When More Effort Isn’t the Answer

There’s a point in every wellness journey where more effort stops helping—and starts hurting.

For those who are just starting out, improving nutrition can make a big impact. Swapping out processed foods, reducing sugar intake, adding in some veggies, or getting enough protein can be game-changing.

But what about the people who are already trying?

They’re bringing lunch from home most of the time. Eating some veggies. Watching sugar. Skipping late-night snacks, trying to make the best choices given the circumstances. And still… they’re not seeing the results they want. So what do they do? They double down. Cut carbs. Add protein. Count macros. Stress more.

And the needle barely moves.

Here’s the part we forget: The more we zero in on numbers—macros, steps, weight, BP readings—the more we risk missing the person behind the data.

That person might be:

• The night shift nurse trying to find a moment to choke down chicken and broccoli out of a Tupperware at 2 a.m.

• The heavy equipment operator drinking a protein shakes in order because of mandatory overtime.

• The manager glued to a desk, getting 4 hours of sleep and still trying to squeeze in a workout

They’re doing a lot. And instead of asking them to do more, maybe what they need is someone to say: “You’re trying. That effort matters. Let’s give it space to work.”

Corporate wellness often focuses on what to add: Drink more water. Eat more greens. Move more. Sleep more. But sometimes the answer is to pause.

Let’s stop making health feel like another performance metric. Let’s focus on creating space—so employees can actually feel the benefits of what they’re already doing.

When more effort isn’t the answer, grace is.