Becoming healthier is a difficult change to make. It requires changing your mind, your body, and your habits. That being said, just because a task is challenging does not mean it is impossible. In fact, some of the most important things we can do for ourselves may just so happen to be the most challenging.
Congratulations on your desire to make positive changes in your life. Just being here could be counted as your first step towards a happier, healthier you. Here are some tips, strategies, and advice on how you can make positive changes and start working towards a better you.
DECIDE WHO YOU WANT TO BE
Sit down and be honest with yourself. What kind of person do you want to become? Think about what changes you need to make in your life to become the person you want to be. You don’t need to try to become like someone else, physically or otherwise. Honestly, it’s probably better if you don’t. These changes will become the ideals on which you build your goals.
SET REALISTIC, ATTAINABLE GOALS
Once your long-terms goals or aspirations have been set, break them down into smaller, short-term goals. With these goals in mind, figure out what actions you need to take, and perhaps what things you need to avoid, every day. For example, if your larger goal is to lose weight, come up with a specific weight you’d like to reach. Create short term goals around how much weight loss is healthy on a weekly or monthly basis. Finally, determine what foods you’ll eat and
when you’ll schedule your exercise in order to make that goal a reality.
BUILD UP YOUR TEAM
Just because your goals are personal doesn’t mean you have to take on this challenge alone. While you are the one who is responsible for your own success, it never hurts to have some family or friends to push you in the right direction. Create a team of support who are working towards goals similars to yours; this will give you people to hold yourself accountable to. You can count on them and they can count on you. Your success then becomes something bigger than yourself.
STICK WITH IT
There might be days where you fall short. While you don’t want to make excuses for yourself, realize everyday is still a new beginning. How you respond to bad day might just be the most important part of your journey to becoming that person you envisioned when you were deciding who you wanted to be. Will you let one bad day stop you from becoming the person you want to be?
SIMPLE CHANGES TO HELP YOU START
Becoming healthier and changing your life can feel daunting at first. Change is never easy, but if you are working towards something you really want, it’s always worth it. Here are a few healthy habits you can use to kick-start your healthier life:
- Drink more water.
- Eat more fruits and veggies.
- Schedule exercise time into your day.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Go to bed earlier.
- Wake up a little earlier and stretch.
- Bike to work.
- Don’t forget to eat breakfast.
- Park at the back of the parking lot.
- Establish a proper, consistent sleep schedule.
Some of these might be more difficult than others, but any person could apply at least one of these to their schedule.
We can all be better. Your desire to do so is inspiring. By realizing the changes you want to make, setting proper goals, and taking action, you can become the person you hope to be. Be happy with who you are, but never stop trying to be a little better.