The Key to Creating Healthy Habits.

The key to awakening our dreams is to make the object of our vision a priority in our lives.

It’s been said that we humans are creatures of habit. Maybe Warren Buffett summed it up best when he said, “The chains of habit are to light to be felt until they are to heavy to be broken.” If we are honest with ourselves, these words are true today. We are creatures of habit and that is why change of any kind can be hard for us. It is often easier to hang on the what we are familiar with even when these habits are not good for us. Easier than facing the uncertainties that “new” can bring to our lives.

So how can we change our behavior to support a healthy lifestyle if creating and maintaining healthy habits is fraught with so much challenge? I have a few ideas that might be helpful for your current fitness program, healthy eating plan or wellness practice.

  • Keep it simple. Add one new behavior per week and make sure it is one you can and will do. An example would be to drink 8 glasses of water a day. As simple as this sounds if you are not used to doing this you will need a strategy to keep yourself on track-a full water bottle that follows you around as a reminder to drink, specific times of day you know you will remember, replacing other options with water etc.
  • Small steps. Using a wellness activity as an example here: Say you are beginning a meditation practice. Rather then starting out with a 30 minute meditation every morning start with 5 minutes and build up to what feels right to you adding 5 more minutes per week. Another way to look at this is to move away from what I call “All or Nothing” thinking. If I can’t do 30 minutes out the gate it is not worth it to even begin. Everything counts so small steps are an excellent way to build daily habits without feeling so much resistance.
  • Focus on the positive. Rather then beat yourself up for making small, slow changes one week at a time pat yourself on the back for creating a sustainable pathway to change that sticks.So often people decide that if the change can not happen all at once that is just not going to happen. If you stay the course, much like the tortoise you will be assured an easier transition from current lifestyle and habits to healthier and more satisfying healthy eating plan, fitness program and wellness practice.
To sum up my experience around creating and maintaining lifestyle change there are a few things I like to remind people of. Keep it simple and as fun as possible. This will make it much easier to feel like it is a habit you could maintain for the next 30 years.  Go slow, a little at a time, small steps, one new change at a time. Stay positive and surround yourself with others who share that mind set. Being around like minded people can make the switch from unhealthy behaviors to healthy ones that much easier.
It is my intention to provide tips and ideas that take you closer to where you want to be moving forward. In support!
Laurie
Laurie Bagley MS in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, is a mother,  ACE certified health coach and group fitness coach, entrepreneurial business owner, VeraHeart coach and teacher. Her Health Fitness Coaching Business, focus on assisting people reach their healthy lifestyle goals. She is also the 6th woman to summit Mt. Everest from the North Col route and has written a book called SUMMIT.
 
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