting some uncomfortable goals that will stretch you and bring JOY into your life again. Because the real YOU, the one you were created to be, is possible.