understanding the "why" when setting your goals

Bad habits don’t usually kick down the door. They sneak in slowly—like a cold Diet Dr. Pepper at 9am, pretending to be harmless.

Growing up, soda was a treat. Pizza night. Summer BBQs. Ski trips in Vermont. It felt special. Fast-forward to college and it became my study buddy—ice cold, bubbly caffeine in a can (none of that sad fountain stuff, thank you very much). When my dentist broke the news about two cavities, I made the "healthy" switch to Diet Pepsi. Which obviously turned into Diet Coke. And eventually, Coke Zero or Diet Dr. Pepper, depending on the mood.

Then came the restrictive diet phase, and things got serious. I was “allowed” caffeine-free Diet Coke. It made me feel full. So I drank more. Because hey—less eating, more soda. That’s healthy, right?

Twenty years later, I was drinking it daily. One can, sometimes two. Always stocked in the fridge. Always ready by noon. I knew it wasn’t hydrating me or doing me any favors nutritionally, but it felt like a fix—sweet, refreshing, predictable. Until one day I thought… wait. Why am I still doing this?

Then BOOM—like the universe was eavesdropping—the W.H.O. dropped a report linking aspartame to “possible” cancer risk (read it HERE). Cool cool cool. Was that the reason I finally quit? Nope. But it sure didn’t hurt.

Here’s the thing: I used to tell myself I should quit soda. But the shift came when I finally wanted to. And that distinction changed everything.

In health coaching, we talk a lot about “should” goals vs. “want” goals.

“Should” feels like pressure. Obligation. Guilt.
“Want” feels like ownership. Intention. Power.

If you're chasing a goal because it sounds virtuous or looks good on a checklist, you're more likely to bail when things get hard. But when you’re driven by genuine desire—even for something as random as ditching a soda habit—you’re way more likely to follow through.

Once I tapped into my real why, I made a plan. Small steps. Daily choices. Nothing dramatic.

And slowly, everything shifted.
I stopped feeling like I needed the soda.
I stopped craving it.
And weirdly? I started feeling better—clearer mind, more energy, no afternoon crash.
Even better? I felt freakin' proud of myself.

On July 1, 2025, it’ll be TWO YEARS since I had a single sip of soda.

Two. Years.

So if you’re standing at the edge of a goal right now, wondering if you can actually stick with it—start with your why.

Make it real. Make it personal. Make it yours.