When you decide to make a big life change like living healthier, you’re bound to encounter setbacks in your journey. The best thing you can do to get through them is just to move on, and don’t let them discourage you. Remember that slip-ups happen to everyone, even the healthiest fitness gurus! And what separates them from the pack isn’t necessarily just willpower, it’s the ability to move past a mistake and jump quickly back into their healthy habits.
You don’t need superhuman self-control–you need a good game plan with the right set of strategies. Here are some tips for dealing with setbacks when they occur.
Make Your Good Habits Part of Your Schedule
Pick a specific time during your day and make it your workout time. Move things around if necessary–working out should have its own slot in your day. That way it’s just part of your day, not something you squeeze in somewhere when you have half an hour to spare.
Or if you have an irregular day-to-day schedule that makes a set time difficult, another option is to tie the habits you want to develop into your current routine. By doing so, you’ll develop a sort of trigger behavior that will remind you that your new habit comes next.
Find Someone to Hold You Accountable
Whether it’s a workout buddy or just someone to report to, get someone who can expect something of you. You don’t have to be on a team for this to work–just make friends at the gym. When you have someone expecting you to show up, that can be enough to motivate you to go.
Find Small Ways to Keep to Your Schedule
It’s not missing a workout here and there that’s the problem, it’s the cumulative effect of falling out of the habit. It’s important to keep to your schedule, even if it’s just in little ways. If you don’t have the time to do a full workout, just do ten squats, a few crunches, or wall sits during gaps in your day. If you can’t do a complete yoga routine, take five minutes to just meditate and breathe.
The most important thing is the direction you are headed—keep your trajectory aimed at your goals and you will get there.
To schedule a free consultation with a Utah nutritionist, contact Total Health and Fitness today.
