From “I Have To” to “I Get To”: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
When it comes to eating well and moving our bodies, so much of the language we use is rooted in obligation.
“I have to go to the gym.”
“I have to eat healthy.”
“I have to cut out sugar.”
That kind of thinking frames our health habits as chores—something to tick off a list, endure, and maybe even resent. But what if one simple shift in language could change the way you feel about these choices entirely?
Enter: “I get to.”
Why “I Get To” Changes the Game
When you say I get to, you acknowledge your actions as privileges, not punishments.
“I get to fuel my body with food that helps me feel strong, clear-headed, and energised.”
“I get to move my body in ways that keep me mobile, capable, and independent as I age.”
It’s not just a positive spin—it’s a deeper recognition of the freedom and opportunity you have. Because not everyone can move their body easily, choose nutritious food, or enjoy the health you have now.
Fuelling Your Body Well Is an Investment
We often think of healthy eating as a set of rules, but it’s really a gift you give yourself—now and in the future.
The nutrients you put in your body today help preserve muscle, bone density, heart health, and brain function as you age. They keep you doing the activities you love, whether that’s hiking, gardening, playing with grandkids, or travelling.
Saying I get to eat nourishing foods means recognising that you have the ability, access, and resources to make those choices—and that those choices are building your future self.
Movement as a Privilege, Not a Punishment
Exercise is too often treated as a way to “burn off” something we ate or “fix” our body.
But movement is what allows you to carry your groceries, climb stairs, get off the floor without help, or enjoy a spontaneous adventure.
When you think I have to work out, it feels like a burden. When you think I get to move today, it becomes an act of gratitude for what your body can do right now—and a promise to keep that ability for decades to come.
Ageing Strong: Why This Mindset Matters More as We Get Older
As we age, muscle mass, balance, and flexibility naturally decline—but how quickly they decline is largely up to us. By fuelling your body well and moving regularly, you slow this process, maintain independence, and keep doing the things you love.
The “I get to” mindset turns this from a fear-based chore into an empowering choice. Instead of exercising because you’re scared of losing mobility, you move because you’re excited to keep it.
Your Future Self Will Thank You
Shifting from I have to to I get to creates a ripple effect:
You’re more consistent because you no longer dread the habits you’re building.
You naturally make healthier choices because you see them as a gift, not a restriction.
You strengthen your mental resilience alongside your physical health.
Every time you eat well or move your body, you’re not just “doing the right thing”—you’re giving your future self more years of energy, mobility, and joy.
Next time you catch yourself thinking “I have to…,” pause and reframe it.
Because you don’t have to. You get to.
If you’d like, I can also create a shorter Instagram-friendly version of this that’s punchy and scroll-stopping. That way you can use it as both an article and social post. Would you like me to do that next?