Why Lasting Health Starts with Lifestyle, Not Shortcuts

By Dr. Ga Geong Lee, Sunny Health DPC Las Vegas Lifestyle Medicine

As a doctor who focuses on lifestyle and preventive medicine, I often talk to my patients not just about lab results or medications, but about how they live.

When I ask about their routines, I hear common themes: poor diet, lack of exercise, trouble sleeping. Many patients try extreme “quick fix” diets—keto, intermittent fasting, detox cleanses—hoping for immediate results. Some see a little weight loss, but most don’t stick with it. The outcome? A cycle of weight ups and downs, and more confusion about what truly works.

Let’s be honest. Making real, lasting lifestyle changes is hard. Especially when you’re already overwhelmed, tired, or struggling financially.

One challenge I hear often is:

“Doctor, I want to eat healthy, but I can’t afford it.”

Or:

“I don’t know how to cook.”

And sometimes even:

“I don’t know what healthy looks like anymore.”

This is a real problem, not just about food, but about confidence, skills, and access. The truth is: eating well doesn’t require fancy ingredients or a high grocery bill. But most people were never taught the basics. If no one ever showed you how to make a simple stir-fry, how would you know that olive oil, garlic, frozen vegetables, and brown rice can be a full, nourishing meal?

We also have to shift the mindset: food is not just fuel or calories.

Food is medicine.

Every meal is an opportunity to heal, energize, and support your long-term health.

But if we want to talk about diet, we have to talk about the food itself. That means learning how to cook, even just a few simple dishes. That means building a few go-to meals that are healthy and realistic. It means creating a plan you can stick to, not just for 10 days, but for the next 10 years.

At Sunny Health DPC, I work with patients one-on-one to understand what’s holding them back and what small changes will fit their lives. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need a private chef or organic-only groceries. But you do need a plan—and a little support.

If you’re tired of the cycle of yo-yo diets and frustration, I invite you to look at your lifestyle like you would a house. A strong house needs a strong foundation. That means:

    •    Consistent, balanced meals

    •    Gentle daily movement

    •    Better sleep

    •    Less stress

    •    Realistic goals

This isn’t about restriction, it’s about building something solid.

Let’s start simple.

Let’s start where you are.

And let’s build health that lasts.