How is 2014 going so far? Did you make any of the “Small Changes” I shared last month or any other kind of resolution? If you either made a resolution or committed to making some small changes, how is it going? Have these changes become nearly second nature and part of your lifestyle now (theory suggests it takes at least 21 days to create a habit) or did you find it a challenge to keep the ball rolling? Or did you let the new year get underway without making any kind of modification at all because you weren’t sure where or how to start?
If you did attempt to implement a change of some kind and weren’t as successful as you had hoped, do you know why?
I have a theory…
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Do either of these comments ring true for you?
“I’m either all in or all out!”
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“I’m either on the bus or under the bus!”
If you find yourself making these or similar statements, I would suggest that the reason you are having a tough time staying “all in” or “on the bus” is because you are over committing and not making reasonable, realistic and sustainable changes. In her January newsletter, Laurie Warren, MS Nutrition of Warren Wellness shared similar sentiments: “Changing your choices overnight is not normally attainable and can seem insurmountable and overwhelming.” She continued, “So, start with one thing, and when you’ve got that down, move on to the next.”
Exactly! As I suggested in January, make small changes! If you would like to be leading a healthier lifestyle, take baby steps. Don’t try to overhaul your entire eating, sleeping and exercise routines all at once.
For example:
*If you know you don’t eat enough vegetables, commit to eating some once a day.
*If you know you aren’t “moving” enough, commit to taking a 30 minute walk three times a week.
*If you are stressed out and always running around, take a look at your commitments and find one thing to stop doing.
Someone who has known me for more than 2o years asked me last week how I had gotten to where I am today. The answer is gradual change that began in the spring of 2006. That’s 8 years folks! Meaningful change DOES NOT happen overnight. With each modification I made to my life, I felt better both physically and mentally and the desire grew to make even more improvements in my health and lifestyle. You would be amazed how success at one small change energizes you to make more.
So why don’t you pick just one thing and get started…
