"Life is not a race, but indeed a journey." - Bonnie Mohr
The same is true about our health. Many people are guilty of the "quick fix" mentality when it comes to their health and wellness. While many people use this mentality to fuel their short-term successes, the "quick fix" perspective rarely leads to long-term transformation.
Lifelong habits of health require consistent actions and commitment. Staying committed to your healthy lifestyle can be difficult at times; however, there are several steps you can take to set yourself up for success.
Reprogram your mind.
Prioritize your health, and take it slow. Abandon your expectation of instantaneous results, and ease into making healthier decisions day by day. Adopt a long-term mindset, and celebrate little successes along the way. Remind yourself that your health is the foundation of your life, and that it should be your #1 priority on a daily basis.
Define your purpose.
Find your "why." Consider what is driving you to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Maybe, you simply want to improve your overall appearance. Perhaps, you want to be able to play with your grandchildren more. Or, maybe, you want to cross more vacations off your bucket list. Whatever "it" is, define your purpose and remind yourself of it daily. Those who have a strong purpose often find it easier to stay passionate about their goals and committed to their daily actions.
Set specific goals.
Now that you have your "why," define your "what." What do you want to accomplish in terms of your health? Be specific with your goals. For example, instead of saying "I want to look and feel better," transform this goal into something more specific. Instead, try saying "I want to lose 20 pounds so that I look better and have more energy."
Then, take it a step further. Create goals that are challenging, yet attainable, and assign deadlines to your goals. For example, losing 20 pounds by the end of the month would be extremely challenging, yet likely unattainable. Losing 20 pounds within the next 3-6 months will still be challenging, yet much more attainable within the given timeframe.
Make your goals tangible.
Do you want to lose 20 pounds? If so, write it down. In a psychological study, Dr. Gail Matthews discovered that "you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams, simply by writing them down on a regular basis" (as cited in Morrissey, 2017). Once your goals are visible, place them somewhere that you will see them every day. This could be on your bathroom mirror, bedside table, or the screensaver on your phone. Review these goals at least once every day.
Hold yourself accountable.
This could be done through daily journaling, checking into the gym on Facebook, or having a friend call and make sure you got up for your 6am spin class. Regardless of which method works best for you, accountability is essential to creating long-term healthy habits.
Recruit a solid support system.
It has been said that you become like the five people you spend the most time around, so choose your group wisely. Surround yourself with those who are going to push you to be the best version of yourself each and every day. Find a friend, family member, fellow gym member, or coach to encourage you and pick you up on the days you fall short of your goals. Remember, you are not alone on this journey!
Create a rewards system.
By nature, people are highly motivated by rewards (big or small). When you set your goals, establish what your reward(s) will be for reaching that goal. It could be something as small as an ice cream cone or as extravagant as a beach vacation. Celebrate how far you've come and how far you will continue to go!
Abandon self-destructive thoughts.
Often times when people decide to start dieting and exercising, it is because they do not like something about the current state of their body. Self-esteem is generally low, and people are motivated to change that. It is important to remember to celebrate each stage of your journey. Maybe you aren't exactly where you want to be today, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be proud of yourself for the successes you've had so far. Abandon self-destructive thoughts, and be patient with yourself. Compliment yourself, be optimistic, and learn to love your healthier lifestyle.
What helps you stay committed to your healthy lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!
Reference
Morrissey, M. (2017, Dec. 6). The power of writing down your goals and dreams. Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marymorrissey/the-power-of-writing-down_b_12002348.html
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