How to Make Lifestyle Changes That Last
By Genevieve Cunningham
Changing your life isn't an easy task. If making different decisions and building healthy habits were easy, everyone would do it and we'd all be living healthy productive lives. But it's not easy -- not at all. Of course, difficulty aside, making lifestyle changes is important, especially when your health is at stake. If you're interested in changing your life and creating healthy habits that really last, take a look at these tips to help you find success.
Make It a Lifetime Goal
A lifestyle is something that you keep forever. It's not really something with an end goal. It's constantly evolving and growing with you. If you get the idea of an end goal out of your mind, sticking with lifestyle changes becomes easier. Think of it as a lifetime goal -- something that you're going to be working on for the rest of your life! You're going to struggle and change your mind and discover new habits, and that's completely OK! Make it a lifetime goal instead of something to accomplish right now, and it takes a bit of the pressure off.
Focus on One at a Time
You won't be successful if you try to change everything at once. Don't try to overhaul everything in your life in a week. Nope -- won't work. Instead, focus on changing one habit at a time. Change your breakfast to a healthier one, and don't do anything else. When you're ready, take on one more habit. If you only do one at a time, it won't be so overwhelming and you'll be more likely to find long-term success.
Be Realistic
It's so important to be realistic about what you can accomplish. You're not going to go from completely sedentary to running a mile every morning in one try. You're not going to go from a horrible diet to all vegetables in a day. It's going to take time and consistency and patience. Set goals that are realistic. Create habits that are possible. The more realistic you make these changes, the easier it will be to follow through; continue to transform those habits as you make progress.
If you really put your mind to it, you can definitely change your life. Your lifestyle choices are just that -- choices! -- and that means they can be changed. Use these tips to help make these changes last, and enjoy the happier, healthier life that comes with your new decisions and long-term habits.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Porter Ranch, Calif.