How do you create a healthy lifestyle that lasts?
Good question, right? I think we can all agree that having a healthy lifestyle is our goal, but we often don’t know how to get there. We turn to the next fad diet, hottest workout, calorie-counting, or whatever thing you go back to over and over hoping it will actually stick this time.
Let me be honest: Fad diets don’t work.
Sure maybe for a time, you see results, but it’s a quick fix. What happens when you go off the diet? You gain the weight back. Counting calories may work for a time too but you’ll eventually hit a plateau. And although I love working out, spending tons of money on the hottest workout isn’t the answer either.
Okay, so what’s the secret to creating a healthy lifestyle?
Consistency.
Living a healthy lifestyle takes consistency and practice.
I know that’s not fun to hear because we live in a world that wants quick fixes. But it’s true. And I’ve witnessed it over and over again.
It means staying “on track” which involves being able to practice the same healthy habits every day.
Like…
Drinking water.
Working out.
Eating well.
Sleeping enough.
We already know that to be healthy you have to do all those things. What we struggle with is doing it over and over and over… every day of the year. For many years in a row.
But it really is that simple.
So how do you create that consistency? How do you practice the habits without feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by all the changes you need or want to make?
Start Small for a Healthy Lifestyle
Choose one habit you want to work on.
Do you need to drink more water? Are your snacks just random and not really fueling you? Do you need to work on getting more sleep? Do you need to meal plan so you have healthy meals for dinner?
I want to encourage you to choose a goal right now. Write it down in your calendar, your phone, somewhere you can see it.
What is that one habit you’ve been wanting to work on but just keep putting off?
Starting small is going to keep you from getting overwhelmed. That’s why diets don’t work. We try to change too much too fast and then we get “off plan” and think all is lost.
Small changes lead to big results
Creating a healthy lifestyle is all about consistently: doing the same healthy habits over and over. It’s not rocket science. But it is hard to do. So start small with one habit you’d like to work on first. Write down a plan of action to achieve that habit and when you are doing it consistently, add on another healthy habit to work on.
What is one small habit can you start to help you develop a healthy lifestyle that lasts?
