Reader Ready To Start A Fitness Journey
DEAR HARRIETTE: Last month, I received some concerning news about my health, and it made me realize that I need to take better care of myself. I want to start working out, meditating and eating healthier, but honestly, I don't know where to begin. The idea of completely changing my lifestyle feels overwhelming, and I've never been great at sticking to a routine when it comes to fitness or healthy eating. I worry that I'll start strong but lose motivation quickly, especially when life gets busy or when I don't see immediate results. I also don't want to fall into an all-or-nothing mindset where I feel guilty if I slip up. How can I create a realistic, sustainable wellness journey that allows me to build better habits without feeling like I have to be perfect? Where should I start so that this process feels manageable rather than intimidating? -- Choosing Fitness
DEAR CHOOSING FITNESS: Find out if your insurance will give you support through a dietician. Having professional guidance when designing an eating plan could be a helpful first step in creating a workable strategy to meet your goals. Either way, map out what you will eat and plan your meals weekly. This will help to establish discipline around what you ingest.
Similarly, schedule a weekly fitness routine. What are you willing to do each day for your health? Can you walk for 20 minutes? Go to the gym three times a week? Turn on music and dance on a daily basis? Get an accountability partner who will help you stay true to your fitness goals? Figure out something that you can and will do to establish a fitness routine, and stay on track.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm writing this in response to "No Hope," the person dating a guy with no money who was less than forthcoming to her about his circumstances. You suggested that the guy is in some sort of crisis mode, and that No Hope should be nice and remain friends with him to help him through this unfortunate rough patch. She is not a social worker nor a therapist, and she should not be a bottomless well of understanding and compassion.
Even if No Hope has deep pockets and doesn't mind paying for every single little thing this guy needs or wants, eventually the guy will suck every single ounce of kindness and patience right out of her soul.
I think that No Hope is getting played, plain and simple. I would suggest an end to the relationship. It's just a few months in, and No Hope is already confused and not thinking with a clear head. Some hard truths, kindly delivered, will help No Hope decide whether the situation is worth one more second.
For what it's worth, I think that you usually respond to the people who write to you with reason and wisdom. This time, not so much. -- Think Again
DEAR THINK AGAIN: I have to admit that you are making good points here. I was thinking about all the people these days who have lost their jobs and are struggling, and I wanted to have compassion for them. That doesn't give them a pass to put one over on others. Thanks for the reality check!
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(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Copyright 2025, Harriette Cole
COPYRIGHT 2025 Andrews McMeel Syndication. This feature may not be reproduced or distributed electronically, in print or otherwise without the written permission of Andrews McMeel Syndication.
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