Food represents so much more than just the nutrition it provides. Food is intimately tied to our emotions - to feelings of comfort, joy, nostalgia. It is also deeply social and heavily influenced by our family and friends as well as the traditions or celebrations we participate in. For all these reasons, making changes to what you eat can be challenging.

So when we know it will be challenging we have to ask ourselves why we're doing it. After all, why would we make big changes or do something difficult unless we have a really good reason for it?

If you are aiming to change the way you eat or other lifestyle factors, you need to be clear on your why. Why do you want to make these changes? You'll need to dig deep until you get to the real answer. What's the answer at your very core?

Sometimes it can take a bit of time, peeling back the layers of reasons, to understand why you want to do something. You might find it helpful to take some time for yourself and write out your thoughts as you think through your "why."

Maybe you want to lose weight, and you think the reason is that you believe you will be happier when you lose it. But, for every reason you give, ask "why?" again, until you can't ask it anymore.

Why will you be happier when you lose weight? Maybe the reason is that you want to be able to be healthy and active for a long time.

Why? Because you want to be able to keep up with your grandchildren for years to come.

Why? Because quality time with your grandchildren keeps you connected with them.

Why does this matter to you? Because your grandchildren bring you joy.

Why? Because they're your grandchildren, whom you love more than anything in the world!

You've reached the end of your "why's." That is your reason: Your grandchildren.

When you need to make a difficult change, just thinking of the goal "I want to lose weight" may not be enough to keep you motivated in the long term. You will need to tap back into your "why": "I am doing this because I love my grandchildren."

Everyone has their own "why." Ask yourself what yours is, and keep asking until you get to your own. Then remind yourself of your "why" when you're faced with those difficult challenges.