Are you paying attention? Has it happened to you yet, that come-to-fitness moment?

You know, the moment when you know without a shadow of a doubt you must do something, anything, now to take better care of yourself. It’s not just the times when you ate too much and promised to restrict calories the rest of the week; nor is it the times that you felt guilty because you missed an evening walk or a visit to the gym. It’s bigger than that. It’s that moment when you realize you have to make systematic changes and stick to them or face some dismal consequences.

I think many of us have them often. Some of us shrug them off or don’t recognize that epiphany because our lives are too busy. After all, it’s different for everyone.

For myself, I knew that I had to do things differently as pounds piled on but my problem had always been with consistency. I can’t afford not to follow through because high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes runs in my family. In the midst of my journey, someone I know had a heart attack just before her 40th birthday. That has been her come-to-fitness moment. Her experience reaffirmed that it was important to become unwavering in my efforts.

While this person is doing fine now, she has to be very conscious about the food she eats, how much exercise she gets and the stress she encounters in order to prevent another episode — all while taking a lot of medication. That’s too heavy of a burden to have at 40.

I’ve talked with other people who have had cardiac experiences, but it doesn’t always translate into a lifelong change. Many people who survive a serious event still struggle with consistency, seeing the health goals all the way through.

I understand how hard it is incorporate healthy eating and fitness especially when you’ve done it differently most of your life.

Realizing your come-to-fitness moment does not mean you have to become a gym rat, eat like a rabbit or even become the image of health. Just take it one step at a time. Seek support from family, friends and co-workers or get professional help–whatever it takes.  Every day that you have breath is a chance to change for the better, no matter how much you’ve messed up before.