What If Getting Healthy Didn’t Mean Giving Up Everything You Love?
“By replacing your morning coffee with green tea, you can lose up to 87% of what little joy you still have left in your life.”
I came across this meme recently and had to laugh — not just because it’s funny, but because it hits on something I’ve heard over and over again:
That being healthy means giving up all the things you enjoy.
On a recent episode of North of Normal with Amanda McKeen, I mentioned (casually) that I drink diet soda and enjoy my daily coffee. A few folks were surprised — like somehow health and happiness can’t exist in the same space.
So let’s talk about that. Let’s talk about the myth of all-or-nothing health, and why you don’t need to quit the things you love in order to feel better, get stronger, or improve your health. In fact, that “give it all up” mindset might be exactly what’s holding you back.
All or Nothing Is a Trap
There’s a belief out there that if you’re serious about your health, you need to give up sugar, carbs, caffeine, “processed foods,” or basically anything that tastes good or makes you happy. That belief is not only wrong — it’s a fast track to burnout.
Here’s what I know from coaching hundreds of people:
Extreme restriction rarely works long term. It’s not sustainable, it’s not necessary, and for most people, it turns health into a punishment instead of a way to feel better.
What Actually Works? Balance.
Let’s be real — your body doesn’t fall apart because you had a cookie or a diet soda. What matters is your overall routine, your consistency, and whether the choices you’re making help you feel and function better over time.
Instead of cutting out all the “bad” stuff, focus on adding more of the good:
Eat more whole foods — simple meals with ingredients you recognize.
Move your body regularly — strength training, walking, biking, whatever you enjoy.
Sleep and manage stress — these matter more than the perfect diet.
Keep the things you love — they can fit, and they might even help you stay consistent.
Let Go of “Perfect”
There’s no perfect diet, no perfect routine, no perfect body. Aiming for perfect usually means setting yourself up to “fail” — then starting over again Monday.
Here’s a better question:
What can you do consistently that still allows room for joy, flexibility, and real life?
That might mean having coffee every morning. It might mean pizza night with your family. It might even mean diet soda after a workout. None of those things erase your progress — especially when you’re building a lifestyle that works for you.
Final Thoughts
The goal isn’t to live like a monk. The goal is to feel strong, capable, and energized — and to enjoy your life while you’re at it.
So no, you don’t need to give up coffee. Or pizza. Or joy. You just need a plan that works for real life — not a fantasy world where every meal is chicken and broccoli and every day feels like a sacrifice.
If you want help finding that balance, we’re here. Littleton Fitness is open 24/7, and we’re all about real progress, not perfection.
Let’s make health something you can enjoy — not something you dread.
