Ways to jumpstart a healthy change in your life

[MariamV]

Hello again guys! 

I was thinking about the day-to-day choices you make and how they influence on whether you maintain vitality as you age. You may understand exactly what you need to do to enjoy a healthier, happier life: carve out time to exercise, perhaps, or find a way to draw away stress. There's just one hitch. You haven't done it yet. Shaping your personal plan starts with setting your first goal. Break down choices that feel overwhelming into tiny steps that can help you succeed.

  Often, the biggest hurdle is inertia. It's true that it isn't easy to change ingrained habits like driving to nearby locations instead of walking, let's say, or reaching for a donut instead of an apple. However, gradually working toward change improves your odds of success. Here are some strategies that can help you enact healthy change in your life, no matter what change (or changes) you'd like to make.

  Now, I leave you with 7 steps to start changing your lifestyle into a healthier one:

• Select a goal. Choose a goal that is the best fit for you. It may not be the first goal you feel you should choose. But you're much more likely to succeed if you set priorities that are compelling to you and feel attainable at present.

• Ask a big question. Do I have a big dream that pairs with my goal? A big dream might be running a marathon or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, wiggling back into a closet full of clothes you love, cutting back on blood pressure medication, or playing games and sports energetically with your children. One word to the wise: if you can't articulate a big dream, don't get hung up on this step. You can still succeed in moving toward your goal through these other approaches.

• Pick your choice for change. Select a choice that feels like a sure bet. Do you want to eat healthier, stick to exercise, diet more effectively, ease stress? It's best to concentrate on just one choice at a time. When a certain change fits into your life comfortably, you can then focus on the next change.

• Commit yourself (in my personal opinion this is the biggest challenge). Make a written or verbal promise to yourself and one or two supporters you don't want to let down: your partner or child, a teacher, doctor, boss, or friends. That will encourage you to slog through tough spots. Be explicit about the change you've chosen and why it matters to you. If it's a step toward a bigger goal, include that, too. I'm making a commitment to my health by planning to take a mindful walk, two days a week. This is my first step to a bigger goal: doing a stress-reducing activity every day (and it helps me meet another goal: getting a half-hour of exercise every day). I want to do this because I sleep better, my mood improves, and I'm more patient with family and friends when I ease the stress in my life.

• Scout out easy obstacles. Maybe you'd love to try meditating, but can't imagine having the time to do it. Or perhaps your hopes for eating healthier run aground if you're hungry when you walk through the door at night, or your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator aren't well-stocked with healthy foods.

• Brainstorm ways to leap over obstacles. Now think about ways to overcome those roadblocks. Not enough time? I'll get up 20 minutes early for exercises and fit in a 10-minute walk before lunch. Cupboard bare of healthy choices? I'll think about five to 10 healthy foods I enjoy and will put them on my grocery list.

• Plan a simple reward. Is there a reward you might enjoy for a job well done? For example, if you hit most or all of your marks on planned activities for one week, you'll treat yourself to a splurge with money you saved by quitting smoking, a luxurious bath, or try to steer clear of food rewards, since this approach can be counterproductive.

Hope that you find this inspiring and please let me know how you keep motivated day to day! 

Cheers. 

[WendyB]

This is awesome! Thanks for posting it!

[MariamV]

@WendyB thanks! You're sweet.  I hope to be an inspiration to help make small changes!

See you around in the Community!

[nissas]

I boguth my fitbit about 6 months ago, am not good about wearing it. Just changed jobs to one where I sit for 8 hours a day from one where I stood for 10-12. I am trying to get more active but am just finding myself to be so mentally drained by the time I get home from work I don't want to do anything. I am also terrible at my meals. I think joing a community will make me more accountable for my actions, I am hoping. I tried working out in the morning, but then I don't think I have enough time to get ready for work.I just need to start putting me first again.

[MariamV]

A warm welcome to our new buddy @nissas! I totally understand about what you're talking about. Being mentally drained at the end of the day is one of the causes why we don't go the extra mile with our health. But just like you said, we need to put ourselves first. 

Now about the meals, I don't have the time to cook something at home for the next few days due to my schedule. However, if I need to eat outside I always pick the healthier option (the salad place! ) and as this isn't ideal, it somehow helps me manage my weight. 

Being part of a community such as the Fitbit Community is definitely great to find helpful tips that you can apply to your life and also to find for motivation and inspiration. You are great and I know you'll be able to make small changes that will have a huge impact in your overall health. Good luck!