Staying Consistent with Your Healthy Routine and 5 Things That Can Help
How many times have you said, “I’m going to start eating better on Monday”? “I’m going to workout three times this week.” “I’m going to watch less TV and read more.” Too often, we start strong out of the gate, only to come to a screeching halt after just the first or second week. Sound like you?
Here are 5 ways that may help you to stay consistent in keeping your healthy routine.
1. Keep it Simple. Keeping things simple will help to prevent your new habits from becoming overwhelming to the point where you just give up. There is so much conflicting information out there these days, that it just may require you to stick with what you know. If I want to change my eating habits, I pick out one or two things that I can change easily. For example, I may want to stop eating sugary snacks on my breaks or dessert after dinner. To keep things simple, I would not purchase sugary treats. I would prepare nuts or veggies for snacks. Focus on choosing only one or two changes to make at a time, and this will make things much easier on you. you can always add on more changes later.
2. Slow and Steady Wins the race. The fact is, forming anything into a new habit can take almost two months for it to be set. In my experience, starting off slow with changing my routine worked out best. If you plan to make several changes, choose to do them one at a time. Put them in an order and then stack them onto your routines over a period of days or weeks, depending on how big of changes will be required. Let the changes build up steam; a natural momentum if you will. Let it become a steady flow and it will begin to pick up speed, becoming easier and easier. Before you know it, your new routine will be automatic.
3. Make it Fun! Let’s face it. If we don’t like to do it, you’re not going to keep doing it. I’m not talking about paying bills here or having to get up to go to work because we all know that’s no fun. I’m talking about making your new healthy routine fun. Do you like to eat great meals? Focus on enjoying all that goes into making a great meal. Do you hate going to the gym but love playing tennis? Well, then, play tennis! My point is, find where you can add enjoyment to your health, and it will be much easier to maintain consistency.
4. Plan Ahead. Planning ahead will always allow you to be more successful when it comes to your healthy routine. It can help you to really make the most out of your meals by choosing what you’re going to eat for the week. Start by planning your grocery shopping, making a list, using coupons and figuring the budget. Also, meal prep is key, especially if you’re going to work. The same goes for figuring out where in the day you will fit in exercise. If you’re a list person, create a list for your schedule. Make an appointment with yourself for exercise if that’s what you need to do. Just plan for it.
5. Set a Goal and Keep Your Eye on the Prize. Set small goals for yourself, whether its food related, or fitness related. Make yourself a priority. It’s not wrong or self-centered. In fact, it’s needed. I tell my clients to keep your eye on the prize. Keep remembering why you’re doing all of this in the first place. Keep pictures or videos around to motivate you. Get a buddy who will hold you accountable. Continue to remind yourself that you’re a very important person too.
Don’t worry if you fall off the wagon a time or two. It happens to everyone. Pick yourself up and get right back into it. Change can be hard sometimes. See it for what it is, recognize it and keep pushing forward. It’s not failure by any means, even if it feels like it is. I always recommend keeping a health journal and track your routines and changes. It helps to see the bigger picture and more often than not, you’re making progress where you may not have thought you were.