In last week’s post, we talked about seeing the healthy habits maze- that is, understanding what barriers (walls) and predisposing factors (paths) influence our healthy habits.

If you’re struggling to stick to your dietary resolutions this early in 2021, it’s probably because the walls (health barriers) of your healthy habit decision maze are blocking your path. The paths (habits) that are easily accessible lead directly to your current habits. And you can’t see how to reach your goals. It would take superhuman strength to break through those walls. But, you don’t need to.

The secret to changing your eating (and any behavior, really), is a little finesse.

Don’t forget that you’re the chief architect of this healthy habits decision maze. For Black folks in the U.S, social structures and policies have erected tons of walls blocking us from healthier living, but we have the ultimate power to re-design them. Keep reading to see how to shift your walls, build step stools, and open up the paths to a healthier, fuller life.

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So, today we name your walls (barriers to healthy habits) and paths.

What Do Behavior Change Barriers Look Like?

You have these very real barriers in your life. They may be hard to see because they’re abstract in concept. But, once you learn to identify barriers, it’s hard to miss them. Our goal here is to help you recognize those barriers. And, guess what- that’s the first step in changing your habits!

Some common barriers to changing eating habits:

• TIME:

  • “I don’t have enough time to prep healthful foods because I’m balancing family responsibilities and work, and I just don’t have enough help.”

• ACCESS:

  • “I don’t have access to healthful foods because I live far away from a grocery store” or “Some healthy foods are so expensive, I can’t even afford them.”

• SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE:

  • “I wouldn’t know where to start making a healthful meal. How do I even cook vegetables?“

• CRAVINGS/EMOTIONAL EATING:

  • “I laaaaahv fries [Oprah voice]! They make me feel warm inside, especially after a stressful day. I want to cut back, and eat more veggies instead, but I don’t know how I could possibly fight my fry cravings.”

Think carefully. Which of these types of barriers have you run into? What can you do to shift them?

3) Redesign Your Own Maze

What does shifting barriers look like?

• To shift barriers, context is key