Can't Seem to Stick to Eating Healthy? Let's Fix That For Good!

Have you ever wondered why sticking to healthy eating feels impossible? You’re not alone. Life after breast cancer can feel like someone pulled the rug out from under you. You’re left asking, “What now? How do I feel like me again?”

Hi, I’m Karin Del Maestro, health coach and resilient routines expert, and today, we’re breaking down three reasons why sticking to healthy habits feels hard and how to finally make progress—without burning out.

The Overwhelm is Real—And It’s Not Your Fault

Even as a health coach, I remember Googling, “What should I eat after breast cancer?” I was met with 300 million responses. Yes, 300 million! No wonder it feels overwhelming. Add in messages from diet culture telling us to “go hard or go home,” and it’s a recipe for exhaustion and frustration.

But here’s the thing: healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, and perfection is not the goal. Let’s shift your mindset and dig into the truth about why healthy eating feels so hard.

Reason #1: You Don’t YET Trust the Process

Imagine a farmer planting a seed but pulling it up the next day because they don’t see a sprout. Silly, right? Yet, this is what we often do to ourselves. Small, consistent efforts are like seeds—they need time to grow roots before showing visible progress.

Action Step: Start small. Trust that every healthy choice, no matter how tiny, is building a solid foundation for your health.

Reason #2: All-or-Nothing Thinking

Diet culture has drilled into us that if we can’t do it perfectly, we’re failing. But life gets “lifey,” as I like to say—work, family, exhaustion all show up. And when perfection feels unattainable, we throw in the towel.

After my diagnosis, I couldn’t cook from scratch every meal like I used to. Instead of giving up, I focused on small, doable actions—like adding carrot sticks to my day.

Action Step: Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset. Small, consistent choices—like adding a veggie snack—are enough.

Reason #3: You Think It’s Too Hard

Climbing a mountain isn’t about leaping to the top—it’s one step at a time. Healthy eating works the same way. Trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle at once only leads to overwhelm and giving up.

Action Step: Focus on one small, manageable change. It could be as simple as drinking an extra glass of water or swapping one snack for a healthier option. Small steps build momentum.

A System That Works

After my own struggles, I created the E.A.S.Y. Habit System, designed specifically for breast cancer survivors. It’s not about perfection—it’s about meeting you where you are and making changes that feel doable, even on your most exhausted days.

If you’re ready to plant the seed for healthier eating, I’d love to invite you to my 5-Day EASY Healthy Eating Reset. It’s a supportive, step-by-step journey to help you feel less overwhelmed and more confident in your choices.

Are you ready to grow together, one small step at a time?
✴️ CLICK HERE  ✴️ to join the reset and see how much progress you can make in just five days.