Why You Keep Starting Over And How to Finally Stop

You've been here before.

Standing in front of the mirror on a Monday morning, making another promise to yourself. This time will be different. This time you'll stick with it.

You have the meal plan. You've bought the supplements. You've even told your family you're serious about making changes.

But by Wednesday afternoon, you're exhausted. By Friday, you've convinced yourself you'll start fresh next week. And by Sunday night, you're right back where you started – frustrated, defeated, and wondering what's wrong with you.

Here's what I need you to hear: Nothing is wrong with you.

But something is standing in your way. And it's not what you think.

Why You Keep Starting Over Every Monday

Most women I work with come to me believing their problem is willpower. Or discipline. Or finding the "right" diet this time.

They think if they could just find the perfect meal plan, or have more self-control, or magically create more hours in the day, then everything would fall into place.

But here's what actually happens:

You start strong. You follow the plan for a few days, maybe even a week or two. Then life gets busy. You get tired. Something stressful happens. And suddenly, you're back to your old habits.

You tell yourself, "I'll start again Monday." But Monday comes and goes. Then another Monday. And another.

The cycle repeats itself over and over, and each time you restart, that voice in your head gets a little louder: "See? You can't do this. You've tried everything. Nothing works for you."

Sound familiar?

If you're nodding your head right now, I want you to know something: this isn't about lack of willpower. This isn't about being lazy or undisciplined or "not wanting it bad enough."

This is about your mindset. And it's the one thing no meal plan or exercise program can fix.

Why Mindset Matters More Than Meal Plans

Have you ever stopped to notice the words you say to yourself on a daily basis?

For so many women I work with, the inner dialogue sounds something like this:

"I don't have the time."

"I've tried everything."

"I'll just take Ozempic."

"I don't like how I look."

"I'm afraid I'll have to change my whole life."

"I don't know if I'm ready for change."

"Will I have to eat healthy forever?"

"What if I fail again?"

If any of these thoughts feel familiar, you're not alone. This is the hidden sabotage that keeps you stuck.

The truth is, what you tell yourself every day matters just as much – if not more than what's on your plate or how often you exercise.

Your thoughts can either keep you trapped in the same frustrating cycle, or they can move you forward toward lasting change.

How Your Beliefs Sabotage Every Attempt

Here's something most people don't realize: Your beliefs create your thoughts, and your thoughts shape your actions (or your inaction).

That's why it's possible to have the perfect plan sitting right in front of you and still not follow through. Your mind is telling you a different story.

Let me give you an example.

If you believe "I'm too old to change", your brain will automatically look for evidence to prove that belief right. You'll notice every ache and pain. You'll remember every failed diet. You'll focus on how tired you feel and how hard everything seems.

And that belief will stop you in your tracks before you even get started.

But here's the incredible part: you have the power to change that belief.

If you choose a new belief – something like "It's never too late to feel better in my body", your brain will also look for evidence to back that up. You'll start noticing the small wins. Better sleep. More energy. Fewer cravings. Steadier moods.

And that momentum? It will drive you to keep going.

This isn't just positive thinking or wishful affirmations. This is neuroscience.

And here’s what most people don’t realize – your thoughts don’t just affect your behavior – they affect your biology.  Chronic stress from negative self-talk raises cortisol, which raises blood sugar, which triggers insulin, which stores fat.

Your mind and body aren’t separate.  They’re in constant conversation.

The Science Behind Changing Your Thoughts

Your brain has something called neuroplasticity – the ability to form new neural pathways throughout your entire life.

Every time you think a thought, you strengthen a neural pathway in your brain. The more you repeat that thought, the stronger and more automatic that pathway becomes.

This is why negative self-talk feels so automatic. You've been thinking those same thoughts for years, maybe even decades. Those neural pathways are like well-worn roads in your brain.

But here's the good news: when you create new thoughts, you create new neural pathways.

At first, those new pathways feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Your brain wants to default back to the old, familiar path. But with repetition and consistency, those new thoughts become easier. They start to feel more natural. And eventually, they become your new normal.

This is how you rewire your brain. 

Think about learning to drive.  At first, every movement required conscious thought – mirror, signal, check blind spot.  Now?  You do it without thinking.  That’s neuroplasticity.  And you can use the same process to rewire your relationship with food, exercise, and yourself.

This is how lasting change happens.

And this is why creating new healthy habits is 95% mindset and only 5% willpower or discipline.

Once you shift your beliefs, the follow-through becomes so much easier.

Why You Can't Do This Alone

Here's the thing most women don't realize: you can't see your own blind spots.

Those limiting beliefs? They feel true to you. They feel like facts, not thoughts.

When you think "I don't have the time," it doesn't feel like a belief. It feels like reality.

When you think "I've tried everything and nothing works," you have plenty of evidence to support that statement.

This is why most women struggle to create lasting change on their own. It's not because they're not smart enough or capable enough. It's because they can't see the thoughts that are standing in their way.

This is where coaching becomes the game-changer.

As your coach, I can see what you can't see. I can hear the limiting beliefs hiding in your words. I can help you identify the thoughts that are keeping you stuck and guide you toward new beliefs that will move you forward.

I can help you recognize patterns you've been running on autopilot for years. And I can hold space for you to practice new ways of thinking until they become your new normal.

This is the real work. This is the 95% that makes everything else possible.

And it's the one thing you truly can't do on your own.

The Most Common Limiting Beliefs (And What They Really Mean)

Let's break down some of the most common thoughts I hear from women and what's really happening beneath the surface.

"I don't have the time."

What this really means: You haven't made yourself a priority yet. And deep down, you might not believe you're worth it.

The useful belief: My health is the foundation for everything else in my life. When I take care of myself, I show up better for everyone I love.

"I've tried everything."

What this really means: You've tried a lot of things, but you haven't addressed the root cause. You're also scared to hope again because past disappointments hurt.

The useful belief: I haven't tried everything. I just haven't found the right support yet. And now I'm ready to do this differently.

"I'll just take Ozempic (or whatever the next weight loss drug is)."

What this really means: You're looking for the quick fix because you don't believe you can succeed through sustainable change.

The useful belief: I deserve a solution that heals my body, not just masks the symptoms. I'm capable of creating lasting results.

“I’m too tired to deal with this right now.”

What this really means: You’re using exhaustion as a shield to avoid the discomfort of change.  And ironically, the very changes you’re avoiding are what will give you energy back.

The useful belief: My exhaustion is a symptom, not a life sentence.  Taking small steps toward better health will restore my energy.

"I don't like how I look."

What this really means: You've been at war with your body for so long, you've forgotten how to appreciate what it does for you every day.

The useful belief: My body has carried me through life, and it deserves my respect and care. I can love myself while working toward feeling better.

"I'm afraid I'll have to change my whole life."

What this really means: You're afraid of deprivation, restriction, and giving up everything you enjoy.

The useful belief: Sustainable health doesn't require a life overhaul. It requires small, doable steps that fit into my real life.

"I don't know if I'm ready for change."

What this really means: You're scared. And that's okay. Change feels vulnerable.

The useful belief: I don't have to be 100% ready. I just have to be willing to take the next small step.

"Will I have to eat healthy forever?"

What this really means: You see healthy eating as punishment, not nourishment.

The useful belief: Healthy eating isn't about perfection or restriction. It's about fueling my body so I can live the life I want.

"What if I fail again?"

What this really means: Past failures feel like proof that you can't succeed. And you're terrified of feeling that disappointment again.

The useful belief: Every attempt has taught me something valuable. This time, I have support, and I'm not doing this alone.

Do you see it now? Every limiting belief has a useful belief waiting on the other side.

How to Start Shifting Your Mindset Today

Changing your thoughts doesn't have to feel overwhelming or scary. It can be as simple as starting with one thought.

Here's a practical exercise you can try right now:

Step 1: Write down one thought you catch yourself saying that keeps you stuck.

Be honest. What's the story you're telling yourself about why you can't succeed?

Step 2: Flip it into a useful belief – something that feels true, but also encouraging.

This new belief doesn't have to be a giant leap. It just has to be slightly more empowering than the old one.

For example:

Limiting belief: "I'll never be able to stick with this."

Useful belief: "Every small step counts, and I'm learning how to stay consistent."

Step 3: Practice your new belief daily.

Write it down. Say it out loud. Repeat it when you catch yourself slipping into the old thought pattern.

Over time, these small shifts change the way you see yourself. And that changes everything.

You’re Not Too Old Or Too Late To Change

If you're in your 50s or beyond, I want you to hear this: this season of life can be one of the best chapters yet.

But only if your health supports the life you want to live.

As we age the stakes feel higher.  You’re watching the years slip by, watching your health decline, and wondering if you’ve missed your window … YOU HAVEN’T!

It's not too late. You're not too old. And you're definitely not too far gone.

You are never too old or too late to start taking better care of yourself.

It starts with your thoughts, one day at a time.

The Hard Truth About Lasting Change

Here's what I need you to understand: no one else can do this for you.

Not your doctor. Not your spouse. Not even me.

You hold the power to change the way you think, which will change the way you act.

One of my favorite reminders is this: If you don't make time for your wellness, you'll be forced to make time for your illness.

I don't recall who said this originally – I believe there are several versions out there, but every time I read it, you better believe I'm highly motivated.

This isn't meant to scare you. It's meant to wake you up to the choice you have right now.

You can keep telling yourself the same stories that keep you stuck. Or you can start creating new beliefs that move you forward.

And by the way, this works in all areas of life – health, relationships, work, self-development, and so on.

Why Coaching Is the Key to Success

This is the work I do with my clients every single day.

We don't just talk about meal plans and supplements (though those are important too). We dig into the beliefs that are holding them back. We identify the thoughts that sabotage their success before they even get started.

And we practice new ways of thinking until they become second nature.

This is why my clients get results when nothing else has worked. It's not because I have some magical meal plan. It's because we're addressing the 95% that actually matters – the mindset that drives every decision they make.

When you shift your beliefs, everything else falls into place. The healthy eating becomes easier. The exercise feels less overwhelming. The follow-through happens naturally because your brain is finally working with you instead of against you.

You can't see your own blind spots. But I can. And I can help you rewrite the stories that have been keeping you stuck.

If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and finally feel like yourself again, I'd love to support you on that journey.

Your Health Begins With What You Tell Yourself

Your health isn't just about food and exercise. It begins with what you tell yourself every single day.

The good news? You have more power than you think.

You can change your thoughts. You can create new beliefs. You can rewire your brain.

And when you do, lasting results aren't just possible – they're inevitable.

Ready to start shifting your mindset?

I created a simple Useful Belief Creation Worksheet to help you practice this exact process. This worksheet is gold – it’s the exact proces I use with my clients to identify and shift self-limiting beliefs.  It’s my gift to you and it works!  Many women just like you have used it to create their first breakthrough.  

👉 Download Your Free Worksheet & Practice On Your Own 

Ready for personalized support?  Book a free consult call so I can help you identity the beliefs you can’t see on your own.   

👉 Book Your Free Consult Call

You are worth it. And it's never too late.

In good health,

Kris Flies, BCHN®
Holistic Nutrition Practitioner

P.S. The voice in your head isn't always telling you the truth. But with the right support, you can learn to rewrite the script … and that changes everything.