Why do we struggle to maintain healthy habits?
In our journey towards better health and fitness, we often encounter the challenge of maintaining new habits, despite starting with strong intentions. Why do we falter? It might be due to the way we approach change itself.
Your Life Goals are Not Your Habits
Setting grand life goals is commendable, but often these goals overshadow the importance of daily habits. According to Seth Godin, this can be more about avoiding the scary process of real change—those daily adjustments that could fundamentally redefine our self-image.
Everyone has aspirations for better health, a toned body, and improved fitness. However, diving headfirst into intense routines like a grueling gym session or a strict diet, can lead to burnout or disappointment when we can’t sustain those peaks.
For example, inspired by viral transformations, you might decide to switch to a raw food diet overnight or push through a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session that leaves you too sore to continue the next day. Sounds familiar, right?
The challenge is in balancing these aspirations with the need to establish small, sustainable habits.
Dream Big, But Start Small
True change in diet and fitness doesn’t come from radical overhauls overnight. Instead, it’s the accumulation of small, manageable changes that can be maintained over time.
Imagine simplifying your goals into daily actions: choosing water over soda, adding a daily 10-minute walk, or incorporating vegetables into each meal. These aren’t daunting tasks but are exactly the kinds of habits that can lead to significant change.
Stanford Professor BJ Fogg emphasizes that success in creating habits lies not in finding the perfect diet or summoning an immense willpower, but in starting with small, manageable behaviors that you can stick to until they become second nature.
Focus on Lifestyle, Not Life-Changing
Instead of chasing life-altering achievements, integrate small changes that enhance your lifestyle. Think less about losing 50 pounds fast and more about the daily habits that contribute to long-term weight loss and health benefits.
For instance:
- Drinking eight glasses of water a day is a lifestyle.
- Eating a balanced breakfast daily sets a health-focused routine.
- A consistent bedtime promotes recovery and energy for regular exercise.
These daily habits build the foundation for achieving your larger goals.
Conclusion: Small Steps to Big Achievements
In conclusion, transforming your life through nutrition and exercise doesn’t require monumental acts but consistent, small steps that build sustainable habits. At CINCOfit, we understand this journey and are here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to transform your fitness journey?
Sign up for our free 90-day goal review, receive an InBody scan, and make a personalized plan with one of our expert trainers. Start small, dream big, and see where your fitness journey can take you!
Recent Comments