8 Ways to stay committed to a Lifestyle change
- fithistorian
- Jan 12, 2021
- 6 min read
Commitment. Its the hardest part of beginning a lifestyle change, but we all know it is necessary for success. There are tons of us, myself included, that have tried many different approaches to lifestyle change but have only been met with disappointment. So the question today is, What is the best strategy to ensure that these changes will stick this time? Well, I will give you 8 ways to help you mitigate the typical troubles associated with starting a lifestyle change.
Let's get started!
1. Don't Beat Yourself Up!
One of the most common mistakes in staying committed to change is punishing yourself. Don't do it! If you slip up, acknowledge it and move on. It was one misstep, and it will not wholly topple all of the hard work you have put in thus far. The best thing to do when you make these kinds of mistakes is to sit yourself down and have an honest conversation about why you made that decision. Is it because you had a stressful day and wanted to unwind with a slice (or two) of cheesecake? That's okay. This now shows you what your triggers may be, and you can now make a plan to handle a similar situation in a new way. The next time you have a stressful day, you could come home, take a warm relaxing bath and turn on your favorite podcast or sit down and read your favorite blog (Historically Fit *wink* *wink*). The point of a lifestyle change is to replace old unhealthy habits with new healthier alternatives. It is a time to experiment with what works best for YOU.
2. Celebrate The Small Victories!
You can walk from your apartment to the park without taking a break? Awesome! You can squat an empty bar with no trouble? Heck Ya! You made yourself a healthy meal from a recipe you found on Pinterest, and it actually tasted good despite it having kale in it? You're Killing it! Keep it up! These things may seem trivial on the surface, but by encouraging yourself by celebrating the small stuff, the big changes are just that sweeter. By staying positive about the experience, you're more likely to stick to your plan. Who wants to do something that they dread? Not me! Try to find the little things in your day to day that you can celebrate, and I guarantee it will help you stay motivated.
3. Start Slow
The biggest suggestion I can give you right now is to TAKE IT SLOW! Making too many changes at once can be exhausting and can lead to burnout. We don't want that. Start out with one goal, we'll use "I want to eat healthier" as an example. Now take that big goal and break it down into pieces. For example, ask yourself what that would look like for you? Maybe you want to cut out the soda you drink, eat more whole fruits and veggies, and eat out less. Great! Now decide which one of these mini-goals you would like to start with. Is drinking soda a big part of your daily life? That's an excellent place to start. Next, you'll want to decide on how you want to go about reaching your goal. With something like drinking soda, I recommend reducing the amount little by little. This will help avoid significant cravings and allow your body to adjust gradually to the amount of sugar it is receiving. Once you have hit your first mini-goal, add a new one or if you reached a point where you think you can work on two goals at once do so. Feel it out, and see what works best for you!
4. Get Plenty of GOOD Sleep!
We all know sleep is essential, there is no arguing that. But one thing that causes a lot of people to drop out of a new workout routine is soreness or no results. One of the keys to a good workout routine is allowing your body to get enough rest. Rest is when the body recovers and can make the changes you are asking it to do when you do your exercises. Sleeping for 8 hours every night is not going to prevent muscle soreness from happening entirely, but it might help. It will allow your muscles to take the time they need to repair those microtears you created doing bicep curls earlier that day and build themselves up to be stronger the next time. According to verywellhealth, "The point of sleep is not just to help you feel more refreshed, but to allow the cells in your muscles, organs, and brain to repair and renew each night. Sleep also helps regulate your metabolism and how your body releases hormones." Sleep is key to good health, but too much can have an adverse effect. Make sure to find out how much sleep is optimal for your body. As a rule of thumb, anything more than 7 hours and less than 9 hours should be sufficient.
5. Accountability or Reward System
Do you like to post about your life on Social Media? Let your friends and family know you want to make a change and update them on your progress. Sometimes a public declaration like that can really fuel the fire for people because you have created a source of accountability for yourself. Too public? Try creating a reward system for yourself. After you finish one of those mini-goals, we discussed previously, treat yourself. For example, You cut soda out completely? You get extra watch time on YouTube. If you reach a bigger goal, up the ante and go big with the reward! Have fun with it!
6. Buddy Up!
Like #5, this is all about accountability. Making changes can be daunting, but adding in a friend trying to make the same changes can take some of the fear away. Nervous about going into a gym? Take your best friend with you, it will help ease your anxiety because you will already know someone there. Want to try out a workout video you found mindlessly scrolling through Youtube last night? Call your buddy and set up a workout date (maybe wait until morning, though, because they are probably sleeping at 3 a.m.).
7. HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE!
Hydration has been a growing topic in popular culture, especially in the Social Media realm. There is not a day that I don't see a meme reminding people to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is a major part of staying healthy because our bodies are mostly water. Water is the key to the function of your bodily systems. Dehydration can cause a whole host of issues, and these can be discouraging if you don't know the cause. It is often recommended that we consume 8, 8oz glasses of water a day, but like everything else, it is entirely up to your body and the amount of activity you participate in. A marathon runner isn't going to require the same amount of hydration as someone taking a short stroll around the neighborhood after work. Listen to your body!
8. Don't Deprive Yourself!
If you want a chocolate chip cookie, do it! The only stipulation is that you need to do it in moderation. When I say you shouldn't deprive yourself, I don't mean to go out of control. One Chocolate Chip cookie isn't going to ruin your progress, but if you have a dozen or two every day for a week, it'll probably set you back slightly. This point goes back to #1 "Don't Beat Yourself Up" and #3 "Start Slow." We are all human beings, and we all have our weaknesses (mine are ice cream and anything chocolate!). A new lifestyle isn't a punishment that you must endure. Life is short, and you should have fun with it! If eating a chocolate chip cookie is too much guilt to handle, make a healthier version. There are tons of recipes out there that you can experiment with to find your best substitute. Sometimes if I am craving chocolate, I'll add some Cocoa Powder to some oatmeal for breakfast. It's healthy, and it satisfies that nagging voice in the back of my mind.
Committed Now?
Let me know in the comments what keeps you committed during a lifestyle change! Also, head on over to my Instagram to catch some extra facts and tips that you might not see here!
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