Stop trying to change everything in one go!

This week I want to talk about the overwhelm we create for ourselves by trying to change too many things at once. Below are my tips for making habit changes that last and help you get to your weight-loss and health goals

1. Be realistic with the changes you want to make

When we decide we want to make changes, lose weight, get healthier and fitter it is super easy to list out loads new habits we are going to start:

• Get up super early
• Workout 6 times a week
• Eat only salad for lunch
• Walk 10,000 steps every day
• Start couch to 5k
• Give up alcohol apart from on Saturdays
• No more chocolate
• Home cooked meals, from scratch, for every meal
• Buy everything Organic
• Start taking vitamins daily

The list could go on…..

Firstly this is a huge list of changes to make.

But secondly and I think more importantly is this list achievable for where you are RIGHT NOW?

For example if you haven’t worked out in 18 months are you actually going to be able to go from 0 to 6 in one week? Or are you going to over do it and end up giving up?

If you are time poor and frankly not great at cooking is it realistic to think that you can cook all meals from scratch 3 times a day 7 days a week plus your 6 workouts and 10k steps a day?

Probably not….start with your list of changes and then.....

2. Pick one or two things to change and stick to them consistently

Decide what you can do from that list every day for 2 weeks. And force yourself to only focus on one or two. Then focus on doing them consistently for 7 to 14 days. And don’t be afraid to work up to the goal.

For example if you want to get to 10k steps a day but you are currently only doing 3k then build it up over a two week period.

3. Make a plan

This bit is really important. If you are adding things to your day that are going to take extra time to complete you need to plan them in.

Sit down with your diary and plan in when you are going to get your walks in, cook your meals or go for that jog. Block the time out in your diary. Because if its not in your diary you are less likely to do it.

And whilst you are at it - have a back up plan….you want to go for a walk but the weather is pants, you had your COVID vaccine and feel a bit pants or one of the kids is acting a bit pants and you just don’t think you are going to make it out the door - ok what’s the backup? How about a kitchen disco to get the steps up whilst you are cooking dinner?

4. Get support

Getting support not only helps you to stick to your plans but it also gives you that extra bit of accountability. Speak to the other half, kids, family and friends and tell them what you are doing and what support you need from them.

It may be you need the other half to stop coming home with biscuits. Or that you need them to do bath time so you can get out for that walk. Or that you are going to try out some new recipes and you want their feedback on them.

5. Review your progress

This is key to the continued success of the changes you want to make. Consider how the changes made you feel. Did getting out for a walk every day give you more energy? Stop the tiredness you often feel mid afternoon when you normally reach for a coffee and cookie? What challenges you faced along the way and how did you get around them? And what improvements are you going to make next week?

Go slow to go fast ladies - changing everything at once does not guarantee results x