The Power of ‘Half-Assing’ Your Health: Why Perfection Isn’t Necessary for Progress

This article was written for and originally published on Sixty and Me Here

Ever feel like you need to overhaul your entire life to get healthy? Have you ever found yourself putting off making changes because you can’t do it all perfectly? If this resonates, you’re not alone and many women just like you feel overwhelmed by health advice that seems to demand perfection.

But what if I told you that you don’t need to be perfect to make real progress? In fact, embracing a ‘half-assed’ approach to your health might be the key to lasting change.

Half-assing your health isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about making consistent, manageable improvements that add up over time. Half-assing your health is about making progress, not striving for perfection. And it’s an approach that can lead to better health, more energy, and yes, even weight loss if that’s your goal.

In this article, we’ll explore why perfection often backfires, how ‘half-assing’ it can actually be more effective, and practical ways to start improving your health today – without the pressure of doing everything perfectly.

Why Perfection Doesn’t Work

When it comes to health and wellness, many of us fall into the trap of thinking we need to follow the diet or exercise program perfectly. But this approach often sets us up for disappointment and failure. Let’s explore why:

The All-or-Nothing Trap

Have you ever started a new diet or exercise plan with great enthusiasm, only to give up entirely after a few weeks? It typically happens after we have a slip up. This all-or-nothing thinking is a common pitfall. You might think, “I ate a cookie, so I’ve ruined my diet. Might as well eat the whole box now.” Or, “I missed my workout today, so this week is a wash. I’ll start again next Monday.”

The problem with this mindset is that it doesn’t allow for the natural ups and downs of life. It turns minor setbacks into major derailments. Remember, one cookie doesn’t undo a week of healthy eating, just like one missed workout doesn’t erase your fitness progress.

The Burnout Factor

Trying to be perfect all the time is exhausting. It requires constant vigilance and often leads to stress and anxiety. You might find yourself obsessing over every calorie or feeling guilty for every missed gym session. This perfectionism can quickly lead to burnout.

When you’re burned out, it’s easy to throw in the towel completely. You might think, “This is too hard. I can’t keep this up.” And suddenly, all your efforts come to a halt.

My client Jill came to me frustrated after years of yo-yo dieting. Every January, she’d start a strict diet and intense exercise regime. By February, she’d be exhausted and discouraged. 

“I just can’t stick to it,” she told me. “I guess I’m just not disciplined enough.”

But the problem wasn’t Jill – it was her approach. We worked together to make small, consistent changes instead of trying to overhaul her entire lifestyle overnight. She started by adding one extra serving of vegetables to her day and simply carving out 10 minutes to walk to the end of her block and back.

These changes weren’t dramatic, but they started to build momentum. Over time, Jill not only lost weight but also felt more energetic and positive about her health journey. She realized she didn’t need to be perfect to make progress.

The Benefits of “Half-Assing” Your Health

Now that we’ve seen why perfectionism doesn’t work, let’s explore the advantages of a more relaxed approach to health. “Half-assing” your health might sound counterintuitive, but it can lead to remarkable benefits:

Sustainability: The Key to Long-Term Success

When you focus on making small, manageable changes, you’re more likely to stick with them. Instead of drastically cutting calories or exercising for hours each day, you might start by adding an extra glass of water or taking a short walk after lunch. These changes may seem minor, but they’re sustainable. Over time, these small habits add up to significant improvements in your health.

For example, if you increase your daily step count by just 500 steps each week, you could be walking an extra 26,000 steps per year. That’s progress you can maintain without feeling overwhelmed.

Enjoying the Process

One of the biggest advantages of the “half-assing” approach is that it allows you to enjoy the journey. When you’re not stressed about being perfect, you can actually have fun with your health goals. 

Maybe you discover a new vegetable you love or find a type of exercise that brings you joy. When health-promoting activities become enjoyable rather than a chore, you’re more likely to keep doing them.

Building Consistent Habits Over Time

Consistency is more important than intensity when it comes to health. By focusing on small, regular actions, you build habits that become second nature. 

For instance, if you decide to meditate for just five minutes a day, it’s much easier to stick to than committing to an hour-long session. Over time, those five minutes might naturally extend as you begin to enjoy and value the practice more.

Remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly every day. It’s about doing something consistently most days. This approach allows for flexibility and forgiveness, which are crucial for long-term success.

Want to learn more about building sustainable habits? Check out my podcast episode #12 on “B Minus Habits”. It dives deeper into how small, consistent actions can lead to big changes over time.

3 Tips for “Half-Assing” Your Way to Better Health

Now that we understand the benefits of a more relaxed approach to health and the common mistakes to avoid, let’s explore some practical tips for “half-assing” your way to better health:

Tip 1: Choose One Habit to Improve at a Time

It’s tempting to want to overhaul everything at once, but that often leads to overwhelm. Instead, pick one habit to focus on. 

Maybe you want to improve your sleep. Start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier. Once that feels comfortable, you can adjust further or move on to another habit, like adding more vegetables to your meals.

This approach allows you to give your full attention to one area, making it more likely that the change will stick.

Tip 2: Focus on Frequency, Intensity, or Density

When improving a habit, you don’t need to change everything at once. Instead,  focus on one of these three aspects:

Frequency: How often you do something. For example, if you currently walk twice a week, try adding a third day.

Intensity: The concentration of your effort. If you’re already walking 20 minutes three times a week, you might increase your pace for part of that time.

Density: The amount you’re doing in one session. This could mean extending your walk from 20 to 25 minutes.

Choose just one of these to work on at a time. Remember, you’re already doing something great – we’re just building on that foundation.

Tip 3: Practice Self-Compassion and Patience

Remember, this is a process. There will be days when things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a good friend.

Patience is key. You didn’t develop your current habits overnight, so it’s unrealistic to expect immediate changes. Celebrate the small victories along the way, and trust that these incremental improvements will add up over time.

I had a client who was frustrated because she “only” lost two pounds in a month. But when we looked at the bigger picture, we realized she was consistently making healthier food choices, sleeping better, and feeling more energetic. These were significant improvements that went beyond the number on the scale.

By focusing on these tips, you can make meaningful progress without the pressure of perfection. It’s about making your health journey sustainable and enjoyable.

For more ideas on how to implement these tips, check out my guide “8 Basic Habits that Healthy People Do”. It provides a simple framework for improving your health one step at a time.

How to Get Started

Now that you understand the power of “half-assing” your health, let’s talk about how to put this approach into action:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Habits

Take a week to observe your current habits without judgment. Notice your eating patterns, sleep schedule, physical activity, and stress management techniques. This isn’t about criticizing yourself – it’s about gathering information.

Step 2: Choose One Area to Focus On

Based on your assessment, pick one area you’d like to improve. Maybe you want to drink more water, add more vegetables to your diet, or increase your daily steps. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

Step 3: Set Realistic, Achievable Goals

Once you’ve chosen your focus area, set a small, achievable goal. If you’re currently drinking two glasses of water a day, aim for three. If you’re not exercising at all, start with a 5-minute walk after dinner. These small steps might not seem like much, but they do add up over time.

The “half-assed” approach to health might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful way to create lasting change. By focusing on small, consistent improvements rather than drastic overhauls, you set yourself up for long-term success.

Keep in mind the benefits we discussed:

• It’s more sustainable in the long run
• You’re more likely to enjoy the process
• You build consistent habits over time

Don’t let perfectionism hold you back from starting your health journey. Every small step counts, and it’s never too late to begin.

Ready to take action? Start by choosing one small habit to improve this week. And for more guidance, download my free guide, “8 Basic Habits that Healthy People Do”. It’s packed with simple, actionable tips to help you on your path to better health.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Small, consistent changes can lead to big results over time. 

You’ve got this!

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