You're One Decision Away From Feeling Like Yourself Again
Why the gap between knowing and doing is where transformation lives
I need to tell you something that might surprise you:
You're exactly one decision away from a completely different health journey.
One decision away from feeling strong, clear, and capable in your body again. One decision away from waking up proud of your choices instead of frustrated with your lack of progress. One decision away from becoming the version of yourself that feels as good as she looks.
And that decision isn't what you think it is.
It's not choosing the perfect diet plan or finding the ideal workout routine. It's not waiting for Monday or for life to calm down or for motivation to strike.
The decision that changes everything is this: Stop waiting.
The Waiting Game We All Play
Let me paint you a picture that might feel familiar:
You know exactly what you need to do. You've read the articles, listened to the podcasts, maybe even hired coaches before. You understand that protein matters, that strength training builds muscle, that sleep affects everything, that stress impacts your progress.
You're not lacking information. You're lacking implementation.
But instead of starting today, you tell yourself:
"I'll start Monday when I can meal prep properly"
"I'll begin after this busy work project ends"
"I'll wait until I can commit 100% and do it perfectly"
"I'll start when I have more time/energy/motivation"
Meanwhile, Monday comes and goes. The work project ends but another begins. The perfect time never arrives.
And you remain exactly where you are, frustrated and waiting.
The Truth About Perfect Timing
Here's what I've learned after coaching hundreds of women through transformation: The perfect time to start is a myth.
There will always be a reason to wait:
Work will always have busy seasons
Family responsibilities don't pause for your fitness goals
Life will continue to be messy and unpredictable
Motivation fluctuates like the weather
The women who succeed aren't the ones who wait for perfect conditions. They're the ones who start imperfectly and adjust as they go.
They don't wait for Monday; they start on Tuesday afternoon. They don't wait for a free weekend to meal prep; they prepare what they can in 20 minutes. They don't wait to feel motivated; they act their way into feeling better.
The Knowing vs. Doing Gap
This gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it is where most transformation journeys die.
Why Knowing Isn't Enough
Information overload: We live in an age where we have access to unlimited health and fitness information. But more information doesn't equal better results. Often, it leads to analysis paralysis.
Perfectionism: We think we need to understand everything perfectly before we start. We want to have the ideal plan, the perfect schedule, and complete certainty before taking action.
All-or-nothing thinking: We believe that if we can't do something perfectly or completely, we shouldn't do it at all. This keeps us stuck in planning mode instead of action mode.
Fear of failure: Sometimes we stay in the knowing phase because it feels safe. As long as we're researching and planning, we can't fail. But we also can't succeed.
The Power of Imperfect Action
Action creates momentum: Once you start moving, even imperfectly, it becomes easier to keep moving. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion.
Action provides feedback: You can't learn what works for your body and lifestyle until you start trying things. Real-world feedback beats theoretical knowledge every time.
Action builds confidence: Every small action you take proves to yourself that you're capable of change. This confidence compounds over time.
Action creates identity shift: When you start acting like someone who prioritizes their health, you begin to see yourself that way. Identity drives behavior more than motivation.
As research from Dr. Shawn Achor on behavior change shows, taking small actions creates positive momentum that makes larger changes feel more achievable over time.
The Five-Second Rule for Health Decisions
You've probably heard of Mel Robbins' Five-Second Rule: the moment you have an instinct to act on a goal, count down from five and physically move before your brain talks you out of it.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO.
This technique works because it interrupts the pattern of overthinking and self-doubt that keeps us stuck in waiting mode.
Here's how to apply it to your health journey:
For Nutrition Decisions
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... drink that glass of water
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... add protein to your breakfast
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... put down the phone and eat mindfully
For Movement Decisions
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... put on your walking shoes
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... do 10 squats right now
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... take the stairs instead of the elevator
For Planning Decisions
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... open your calendar and schedule that workout
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... make your grocery list for healthy meals
5, 4, 3, 2, 1... take that assessment you've been putting off
The magic isn't in the counting. The magic is in the immediate action that follows.
The Compound Effect of Daily Decisions
One decision might seem insignificant, but decisions compound over time.
Day 1: You decide to drink 64 oz of water
This seems small, but it starts building the identity of someone who prioritizes hydration.
Week 1: You've consistently hit your water goal
Your energy improves slightly, and you feel proud of following through on a commitment to yourself.
Month 1: Hydration has become automatic
You've proven to yourself that you can create new habits. This confidence spills over into other areas.
Month 3: You've added protein goals and daily walks
The momentum from one small decision has snowballed into multiple healthy habits.
Month 6: You feel like a completely different person
Not because of any single decision, but because of the compound effect of choosing action over waiting, day after day.
Common Excuses That Keep Us Waiting
Let's address the most common reasons people give for not starting today:
"I don't have time to do it right"
Reality check: You don't need to do it perfectly. You need to do it consistently. Twenty minutes of imperfect action beats zero minutes of perfect planning.
"I'm too stressed/busy right now"
Reality check: Stress and busyness are exactly when you need healthy habits most. Start with tiny actions that reduce stress rather than add to it.
"I want to start fresh on Monday"
Reality check: Monday isn't magical. Wednesday afternoon is just as good for starting your transformation.
"I need to research more first"
Reality check: You already know enough to start. More research is often just sophisticated procrastination.
"I'm afraid I'll fail again"
Reality check: The only real failure is not trying. Everything else is just data that helps you adjust your approach.
The One Decision Framework
If you're ready to stop waiting and start doing, here's a simple framework:
Step 1: Choose One Thing
Pick ONE small action you can take today. Not tomorrow, not Monday, not when life calms down. Today.
Examples:
Track your protein for one meal
Take a 10-minute walk
Drink an extra glass of water
Do 5 pushups
Schedule one workout this week
Prepare one healthy snack
Step 2: Make It Specific and Immediate
Instead of "I'll drink more water," say "I'll drink 16 oz of water in the next hour." Instead of "I'll exercise more," say "I'll do 10 squats before I sit back down."
Step 3: Use the 5-Second Rule
When you feel the impulse to act, count down and move immediately. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... and take action before your brain can create excuses.
Step 4: Celebrate the Win
Acknowledge that you followed through on your commitment to yourself. This positive reinforcement makes you more likely to repeat the behavior.
Step 5: Build Tomorrow
Once today's action is complete, decide on one thing you'll do tomorrow. Keep the momentum going.
Why This Works When Other Approaches Don't
It's Immediately Achievable
You're not committing to a 6-week program or a complete lifestyle overhaul. You're committing to one action today.
It Builds Self-Trust
Every time you follow through on a small commitment to yourself, you strengthen your belief in your ability to change.
It Creates Momentum
Action leads to more action. Starting small makes it easier to scale up over time.
It Removes the Pressure of Perfection
You're not trying to transform your entire life today. You're just taking one small step forward.
It Works with Real Life
This approach doesn't require perfect conditions, unlimited time, or complete motivation. It works with whatever capacity you have right now.
The Science of Small Starts
Research from Dr. BJ Fogg at Stanford shows that lasting behavior change happens through tiny habits that grow over time, not through dramatic overhauls that require massive willpower.
Small actions are easy to start, easy to maintain, and easy to build upon.
When you start with actions that feel almost ridiculously easy, you remove the barriers that typically prevent follow-through:
No special equipment needed
No significant time commitment
No perfect conditions required
No advanced knowledge necessary
Your Decision Point
Right now, as you read this, you're at a decision point.
You can close this post and continue waiting for the perfect time to start taking care of yourself.
Or you can decide that today—imperfect as it may be—is the day you stop waiting and start doing.
Your transformation doesn't begin when conditions are perfect. It begins when you decide to start anyway.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Challenge
Here's my challenge to you:
Before you close this post, before you move on to the next thing on your to-do list, before you tell yourself you'll start tomorrow...
Count down from 5 and take ONE action right now.
5... Think of one small thing you can do in the next 5 minutes 4... Get specific about what that action looks like 3... Stand up or get ready to move 2... Stop thinking and start doing 1... GO
What will your one action be?
Drink a glass of water
Do 10 jumping jacks
Walk to the end of your driveway and back
Add a workout to your calendar
Text a friend about your health goals
Take that assessment you've been considering
Ready to turn one decision into lasting transformation?
I've created a comprehensive Metabolic Assessment that helps you understand exactly what your body needs to feel strong, energetic, and confident again.
This isn't another thing to add to your "someday" list. This is your 5-4-3-2-1 moment.
Take the Metabolic Assessment Now →
Because the gap between where you are and where you want to be is bridged by one decision at a time.
The Bottom Line
You're not lacking information, motivation, or capability.
You're lacking action.
The version of yourself that feels strong, confident, and energetic isn't waiting for perfect conditions. She's taking imperfect action consistently.
She's one decision away. And that decision is available to you right now.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
Let's go.
Coach Megann helps women bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it through personalized, action-focused strategies. Take the Metabolic Assessment to discover your specific path from knowing to doing.
