Many of us have fallen into this trap before: When we’re motivated to improve our health and fitness, we look for the “perfect” start date on the calendar. We hope for a day when our schedules are relatively free so that we can stick to a six-day-a-week workout schedule and a strict diet plan.
Finally, the chosen date arrived and we dove headfirst into this intense regimen. We went from zero to sixty very quickly. But since it’s bound to happen, the inevitable happens – we indulge in “forbidden” foods or miss a workout.
Suddenly, guilt and shame engulf us and we believe we have failed. We question the purpose of it all. In response, we return to our previous habits of zero exercise and mindless eating. This pattern will continue until we gather enough momentum to return to an “all or nothing” approach.
It’s time to break out of this cycle.
The truth is, adopting a more sustainable approach and focusing on simple fundamentals yields lasting results. The key is to set small, achievable goals that you can maintain over the long term.
As you accumulate these wins, you start to build momentum. Once new habits are formed, your efforts will become effortless. Your mindset is changing.
Curious about these simple basics? Please allow me to share it with you.
I encourage clients to focus on a few “anchors” that they can incorporate into their daily lives. These anchors serve as a framework for basic habits that, if followed consistently most of the time (no need to be perfect), will produce dramatic results.
These anchor points include:
- Take 6,000 steps or more every day.
- Perform full-body resistance training twice a week.
- Include protein and produce in three meals a day.
- Eliminate mindless snacking.
Pick one of these anchors to start and keep working on it until it becomes a habit. Understand that you won’t always succeed, and that’s totally okay.
Stick to it. Eventually, you will begin to experience its benefits and it will become a natural part of your daily life and lifestyle. Until one day, it becomes second nature.
You can then move to another anchor point.
By letting go of the “all or nothing” mentality and focusing on small, impactful habits, you’ll achieve incredible results and embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
