Healthy Habits! Getting Past the Change Barrier

With the first steps of committing to health comes a feeling of hope and the possibility of making changes in our lives and for some the desire to create new/different habits that we have been putting off or on hold for a short or longer period of time. After eight years of coaching people with health/ fitness goals I have found that there are a few things that tend to be universal. The first is that change is not easy for most people even if it is positive.

Research shows that it takes 16-24 weeks to integrate a new behavior and create lasting change. I have found that with fitness/health related goals it takes a solid three months for things to be in place and likely to be a life style change. If your one of those people that has decided to take on a fitness or health/wellness goal keep in mind that it is not uncommon to feel fired up for 2-3 weeks and then to start to struggle with the changes you are incorporating. What I encourage people I work with to do is when they hit this place do it anyway, keep taking those small steps, even when you don’t feel like it.

Pushing to the other side is hard and part of the process. When I was training for Everest there where many days when I was just “not in the mood” to put my pack on and snow shoe up Rainbow Ridge and after I “did it anyway” I may not have felt elated but I did feel good about following through on the goal I had set for myself that day. That said I also encourage you to make your goals fun. If you have mapped out a plan for yourself and after a time you are struggling with it give yourself permission to switch to something that feels fun and/or motivating. Some days, for whatever reason, are harder then others.

Sometimes we need to “just do it” and sometimes it is important take a look at what might be more inspiring.If  getting out with someone and sharing in your fitness creates that feeling of fun, motivation or inspiration use this strategy to keep moving forward!!! There are lots of right ways to get where you want to go.

If you like this post please like us on google+
In support,
Laurie
Laurie Bagley MS in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, is a mother,  ACE certified health coach, entrepreneurial business owner, VeraHeart coach and teacher. Her Health and Wellness products business and her Health Fitness Coaching Business, focus on assisting people reach their health/wellness/fitness and financial goals. She is also the 6th woman to summit Mt. Everest from the North Col route and has written a book called SUMMIT

life coach