How to stick to a healthy lifestyle!

Introduction

We all set our new year's resolutions with the best intentions and are very determined to fulfil them early in the year. We drink more water, eat healthy and even visit the gyms 3-5 times a week. But as the year progresses, we lose steam, motivation, and determination. What appeared doable a few weeks ago can quickly becomes unattainable. We can bring so many excuses, but at the end we need to have a realistic look at the root of the problem. We are going to share with you some tips and tricks to actually help you develop new habits and achieve your goals!

Fit it to your lifestyle

The most common reason people don't stick to their exercise routines is that the schedule doesn't suit their lifestyle, or it brings time or budget constraints or affects our physical condition. So make it personal!

Give it some time! Identifying what works for you is the first step toward a lifetime of balanced physical activity. Consider your lifestyle, time and budget limitations, and physical condition when choosing your activities. Remember to include your preferences and dislikes.

Don’t scare yourself with unachievable goals

Begin with easy-to-achieve targets and gradually raise them as you progress. For example, your target during the first week of a new exercise routine might be to walk for 15 minutes three days per week. Anyone can find 15 minutes in their day to go for a walk, and no special equipment is needed. You'll probably want to walk a little longer after a couple of weeks, which is even better! 

Remember this: A 15 min walk that you actually did is better than the 4-mile run you didn’t.

Lose your all or nothing mindset

People either assume that they must complete a workout exactly as they imagined it—a full 45-60 minutes of high-intensity work at 6 a.m., and that if some aspect of that schedule falls apart (they wake up at 7 a.m instead of 5:30, for example), they will fully abandon their efforts.

Even the most dedicated and active people will have days when they just don't feel like going to the gym. On those days, try not to pass judgment on yourself or brand yourself as a person who lacks motivation. This aversion is absolutely natural, and that knowing it in advance will help you accept certain tough situations.

Visually track it

You are more likely to keep yourself accountable if you visually monitor your habits. Every day that you work out or eat healthy, give yourself a fun sticker (e.g. a gold Star) or put a checkmark on your calendar; you'll be surprised how amazing rewarding it is.

Make a sticky note of your target and stick it somewhere you'll see it every day, like next to a coffee machine or on your bathroom mirror. It will serve as a daily reminder, and you will be less likely to fall out of the habit.