We’ve all heard the saying “new year, new me.” However, too many of us continue to struggle with diet, health, and exercise plans each year. Losing weight and getting into shape is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions people make, yet they rarely get accomplished. To make this year’s resolution into an actual solution, go beyond the classic promise of “losing weight in the new year.” Spending the extra time preparing for your day, creating goals, committing to a plan, and rewarding yourself for your hard work and commitment are all factors that can lead to healthier habits.
We know there’s no magic bullet for a healthier body. The first step is knowing you want a change; and when it comes to controlling your life, it’s all about making small changes. As you make small adjustments to your lifestyle, you’ll notice how easy it is to stick to a routine and blend it into your day-to-day activities. Replacing unhealthy behaviors with good habits, and doing so consistently, can make all the difference. In fact, if you adopt healthy, positive practices every day, eating healthy and working out become second nature.
Maintaining Healthy Habits
The thought of maintaining healthy habits can be daunting, but adopting healthier changes can protect you from serious medical issues down the road. Even if you exercise regularly or eat a ton of vegetables and proteins, the tiniest tweaks in daily habits can help you live longer, give you more focus, and boost your overall happiness. What may seem small in a single instance becomes large when added together, so stick with it!
Here are a few simple tips on how to create habits for a healthier lifestyle:
- Understand your habits. The first step in changing your behavior is truly understanding what you do every day. Try to understand your habits—the good and the bad. For example, brushing your teeth every day can be a great way to keep your teeth clean and reduce your chances of cavities and oral disease. Drinking several glasses of wine every night is also a habit, but not necessarily a good one. What’s good and bad will ultimately depend on each individual’s goals.
- Set goals. Think about what you want and need to become successful. How can you change the things around you to support your goals? Create a plan and set up realistic expectations so you don’t get discouraged along the way. Writing down your goals can help you overcome mental barriers and get you started on your ambitions sooner.
- Track progress. Tracking your progress can help you identify strengths and weaknesses to improve on. It’s completely normal to experience setbacks; the key is knowing when to get back on track. Recording your progress can help you stay focused on meeting those goals, and in the timeframe you want.
- Have patience with yourself. Stay patient, as adopting new changes in your life isn’t easy. Change is simply a process, and if you’re moving forward in your goals, that’s all that matters!
One Step at a Time
Sticking to a habit can come easily when you assess your life and overcome setbacks. It’s important to note that you should only make small changes when it’s most convenient for you. There’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach; what works for one person may not work for another. Remember: Any progress is better than no progress. While there’s no easy answer to the perfect lifestyle, there are many steps you can take to develop a healthier relationship with the way you think about food, exercise, and yourself.
Are you ready to change the way you think about food & exercise? Contact us online or call (504) 475-9817 today!