Make it easier
Whenever we set out to maintain a healthy lifestyle we tend to be slightly over ambitious and paint a rose tinted picture of how we will be this time.
Start with one thing and make it easy so you build confidence and momentum with bigger challenges down the line.
For example, instead of working out 6 days a week, try starting with 3.
Instead of cutting out sugar completely, replace the post dinner sweet with 1/2 a cup of berries/ another fruit. Instead of doing a detox, try adding one fist sized portion of veg with each of your meals.
Have an information fast
We have more information available to us than ever before. It can be so overwhelming that it leaves us confused with different camps shouting very credible arguments.
If you have a trusted source, use that one exclusively and follow its information for at least 6-8 weeks if possible. That will give you enough time to see if that works for you. Everyone is different, but sticking to one thing for a period will usually yield greater return than chopping and changing.
Be specific with what you want
Knowing where you want to go really helps keep us motivated longer. Painting a post card of what we want to achieve and doing simple things like putting a what, a where, a why and a deadline on it makes a huge difference.
For example, I want to lose 5kg by 6pm September 30th so I can feel more energized every day.
Bring a friend
As long as you choose a good friend and not someone who will sabotage the goal at the slightest sign of toughness. Bringing a friend can make the journey more fun, a social experience, and you can work as a team to motivate each other.
For example, canceling on your workout partner on a cold morning at 7am will make you feel far worse than just pressing the snooze with no one waiting on you.
Keep track of your progress
There is nothing more soul destroying than plodding along not knowing if you are on course towards a goal. If you don't know whether you need to be happy with you progress, tweak your plan or redirect your course completely.
Measure your progress regularly. For example, take before and after pictures every 2-4 weeks, measure your body fat or simply tick a visible chart that tells you whether you followed your habit stacking plan.
Any number of these will help you stick to your plan. Try one.
Yours in health
Patrick Fallis