How many times have you started a new diet or exercise regime only to experience setbacks almost instantly? Maybe you’ve told yourself that this year will be different. Here are a few tips to stay on track with that lifestyle change of healthy habits.
Be patient
The most important aspect of changing your lifestyle habits, and I can not stress this enough, is to be patient. Research has suggested it takes at least 60 days (66 to be exact) to form a new habit. Lifestyle changes are not a quick fix. To ensure sustainability, you must stick to your plan over a long period of time.
Have a plan
Before you start your push for change, make sure it is planned out. Set yourself short term goals that are both specific and achievable. It might also help to get a friend involved, as your healthy habits can often mirror off family and friends. Your plan should involve such things as removing temptations. Having healthy recipes ready to go or stocking up on healthy food and snack alternatives.
Track your progress
Believe it or not, we are all motivated by numbers and improvement. Whether you have a weight loss goal, a weight lifting goal, or simply a goal of feeling better, make sure you track it! Tracking your progress keeps you motivated to improve and gives you evidence that whatever plan you have put in place is working. Visual representations such as charts and graphs are a good way to keep track of how you are going.