You have likely heard the quote -
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”
Benjamin Franklin
It’s true in many areas of life, and so one way to make sure your health goals are achievable is to make sure you have a plan -- you have to know what your destination is to know what path will get you there.
For myself, and when helping my clients, I find it helpful to have some non-negotiables built into our wellness goals when mapping out plans. These non-negotiables are the most important goals to focus on first. You can think of them like anchors, they are strong foundations to build upon. Over time you might have smaller things to add to your goals and plans, but these anchors stay in place. Hence.. non-negotiable.
So what does this look like? Here are some tips to help you create a no-fail blueprint for living an active life with better choices to get you off to a solid start and keep you on track.
Find a system for prep.
If meal prep sounds overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. If you feel like you don’t have time for a full-on weekly meal prep where you spend hours on Sunday afternoon shopping, cooking, and divvying up portions, then don’t! But knowing what you enjoy eating that hits your food goals while also keeping and traveling well can go a long way in sticking with a healthy eating plan. Focus on getting a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables mixed with lean protein, healthy fat, and a few complex carbs. Create a running list of recipes you can rotate to have a good home base of ideas without getting stuck in a recipe rut.
Most importantly- find a system that works for you.
Move every day.
You’d be surprised what thirty minutes of movement each day can do for both your physical and mental health. I know that it can be a hard habit to get into (especially in the colder months), but once you do, it’s hard to go back. Keeping it fresh by changing things up helps, too -- try a new walking path or route for your run, sign up for a new class at the gym you attend, and stretching or meditating at home on a low-energy day can make a big difference in mood. For me, it’s walking my dog and ensuring she gets regular exercise every day that gets me motivated to get out and move my body.
Get in a sleep routine.
If there is one thing that can throw everything else out of whack, it is a non-existent sleep routine. Sleep is truly the foundation of everything else, so giving proper attention to creating positive habits is necessary. I have seen many clients who, when we work on their sleep routine, their weight finally starts to come off even when nothing else worked. You can start by mapping out your ideal nighttime routine and then slowly begin implementing those things. Some ideas to include are a hot bath, a cup of herbal tea, journaling or reading, etc. Plus, work your way up to ensure you are getting 8 hours of rest each night.
Be careful with too many restrictions.
My brand new clients often start their conversations with me by saying, they don’t want to give up their favorite foods. And I agree! Giving ourselves too many restrictions right off the bat can often lead to burnout, leading to an increased chance of quitting those habits that we were beginning to form. Instead, give yourself more grace and acceptance, knowing that the end goal is to do things that support both the body and mind--not one at the cost of the other. This means we do not beat ourselves up to stay on a healthy eating plan. Both are equally important.
And above all else, remember that life is fluid. Priorities may change, and it’s our goal to roll with the punches while still putting our health first.
If you are ready to shift into the Fall with some healthier habits, then I would love you to join me for my program. Click image below to join.
