Do I Have to Do this Every Day?

As a nurse practitioner, I often hear this question: “Do I have to take this medication for the rest of my life?”

The truth? Sometimes, yes. For example, I had my thyroid removed because of thyroid cancer. That means I’ll take thyroid medication for the rest of my life. No choice in that one.

Other times, it comes down to genetics. Some people do everything “right”—eat well, exercise, manage stress—and still need blood pressure medication. But imagine how much worse their health would be without those healthy habits in place.

When I’m working with people in my role as a health coach, I hear a similar version of this question: “Do I really have to exercise for the rest of my life?” “This takes too much time.” “I don’t have time to exercise.”

Here’s what frustrates me: our culture normalizes hours of sitting in front of screens, but when someone consistently exercises, that is seen as unusual.

The truth is, learning how to prioritize movement is one of the most important things you can do—especially as you age.

If you were active in high school, college, or your twenties and then stopped, I have good news: your strength will come back easier than you think. That mind-muscle connection you built years ago is still there—it just needs to wake up.

If you’re starting later—in your 30s, 40s, or beyond—that’s okay too. Just start slow. But decisions will have to be made. Maybe that means swapping time with your favorite show for a walk. Maybe it means using your lunch break for a 20-minute walk or some stretching in your office. On busy mornings, I’ll stretch while my coffee brews. Little things add up.

And here’s another truth: you don’t have to spend an hour in the gym every day to see results. If you also love an hour at the gym, that’s fantastic. I would love an hour every day in the gym. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work in my schedule, but I still make sure to be consistent depending on life’s responsibilities. But if you don’t, know that two to three full-body workouts per week—or even a couple of quick exercises each day—make a big difference. The key is consistency.

Muscle strength protects your health in so many ways. It lowers your risk of disease, improves recovery if you do get sick or injured, and makes daily life easier.

So yes—you will have to do something every day for the rest of your life. The real question is: Do you want that “something” to be taking a handful of pills every day…Or do you want it to be moving your body, fueling it well, and protecting your health?

We can skate in our 20s, sometimes into our 30s, and maybe even into our 40s. But inactivity and poor diet will eventually catch up. And here’s some food for thought, our kids follow what you do, not what you say. If they see you living an unhealthy lifestyle, odds are they’ll repeat it. Don’t leave that legacy.

In primary care, time is limited. Most providers barely get a chance to encourage more walking and less fast food. And while that’s a start, it’s not enough if you want to learn to thrive.

That’s where health coaching comes in. It’s individualized. What works for your neighbor may not work for you. If you’re ready to find what actually fits your life, send me a message. I’d love to guide you toward the program that’s right for you.