The “Backing Into a Parking Spot” Theory of Health: Why Doing the Hard Thing Now Makes Life Easier Later
There was an article in The New York Times recently about something surprisingly specific: people who back into parking spaces versus people who pull straight into them.
The premise was simple. Some drivers take the extra time to back into a spot, while others pull in quickly and deal with the consequences later.
But one of the writers in the Times’ morning newsletter took the idea a step further. They wondered whether this small habit reflects something larger about how people approach life.
Backing into a parking space takes more effort in the moment. It requires patience, attention, and sometimes a second attempt to get it right.
But the reward comes later. When it’s time to leave, pulling out is easy.
Pulling forward into a spot is the opposite. It’s quick and convenient right now - but leaving later can be trickier.
In other words, one choice requires doing the harder thing now so that things are easier later.
And once you start thinking about it, that idea applies to far more than parking.
The Pull of Immediate Gratification
Modern life is designed for convenience.
If you want ice cream but don’t feel like leaving the couch, it can be delivered. If you need something for tomorrow, it can appear on your doorstep overnight. If you’re bored, entertainment is available instantly.
Convenience isn’t inherently bad. In many ways it makes life smoother and more efficient.
But it also makes it easier to prioritize immediate comfort over long-term well-being.
This tendency shows up frequently in the health world.
Many people understandably want to feel better quickly. Fatigue, stress, digestive issues, pain, or hormonal imbalances can disrupt daily life, and the natural instinct is to look for the fastest solution possible.
A common question practitioners hear is some version of: “Is there a pill that will fix this?”
The honest answer is usually no.
Lasting improvements in health almost always come from consistent habits, supportive care, and gradual changes over time.
In other words, they come from doing the harder thing now so that life is easier later.
The Long-Term Mindset in Health
When health decisions are viewed through the lens of “doing the hard thing now,” everyday habits begin to take on new meaning.
Small choices start to look less like inconveniences and more like investments in future well-being.
For example:
Preparing breakfast ahead of time makes it more likely that you’ll actually eat in the morning rather than skipping it.
Strength training today supports muscle mass, metabolism, and mobility later in life.
Working on balance now helps reduce fall risk as the body ages.
Eating regular meals throughout the day can prevent the mid-afternoon sugar crash many people experience.
Creating healthy lifestyle habits can support fertility and reproductive health in the future.
None of these things offer instant gratification.
But over time, they can make an enormous difference in how the body feels and functions.
This is the heart of preventative health.
Why Preventative Health Matters
Preventative health focuses on strengthening the body before major problems develop.
Instead of waiting until symptoms become severe, this approach looks at the patterns that influence health over time: sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, hormone balance, and emotional well-being.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s supporting the body’s natural ability to maintain balance.
When the body is supported early, many chronic issues become easier to manage - or sometimes easier to avoid altogether.
For example:
Addressing chronic stress now can help prevent long-term nervous system burnout.
Improving sleep habits can support immune health, mood, and metabolism.
Supporting digestion helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively.
Balancing hormones early may help prevent more complex challenges later.
Preventative care asks people to invest a little effort now so that their future selves benefit.
It’s essentially the health version of backing into the parking spot.
How Holistic Therapies Support Long-Term Wellness
Holistic health practices such as Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Cupping, and Gua Sha fit naturally into this philosophy of doing the harder work now to support better health later.
Rather than simply masking symptoms, these approaches focus on supporting the body’s natural regulatory systems. By improving circulation, calming the nervous system, and addressing underlying imbalances, they help the body move toward a more stable and resilient state.
Many people initially seek out these therapies for a specific concern - such as chronic pain, stress, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, hormonal imbalances, or fertility support.
But something interesting often happens along the way.
As care continues, people frequently notice broader shifts in how they feel overall: better sleep, more consistent energy, improved mood, and a greater sense of balance in their bodies.
That’s because holistic approaches like Functional Medicine and traditional therapies work with the body as an interconnected system rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation.
And like many aspects of long-term health, the benefits tend to build gradually over time.
A single treatment may provide relief or insight.
But a thoughtful plan of care - combined with supportive lifestyle changes - can help create deeper, more lasting improvements in overall wellness.
Small Habits That Support Long-Term Health
Thinking about health through the “backing into the parking spot” mindset can make certain habits easier to prioritize.
Some examples include:
Eating balanced meals earlier in the day: Regular meals stabilize blood sugar and help prevent energy crashes and intense cravings later.
Strength training and movement: Maintaining muscle mass supports metabolism, bone density, and mobility as the body ages.
Managing stress proactively: Practices like acupuncture, meditation, or breathwork can help regulate the nervous system and reduce chronic tension.
Supporting sleep: Quality sleep influences everything from hormone balance to cognitive function.
Seeking preventative care: Regular acupuncture treatments or holistic health support can help address imbalances before they become larger issues.
None of these habits are flashy or dramatic.
But over months and years, they can quietly transform overall well-being.
The Future Version of You
Health isn’t built in a single day.
It’s built through thousands of small choices that accumulate over time.
The body you live in ten years from now will reflect many of the habits you practice today.
That doesn’t mean life has to be rigid or uncomfortable. There is plenty of room for joy, spontaneity, and the occasional shortcut.
But it can be helpful to remember that some of the best decisions are the ones that require a little more effort upfront.
Because sometimes the smartest move- the one that leads to the smoothest path forward - is simply backing into the parking spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the “backing into the parking spot” theory mean for health?
The “backing into the parking spot” theory is a metaphor for making choices today that support easier health later. Habits like regular movement, balanced nutrition, and stress management may take effort now but often help prevent more complex health challenges over time.
Why do long-term health habits often feel harder in the moment?
Many healthy behaviors provide delayed benefits rather than immediate rewards. While habits like strength training, improving sleep, or preparing nutritious meals require effort upfront, they help build long-term energy, resilience, and physical function.
What is preventative health and why does it matter?
Preventative health focuses on supporting the body before significant health concerns develop. By prioritizing lifestyle habits and supportive care such as acupuncture, it aims to maintain balance and reduce the risk of more serious issues over time.
How can small daily habits influence long-term health?
Consistent daily habits play a significant role in how the body functions over time. Regular movement, balanced meals, quality sleep, and stress management support energy levels, metabolic health, and nervous system regulation.
Why do many health improvements take time to notice?
The body typically responds best to steady, consistent support rather than quick fixes. Lifestyle changes and holistic therapies often produce gradual improvements as the body restores balance.
What are some examples of “doing the hard thing now” for better health later?
Examples include preparing balanced meals, maintaining a consistent exercise routine, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress proactively. Seeking supportive care, such as acupuncture, before symptoms become severe is another way to support long-term health.
How can people start building healthier long-term habits?
Healthy habits often begin with small, sustainable changes such as improving sleep routines, adding regular movement, and eating balanced meals. Consistency over time is typically more impactful than dramatic short-term changes.
What is the long-term goal of a holistic approach to health?
A holistic approach to health focuses on supporting the body as an interconnected system rather than addressing isolated symptoms. The goal is to strengthen the body’s natural ability to maintain balance and support long-term well-being.
Weight loss medications have changed the landscape of health and weight management. GLP-1 medications are helping people lose weight, reduce inflammation, and, in many cases, decrease reliance on other medications. For many, they feel like a long-awaited solution.
But for many, this solution isn’t the full story. New research shows that 50-80% of people report gaining back between 25 and 60% of the lost weight within two years of stopping medication. What does that tell us? For many, supportive lifestyle pieces were likely missing.
Lasting success requires a plan. Many people are never taught the lifestyle strategies needed to preserve muscle, support metabolism, and nourish their body while appetite is suppressed. Muscle loss during weight loss is one of the biggest predictors of regain—and it can be prevented.
The GLP-1 Companion is about setting you up for long-term success. Together, we’ll focus on how to eat and move in a way that supports fat loss while protecting muscle, energy, and overall health. No gimmicks, no fads—just science-based guidance, common sense, and consistent support.
I’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll tailor our calls to your goals, your body, and your lifestyle, so you leave this program confident in how to care for yourself both on and beyond your GLP-1 medication.
Program Details
Length
5 weeks
Meetings & Ongoing Support
Coaching Calls:
Five 60-minute one-on-one calls
Total Calls: 5 (5 total hours)
Email Support:
Weekly email support for questions and guidance throughout the program
Additional Support:
Additional consultation hours available at $175/hour
Areas of Focus
We’ll focus on the foundational habits that support sustainable weight loss and long-term metabolic health, including:
How weight loss occurs in the body
Fat loss vs. muscle loss—and why it matters
The role of movement and exercise while on GLP-1 medications
Protein, carbohydrates, and fats: how to balance them with reduced appetite
Practical strategies for managing decreased hunger cues while meeting nutritional needs
Investment
$1,075
We plan ahead to optimize outcomes—weddings, vacations, and job interviews. Why wouldn’t we plan to optimize our health before pregnancy? Don’t wait until you’re nauseous and exhausted to realize you need a strategy to eat better, sleep more, and stress less. Pregnancy can be an immense drain on the body, especially one that begins the journey stressed, undernourished, underslept, and exposed to a high level of environmental toxins.
Fertility Foundations is about controlling what we can control. Together, we’ll reduce lifestyle factors that may hold you back from feeling your best and do the work in advance so your body is prepared, resilient, and supported when pregnancy occurs.
This program is ideal for anyone on a fertility journey and is most effective if we have at least 3–6 months before you’d like conception to occur—but it’s also a powerful starting point if you’re earlier in the planning phase. Every change we make together supports your health, the health of your partner, and the health of your future child (and any children already in your home).
I’ll be with you every step of the way. We’ll identify the supports you need, tailor our calls to your priorities and unique situation, and adjust as life or plans shift. Entering pregnancy with a nourished, rested, and less inflamed body can make a meaningful difference in how you feel during pregnancy itself.
This program is not testing-dependent, though functional medicine testing can be added at standard rates if we decide it would be helpful. Testing is not included in the baseline program cost.
Program Details
Length
3.5 months
Meetings & Ongoing Support
Initial Setup Call:
One 60-minute onboarding sessionOngoing Calls:
Two calls per month for the first three months (45–60 minutes each)
One final call in month four (45–60 minutes)
Total Calls: 8
Email Support:
Weekly email support, as needed, for questions and ongoing guidance
Areas of Focus
We’ll focus on preparing your body—and your home—for pregnancy by improving nutrition and lifestyle factors that support fertility and a healthy conception or implantation. Topics may include:
Nutrition, optimized for fertility
Exercise
Stress management
Sleep
Environmental toxins
Supplements
Cycle regulation, if needed
Investment
$1,7000
Some of us may have a new friend in our lives. She’s… unpredictable. A bit chaotic. It doesn’t seem like she’s leaving anytime soon, and we need to figure out how to deal with her.
Meet Peri.
All jokes aside, perimenopause is often described as a time of hormonal chaos—and for many women, that’s exactly what it feels like. In today’s world of full-time jobs, aging parents, kids, school schedules, activities, and running a household, feeling “off” can sneak up on you. Perimenopause can begin 10 or more years before menopause, which is wildly inconvenient, considering these are often the years when women have the least amount of time to stop and figure out what the h*ll is going on.
Let me help.
Spend a little time with me each month, and together we’ll make sense of what’s happening in your body, reduce the overwhelm, and create a plan that actually fits your life.
If you’re in your 30s and suspect you’re just entering perimenopause, we’ll troubleshoot current symptoms, make sure the foundational lifestyle pieces are in place, and prepare you for what’s coming. If you’re in your 40s or 50s and right in the thick of it, we’ll evaluate what’s going on now, troubleshoot symptoms, refer out when appropriate, and focus on the strategies you need right now to feel better.
Areas of Focus
Our work together may include:
Understanding your current symptoms
Understanding the hormonal shifts occurring
Knowing what’s happening now and how things may change over time
Optimizing nutrition
Appropriate and effective exercise for this stage of life
Sleep hygiene
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) education and discussion
Stress management strategies
How to minimize toxins
How to optimize supplements
This program is not testing-dependent. Functional Medicine testing can be added at standard rates if we decide it would be helpful. Testing is not included in the baseline program cost.
Program Details
Duration
3 months
Meetings & Support
Introductory Call:
One 60-minute onboarding sessionOngoing Calls:
Two calls per month for three months (45–60 minutes each)
Total Calls: 7
Email Support:
Weekly email support, as needed, for questions and ongoing guidance
Investment
$1,525
Would you rather do this with a friend? Check out the Add a Friend program instead!
This is the same Very Peri program—just designed for two people instead of one.
Do you have a friend who’s at the same stage of life? Move through the Very Peri coaching experience together and share the journey. You’ll receive the same education, guidance, and support as the one-person program, with the added benefit of a built-in accountability partner who truly gets it.
The topics, framework, and core content are exactly the same as the individual Very Peri program. The difference is that this option is structured to support two participants at once, with individual onboarding and expanded communication support for both people.
You’ll move through the same discussions, education, and practical guidance—together—while still receiving individualized support within the shared sessions.
How the Two-Person Program Works
Both participants attend all coaching calls together
You must be available at the same time (you may join from separate locations)
Coaching is tailored to each individual within the shared sessions
You’ll gain insight into your own perimenopause experience and learn through your friend’s perspective
What We’ll Cover
(Same as the One-Person Very Peri Program)
Understanding current symptoms
Understanding the hormonal process occurring
What’s happening now—and how things may change going forward
Optimizing nutrition
Appropriate and effective exercise for this stage of life
Sleep hygiene
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) education and discussion
Stress management strategies
How to minimize toxins
How to optimize supplements
This program is not testing-dependent. Functional Medicine testing can be added at standard rates if we decide it would be helpful. Testing is not included in the base program cost.
Program Details
Duration
3 months
Meetings & Support
Introductory Calls:
Two 60-minute onboarding sessions (one per participant)Ongoing Calls:
Two shared calls per month for three months (45–60 minutes each)
Total Calls: 8
Email Support:
Up to two emails per week, as needed, for questions and ongoing support
(Emails may be submitted jointly or individually)
Investment
$2,000 total
($1,000 per person)