The degree to which we need to improve our health habits varies greatly. Some of us could use a bit of tweaking while others are in dire need of change. We get so ingrained into our bad habits that it can seem impossible to fix. We have a distorted view of ourselves as ‘’unhealthy’’ and that we cannot be fixed. But, that is not true. As someone who has reformed her health dramatically over the years, I can attest to the truth that change is always possible. It is never too late to turn things around. Here are a few tips that worked for me and I know they can work for you too.
What Drives You
If you are in a position where you are thinking about changing your ways, there is something, or probably many things, driving this desire to change. These are powerful motivators, and clearly defining your ‘’why’’ will create a strong foundation for a new way of living. Maybe you want to be a better example for your children. Maybe you are a new grandparent and want to stick around as long as you can. Maybe you were just diagnosed with a condition that is heavily influenced by lifestyle and you want to turn things around and prevent a further decline in your health. Think deeply about why you want to change. Keep digging until you have reached the core reasons. Keep asking why until you cannot go any deeper.
Start Small to Build Up Confidence
You may look at where you are now health-wise and where you know you need to be and feel completely overwhelmed. So many bad habits to break, and o many changes that need to be made. When we feel like this, we tend to do something interesting. Instead of tackling the problem in small chunks at a time, we do nothing at all. Then we suffer from guilt, frustration, and a host of other negative emotions that come from knowing we need to do something and not doing it. If you can make smaller changes successfully, your confidence will build.
You will see that you are truly capable of changing and it will motivate you to make bigger strides. If you are eating out, for example, do not force yourself to finish your meal even if you feel full. Take a pass on the bread that comes out; skip dessert if you like you cannot eat another bite. Just a few nights this week, eat some fruit instead of the usual cake or ice cream.
Don’t Try to Be Perfect
I know there are people out there who have not touched sugar or a refined carbohydrate in years—I truly admire them. I do not know if I could ever demonstrate that level of commitment. While I am certainly a healthy person, I love a good ravioli dish or Almond Joy now and again. Eating can bring great pleasure and there is nothing wrong with wanting to have something simply because it tastes good, even if it may not be the healthiest item you could choose. Be realistic about the situation; do not go extreme or you will set yourself up for failure. Going from a junk food junkie to never eating sugar again overnight is a big stretch that will probably not work out too well. Know that being a healthy person does not have to mean giving up everything good in life.