Why Restarting Happens More Than You Think
Updated: May 22
Hi, I’m Carmen, the Lead Health Coach with MHF.
Something I really want to bring up is this: Every single day we wake up, we start again.
It’s a new day. A fresh start.
We don’t actually need to wait until Monday, next month, or “when life calms down” to begin again. But if we do feel like we need to wait, it’s worth asking ourselves why.
Is it because we feel like we need one last “hoorah” before we start? One last weekend free of exercise. One last cookie. One last time doing all the things we think we have to give up forever?
Honestly, when I have days that don’t feel supportive of my health, I try to stop and ask myself why.
Not in a judgmental way. Just with curiosity.
Because a lot of self-awareness comes from asking better questions.³
Why did that happen? What was going on that day? Was I overwhelmed? Exhausted? Trying to do too much? Did I set expectations that weren’t realistic for my life at that moment?¹ ⁴
Most people think restarting means they failed.¹ It doesn’t. In fact, restarting is often part of the process of figuring out what actually works for you. ¹
│ The interesting thing is that getting started and restarting are actually very different emotionally.
When we first start something, there’s usually…. Hope. Motivation. Excitement. We’re focused on possibility.
But restarting? Restarting usually comes after disappointment. That’s why it can feel heavier. Because now we’re carrying thoughts like:
“Why can’t I stay consistent?”
“I should be further ahead by now.”
“Maybe I’m just bad at this.”
So instead of seeing restarting as part of the process, we start treating it like proof that we failed.¹ But honestly, restarting is often where the real learning happens.
You start noticing what wasn’t realistic. What created overwhelm. What didn’t fit your life. What pushed you into all-or-nothing thinking.¹ ⁴
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t getting started. It’s figuring out how to keep going when life gets busy, routines change, or motivation drops.²
That’s where support can help.
Not because you failed. But because sometimes having guidance, accountability, or a different perspective makes it easier to keep moving forward instead of starting over again.² ³
If you’re noticing barriers showing up, explore some of the common ones below.
Research & Resources
Hall, K. et al. The Secret Life of All-or-Nothing Thinking with Exercise: New Insights into an Overlooked Barrier. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12831378/
Rhodes, R. E., & Kates, A. Can the Affective Response to Exercise Predict Future Motives and Physical Activity Behavior? A Systematic Review of Published Evidence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11102891/
Bandura, A. Self-Efficacy Interventions. In: Handbook of Behavior Change. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/handbook-of-behavior-change/selfefficacy-interventions/D4EC41A2F16CB6171058C5B00AE575AB
Segar, M. et al. Research on exercise adherence and behaviour maintenance. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1469029217307963
Lally, P. et al. How Are Habits Formed: Modelling Habit Formation in the Real World. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674
This article includes evidence-informed resources related to exercise, behavior change, and long-term health habits.
This content is educational in nature and is not medical, psychological, or psychiatric advice. If you are struggling with significant mental health concerns, disordered behaviors, or emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.
In partnership with My Heart Fitness, a physician-led digital health platform focused on sustainable exercise and health outcomes.
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