Often New Year's resolutions don’t stick around. Have you found this to be true?
When we set our goals for the New Year or any other time of the year, we need to put a special focus on building new habits rather than overhauling everything in a flash. It can come as a shock to change too much at once, which often leads to tossing in the towel before you reach those goals you genuinely want to achieve. Since old habits die hard, here's how to make new healthy habits that last.
Know your why and commit to your healthy goals
Even when you know you need to make some changes, it can be challenging to do so. Change is hard and often uncomfortable. Committing to these goals by focusing on the "why" portion can help you stay committed to the goals you've set for yourself. For example, if you are hoping to lower your cholesterol this year and you've chosen to make some dietary changes to do so, focus on the way you will feel once you achieve your goal.
Make a plan
Grab a calendar or planner in a style that makes it enticing for you to use. Add your health goals there so you'll follow them and start a routine you look forward to checking off each day. It helps to read them the night before, so you set the tone for what's to come and get it done.
Make small changes
Getting into good health is essential, but you can't just jump from one extreme to the next. Take a look at the healthy habits you need to incorporate. Perhaps it's eliminating sodas, eating more healthy, whole foods, and exercising. Then, start slowly removing the harmful elements while working in more healthy choices with each week. Increase the amount of time you spend exercising with every passing week, and you'll be locked into these new healthy habits.
Get an accountability buddy
If you have a friend or family member with the same goals, you can pair up to tackle them together. But don't let it stop you if no one else is on your same mission. Share those habits and goals anyway so that your friends and family can help cheer you on.
Celebrate your wins
Every big goal you set should have a path lined with smaller goals that get you there. This way, you feel motivated to keep persisting through the pressure. When you reach those smaller goals, celebrate!
Journal your progress
Documenting your healthy habits is a great way to stay motivated when you're having a bad day. When you flip back, and you see the changes you've made, you'll be inspired. If your goal is weight loss, look at the weight you started at. Losing just 5-10 pounds will make you see you CAN do it and keep you moving toward that final goal.
A great way to stay on track is with my Nourish Nutrition And Wellness Journal and Note books. They are specifically designed to hep you stay on track and motivated.
One Final Word of Advice: Be Kind to Yourself When You Slip Up
Sometimes we go off track, and that's perfectly fine. Dust yourself off and get back to it rather than punishing yourself. The sooner you get back on course, the less impact it will have on your overall goals.
Here are three healthy habits that will help you ease into your new goals. They are easy to follow no matter what’s happening in the world around you!
1. Get organized with meal-planning
Perhaps one of your resolutions each year is to eat healthier foods. You might have started with the best of intentions, but when life got hectic, and your schedule turned busy, you went back to your old ways. Instead of getting caught in the chaos, start meal planning.
During downtime, take a moment to look at healthy meals you can prepare ahead. Build a shopping list that makes it easy to craft numerous healthy meals from the same base of ingredients. And then let your slow cooker, Instant Pot, and other kitchen tools help you get the job done.
Freezing leftovers properly will ensure you always have healthy and delicious meals at the ready. So when you get home from work and realize you forgot to plan dinner, you will only have to snatch it from the freezer and heat it up. Bonus: you can put your feet up while you wait!
2. Get enough sleep
We all feel deep regrets for the naps we refused to take as children. Now, as adults, we wish we had more time for rest. But in all honesty, we still have time. We compromise ourselves trying to take on too much.
End that cycle by setting a firm bedtime for yourself. You can select a bedtime alarm on your phone that will tell you when to put out that midnight oil and get ready for bed. Read a few pages of a good book and then pull up the covers. You’ll start feeling happier and less anxious when you take this time for yourself.
3. Unplug from the digital world
So much of what we do involves being digitally-tethered. We’re always on our devices for work, and when we’re done for the day, we’re entranced with our smartphones and the endless barrage of social media platforms.
Remember the days when the internet was an escape from reality? Now we need to make reality an escape from the online world. Unplug from your devices each day at a particular time and make time for those in the real world under your roof. Make time for yourself too. You’ll be no good to anyone else if you’re not in tune with your own beat.
These three healthy habits might seem small, but they will make a big difference in how you charge forth into the New Year. And with the way this year has been, going into a new one with strength and a positive attitude is the best way to stay on top no matter what happens.
To help you get started with your first healthy habit - meal planning - head over to my Nutrition and Wellness Library. Inside you will find meal plans, healthy recipes and so much more. Click below, sign up - it’s free!
