An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure
For most, this quote might not mean much. But for me, this quote couldn't be more correct.
For the longest time, I believed health and fitness had to be all-out, all the time. If I wasn’t pushing to the max, it didn’t feel like it counted.
No pain, no gain - right?
But that mindset caught up with me. Hard.
Life slowly ground to a halt as I burned myself out. I felt exhausted no matter how much I rested. Workouts left me dizzy and drained. There were no endorphins - just frustration and fatigue. I thought I was being lazy, so I pushed harder.
And eventually… my body said no more.
It wasn’t until I stepped away from everything - school, workouts, even socializing - that I realized I hadn’t just been disciplined. I had been ignoring every red flag my body raised. What I thought was strength had quietly become self-neglect.
That’s when the quote “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” really hit home.
Prevention Looks Small - Until It Saves You
We tend to think of “prevention” as boring. Like flossing. Or stretching. Or resting when we’re just a little tired. But these small, consistent choices are what protect us from breakdown - physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Prevention isn’t just about injury. It’s about your form, your mindset, your lifestyle, and your mental health.
Here’s how it shows up in different areas of wellness:
Form: Learning proper technique might feel tedious, but it prevents injuries that can sideline you for months.
Mindset: Catching perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking early can stop a spiral of shame and burnout.
Lifestyle: Prioritizing daily movement, hydration, and sleep may seem small, but it sets the foundation for long-term health.
Nutrition: Fueling your body consistently (even if it's not perfect) keeps your energy, hormones, and mood more stable.
Stress management: Breathing, walking, journaling - these tiny resets help prevent chronic overwhelm.
Prevention is often quiet. It doesn’t get praise or applause. But it’s the thing that keeps everything else running.
Don’t Wait for the Crash
If you’re reading this and feel like you’ve been stuck in extremes - waiting for the “perfect” time to start or beating yourself up for not doing enough - let this be your sign.
You don’t need to earn your rest.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to begin - gently, consistently, and with compassion.
Take the walk. Stretch for 10 minutes. Rest if you need to. Eat enough. Listen closely.
Because those small, steady choices you make today?
They’re worth far more than the cost of pushing too far, too fast tomorrow.
With love,
Faith Hagan at Soma Studios, LLC
