It’s no secret that sticking to a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. You may find yourself skipping workouts, enjoying a few too many treats, or lacking motivation more often than you’d like to admit. And that’s okay.
After all, no one is perfect. No matter how dedicated you are to leading a healthier lifestyle, you’re going to slip up sometimes. We all do. What truly matters is what you do next. Are you going to give up on all your health goals because you ate a piece of cake at that birthday party? We hope not. Giving up may feel like the easier option, but we are here to tell you that getting back on track doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think. In fact, we have a few tips to help you out.
1. Remember Your “Why”
When you realize that you’ve let your healthy habits slip and want to get back on track, the best place to start is with your “why”. Remind yourself of your reason for starting these habits in the first place. The more you can remind yourself of your “why,” the more motivated you will be to pick up where you left off. To help keep your reasons at the front of your mind, you can write them down and put them somewhere you will see them often, like on your fridge or taped to your bathroom mirror. That way, every time you see them you’ll get a boost of motivation to help you keep going.
2. Don’t Procrastinate
It’s easy to tell yourself that you’ll start again tomorrow, but it’s also easy for tomorrow to quickly become next week, next month, or next year. The longer you put it off, the less likely you are to hold yourself accountable and truly get back on track. So don’t put it off any longer. Instead of starting tomorrow, start now. If you need to get back to healthier eating habits, start with your next meal. If you have been skipping your workouts, get one in before you go to bed. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for not putting it off any longer.
3. Forgive Yourself
We all have moments when we lose our motivation, eat an unhealthy meal, or skip a workout, and that’s okay. There is no need to panic or beat yourself up over it. Give yourself some grace. Remind yourself that you are only human, and that means that sometimes you’ll make mistakes. The important part is what you do next. Make a plan to get back on track and start moving forward with a positive mindset. You’ll be right back where you want to be in no time.
4. Focus on Small Changes First
Even if you’re only slightly off track, it can feel daunting to know how far you have to go. But you can do this. Take a deep breath and start with one small change at a time. Progress doesn’t have to be made in leaps and bounds. In fact, in the long term, smaller changes are more likely to be effective than big ones. So pick one small change you can make that will lead you toward your end goal, then make that change and go from there. All those small changes will start to add up quickly.
5. Revisit Your Goals
If there is one thing we know for certain, it’s that things change. We all move through different stages of life—we finish school, get a new job, start a family, or move to a new city. Sometimes, these changes mean that your day-to-day life no longer aligns with the goals you’ve set for yourself. It’s to be expected. The great thing about goals is that you can always change them if the need arises. If you find yourself struggling to get back on track, take some time to reevaluate your goals. If they are no longer feasible because of your current situation, then make some adjustments so they are more realistic. Then make a new plan to help you get there and get to work.
6. Connect With People
As we grow older, we tend to enjoy more time by ourselves. This is a good thing if it means that you are spending that time engaging in healthy activities. However, if we’re being honest, it’s far too easy to spend this downtime lounging on the couch with a few snacks while we binge our favorite TV series. One way to overcome these habits is to make it a priority to connect with people. Set aside time to take your family on an outdoor adventure, invite some friends on a weekend getaway to explore a nearby town, or find an online community of people who are working towards similar health goals. Whatever you choose to do, making time to connect with others is a great way to avoid falling back into old habits. Plus, it has the added benefit of boosting your mental and emotional health.
7. Reward Yourself
When you are on a journey toward a healthier lifestyle, no success is too small for a reward. Whether you’ve stuck to a healthy habit for a week or you’re closer to your goal weight because you lost a few pounds, it’s worth celebrating! By celebrating, we don’t mean treating yourself to things that contradict your goals, like eating a whole bag of potato chips or having fast food for dinner. Instead, treat yourself to an evening at the movies, a day at the spa, or an item at that local shop that you’ve had your eye on for a while.
It’s Time to Get Back on Track
Everyone’s wellness journey is unique. The choices you make and the steps you take are all part of the experience. Embrace them, and remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s okay if you step off the path or take a detour. Just make sure you find your way back. Giving yourself grace and putting in the work when your healthy lifestyle gets off track is all part of the process. So whatever goals you have set for yourself, whatever habits you’ve let slip, now is the time. Start by putting one foot in front of the other and see where your wellness journey takes you.