Are you a creature of habit?
I am. My training partner and I joke all the time about how we can only work out in our self-designated areas. You know, the certain spot in the gym where you have been working out every day for the last 3 or 4 years, lol.
I’m the same way in the local coffee shop where I work. I was running a little late this morning and when I got here, there was someone sitting in the spot where I usually sit and work. I made me laugh a little as I walked by and thought, “What am I going to do? Where am I going to sit?” (Good news is the coffee here taste just as good no matter where you sit!)
Those are just a few silly habits of mine, but healthy habits are something we all want to work on. Those are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle and what help sustain us when life decides to throw us a curve ball. Like seriously, how about the last 5 months???? Can I get an “Amen”?
To start building a new habit, there are a few tips that can help put you on the road to success. The first one is:
-Pick ONE thing.
Don’t try to overhaul your whole life at once. The habits you currently have didn’t happen overnight and the more you can focus on just one specific habit, the more successful you’re going to be.
Next: –Do it EVERY DAY.
Just as I said, habits take awhile to establish. Doing them every day will help you get there faster. For example, if you want start a habit of working out 3-4 times a week, set your workout days. On your off days, set your active recovery or rest (which is an important part of the process of exercising). Every day you will either be working out, participating in active recovery, or actively resting (what that looks like could be an assortment of things: stretching, a hot soak in the tub, taking extra time for reading a good book, etc…) Point is, every day you’re working on that new habit.
Then: –Make it EASY to accomplish.
Set yourself up for success by making it as easy as possible to do the thing you’re working on. Again, if it’s working out: Schedule your gym time. Pack your gym bag and lay out your gym clothes the night before.
If your goal is to make a habit of eating healthier, make sure you have good healthy food in the kitchen to choose from and start meal prepping. Plan your meals at least a day ahead. Wash and cut those veggies and have them ready.
New habits take time, so be patient and if you miss a day, don’t dwell on it, just get right back with it. Find a friend you can enlist to help hold you accountable. Perfection isn’t possible, it’s consistency that will be the KEY.
Remember: You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.
-John Maxwell
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