How Can You Achieve Your Health Goals?
It’s that time of the year again!
Fresh New start, New opportunities, New beginnings and a couple of other New(s). It’s exciting! Right?
Many people are guilty of setting New Year’s goals only to give up a few weeks later and most of the time, this is mostly due to the lack of a proven nutrition and workout regimen though.
Achieving your health goals can actually be simple, fun, and easy when approached correctly. In this article, you’ll discover 10 tips that will help you achieve the goals that you have set for a healthier you.
#1: Set Realistic Goals
I’m going to lose more than 3 pounds a week; Do everything right; Work out every single day, probably every morning and night; follow a strict diet. Like really?! At this time, you have no fitness routine and are barely active. Make sure to separate your wishes from actual goals. Set a goal that you can achieve healthily and learn to adjust your expectations accordingly.
#2: Find Your Motivation
Have you ever imagined what achieving any particular goal will feel like, in the past? Yes! That’s part of what finding your motivation is about.
Exercising can be boring. Admit it. It can get really tedious and discouraging, especially when you don’t see results. Find your motivation by being very clear about what you want to achieve, and why. What would it allow you to do? Why do you want it? This doesn’t only apply to exercise but to everything you do! Finding the motivation to do something is the key to consistency, and will make achieving your health goals a lot easier.
#3: Focus – One at a Time
Focus – A common pitfall most people encounter on their health journey. If you are trying on a new diet, starting a high-intensity exercise, and attempting to quit smoking at the same time, you are destined to fail. Pick a target behavior to change and go easy on the others. Then, when you have one goal achieved, focus on the next one.
#4: Spice Up Your Routine!
I mean, we all need a little spicing up at one point or the other. Sometimes, this is as simple as trying something new. All you need is a tiny bit of creativity. When you finally choose to step outside of your comfort zone and pour energy into a new activity or hobby, you find new skills and strengths within yourself. Not only will this boost commitment, but it will also help motivate you!
#5: Find A Supportive Group
When you have a group of people who share the same goals, desires, and problems as you, it gives you that extra discipline you need to stay committed when times get tough. And with the rise in social media use, it’s not so difficult to find a niche-specific community no matter how esoteric your goals may be.
Having a support group will hold you accountable, keep you motivated, and help you blast through your health goals than if you were to go at it alone. It can be as simple as joining Facebook or Whatsapp Group of people with the same goals and interests as you. Check out the 22/7 habit challenge.
#6: Stick to a Nutrition or Workout Plan
Eating Healthy helps you lose weight and have more energy. Regular Exercise is good for your muscles and bones as well as a host of other things. Yet, knowing the benefits of lifelong exercise or even creating a personal healthy meal plan will be of little use if you don’t stick to your program. As you plan your exercise routine, you need to prepare for the challenges that await you, so you won’t be thrown off track.
#7: Be Persistent
Starting a health program is one thing, but keeping at it? Challenging! Your health journey may not always go according to plan. Just because there are a few hitches here and there, eating that bag of plantain chips or saying yes to that slice of pizza, doesn’t mean that you need to give up altogether. Go easy on yourself and if you stray off course, make adjustments instead of giving up.
#8: Reward Yourself
Reward? Did you just cringe at this word? Changing your lifestyle to give way to more healthy habits is not an easy task. It can be really draining, sometimes requiring resolve, commitment, and a lot of hard work.
Why is it important to reward yourself? When we give ourselves treats, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which boosts our self-command — and self-command helps us maintain our healthy habits. Once you have accomplished a milestone, reward yourself by doing something you enjoy. But be careful not to let these rewards get in the way. Use them as your motivation to knock down your next goals.
#9: Get a Health Coach
You probably feel skeptical about this, but really, the fastest and most guaranteed way to reach your health and fitness goals is by hiring a coach. With a focus on enhancing, preserving and maintaining health, and preventing illness, health coaches understand the emotional, physical, behavioral, nutritional and lifestyle factors that are needed to enhance overall health and well-being. You’re more likely to accomplish goals when you have guidance and accountability.
#10: Prioritize Your Goals
It’s extremely important to make yourself a priority. Once you’ve set the goal (and have written it down), you shouldn’t let anything that isn’t an emergency get in the way.
Chase Your Goals this 2020
Achieving your health goals doesn’t have to be a stressful, seemingly impossible decision. Taking one day at a time, staying consistent, and following a proper diet and workout plan will almost guarantee that you reach your goals in no time!