Being Successful With Your Health Goals
There comes a time in most of our lives when life shows us, we have to make some positive changes to better our current circumstances with life and health. This might show up as weight gain, failing health, physical ailment, mental health concerns, decrease in energy, or health diagnosis. Many of us don't like change, but when we are faced with health concerns, we are forced to make some tough decisions to improve our health. This can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to feel like a chore, but a gift for yourself.
I want to first touch on taking inventory of your current habits and be really honest with yourself. You know when you indulge or talk yourself out of doing things that are good for you. Look inward and take note of the triggers that push you to not treat your body with good health. Our thoughts can motivate us or cripple us. So, when you're faced with having to make positive changes to improve your health, you have to start with reprogramming the dialogue you've been telling yourself that has held you back from caring for your body. Setting realistic goals that work with your schedule, will help you with your success
Ten Tips to Help You Achieve Your Goals
- Vision boards or choosing screen photos on your phone to remind you of your goals and help you stick to them. Set reminders on your phone to work out or with words of affirmation to keep you motivated and change them often to keep you on your toes.
- Make a list of goals you want to achieve. The heading of your list should say something like, "These lifestyle changes are going to allow me to…" If you achieve your goals, what is your life going to look like? Look at that list and work on a plan for how you're going to get there. Pick one to three goals to start with. Take baby steps if you need to.
- Reach out to a practitioner or trainer to help you create your plan. Seeking professional health in the beginning will start you off on the right foot. It also makes you accountable.
- Create events in your calendar to remind you to keep pushing forward. Set up an affirmation that resonates with you that will keep you motivated. Set alarms to workout, walk, meditate, move etc.
- Journal. Keeping a journal of daily diet, what you're eating everyday will help you see where you might need to tweak things or you may notice where they may be food sensitivities or problems digesting which can affect your health results. Journaling also helps track activity, achievements and challenges will help keep your progress into perspective. Keep it honest.
- Celebrate your milestones. When you reach a goal, treat yourself with something rewarding that's not going to set you back. It can be helpful to plan these rewards when you create your list of goals. Not only are you working towards a goal but you're also working towards that reward when you reach it. E.g. Plan to walk 30 minutes a day for the first month and you can purchase new walking shoes for your next goal of walking 45 minutes daily.
- Days when you start telling yourself a story full of excuses, remember you're worth that30-minute walk, or the piece of fruit instead of a cookie. With all the stresses we deal with, you deserve this time for yourself. You earned it.
- Set reminders on your phone to work out or with words of affirmation to keep you motivated and change them often to keep you on your toes.
- Change your meals, diet and workout regimes regularly to avoid boredom. The key to success is find fun things to do and eat that you enjoy and modify to work with your needs. If you enjoy dancing then find dance videos to learn and make that your daily workout. This should not be looked at as a chore but a gift for your health.
- Take photos every week, to track your progress. After a few weeks compare those pictures. You'll see the changes. If you plateau or hit a block, then it's time to change things up. Speak with a trainer or practitioner for support.
Be patient with yourself. It takes at least 21 days to create a habit. You're worth every healthy habit made.
