The Path of Least Resistance

Have you ever found yourself frustrated for doing the easy thing instead of the right one?

Do you ever get mad at yourself for skipping your workout when you know it would have made you feel better?

Or, how about that piece of leftover chocolate cake that you could have dumped in the garbage, but you devoured it instead?

I also scratch my head sometimes wondering:

Why don’t we do what we know we should do?

Here’s why…humans are like streams.

Our thoughts, our emotions, our actions . . . they all flow in the path of least resistance.

  • When we choose to ruminate over some negative event, although it's uncomfortable, it is still easier than facing the part of ourself that is ready to move on.

  • Or, if we have difficulty embracing our own success, we will find it easier to remain angry and disappointed . . . even if it's painful to hold onto those emotions . . . simply because to see ourselves as a bright light is even more painful. 

Instead of doing what’s right…

we make decisions based on what seems easiest…

to minimize our pain while maximizing our reward.

**** You’re thinking: “Wait…if that’s the case…I’ll never get off the couch!” ****

Yet…we aren’t blobs of clay.

We don’t actually just want physical comfort

We yearn for something greater.

…and if you’re reading this, you want something more than what already is.

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Consider B. She knew her 50th birthday was just around the corner…and was tired of looking “chubby” in her face. One year later, she’s down 4 pant sizes and over 27 pounds. Her path of least resistance went from convenience eating to not wanting to feel bad about herself.


Or, what about K, who believes in quality ingredients and loves his baked goods. Because he’d prefer to feel amazing in his body, he’s making his treats into an occasional enjoyment instead of daily indulgences. He’s lost 3% body fat, gained 5 pounds in muscle…and feels amazing.


As for myself…

Despite being in the fitness profession, 

I don't naturally eat well.

I don't naturally exercise 6x/week.

And for whatever reason, I don't even naturally do what makes me feel best on a moment by moment basis.

And yet…

I eat well more days than not

I get moving even when I don’t feel like it

Why: I understand that eating well and exercising ARE my paths of least resistance.

If I could get away with eating sleeves or Oreos, and not exercising for weeks on end (not to mention spending my time watching old Masterpiece Theater mini-series), truth is I'd probably do it.

But I don't . . .

because the cost is too high..

For me to eat poorly and not exercise is similar to inviting symptoms . . . one by one to my body’s misery party.

It might start fun . . .

  • the sense of freedom

  • independence

  • feeling in control

But that initial high doesn't last long.

Instead, the dark underbelly of my behavior is exposed . . .

  • moodiness

  • irritability

  • low self-esteem

And as if these side effects are not enough, my body punches me with . . . 

  • an unending achy-ness that runs through my joints and hurts as I walk

  • an energy gas tank that remains on empty

  • the discomfort of a stomach unfulfilled or overly full

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One of our gifts is the ability to think about our own thoughts and CHOOSE what we do about them.

Along with that ability, is the capacity for change.

When you notice a habit that you're not happy with,

or, you don't like what you see in the mirror,

you have the power to choose whether you stay the same or you change.

To stay the same is easy…your habits will continue to follow the path you’ve already created.

To change, however means that you need to place a diversion in the stream of your day to reroute the flow of attitude, behavior, and habits.

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You can divert your stream's flow suddenly with a something big like a dam

  • hire a personal trainer who holds you accountable

  • commit to stop eating processed sugar

  • make your house a no junk zone

or make smaller changes with something subtle like a rock

  • go for a walk every day

  • wake up an hour earlier each day to meditate or pray

  • use smaller plates and bowls to limit your portion sizes

. . . whatever it is . . . do something to make it easier to do the right thing.


You need to make choices that

make it more painful to NOT do what you said you would do

so that you can ultimately have a happier life.

Create your dam . . . your rock . . . your diversion . . . 

and make your path of least resistance be the path to better health.


Strength for Life ~ in a body you love.

- Coach Rebecca



Rebecca Boskovic