Consistency!
Hello Friends!
Today, I wanted to discuss a topic that I believe is a KEY factor in feeling successful with our health and wellness goals. It's not perfection, it’s consistency. When I think about my own habits and goals, trying to be consistent is something I take very seriously. It starts with making a plan that feels doable, enjoyable, and sustainable. Here are a few steps I ask my clients to complete when formulating a plan set up for consistency.
Define your goals. What are you hoping to accomplish with your exercise plan and/or wellness activities? Be specific and write them down.
Reassess your goals. This step is very important. Once you have goals written in front of you, take another look. Are they attainable, realistic, and achievable? I love a great goal! But, I ask my clients to be very careful not to shoot for something that they are not confident they can achieve. Starting with a goal you feel confident about and building on success is a great way to keep up your motivation!
Plan your program. When. Where. What. Looking at specifics regarding your plan is a huge part of success. Make these sessions with yourself just as important as any other health or wellness appointment you make with someone else. Your plan may fall apart or be derailed by life and that’s okay. If this happens, reassess and find out what worked well and what didn’t. Start again with a new outlook or approach.
Focus on the immediate positives. When we look at long term success, a huge motivator is finding positives in the activity you are engaging in. Do you notice an immediate decrease in stress or anxiety with a workout or meditation? Do you enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after a strength session? Do you like the social engagement of a yoga class? Noticing these immediate positive variables can go a long way toward consistency long term.
Your health and wellness plan doesn’t need to be complex to be a success. Focusing on a doable plan that is consistent tends to give better results. Think about your goals and start where you feel confident you can achieve what you are aiming for. Wellness is a journey of discovery. It's not meant to be perfect. Allow yourself some wiggle room for trial and error. I love the notion of an 80/20 plan. Eighty percent of the time you are tracking your plan like a champion. Twenty percent of the time, you allow for life. Perfectly imperfect. Stay well-ish friends.
Xoxo,
Dani
