We always talk about how we are going to change for the better, and for some of us, that is enough to make it happen. For the rest of us, we need a little bit better of a plan. That is our first fault in the change. We don't plan. We say we are going to eat healthier, and then we get the same food at the grocery store, or even worse, we clear out all of our old food and go buy all the fresh veggies and fruits and then order pizza because we are hungry. We say we are going to save money but then we keep the same old habits and our savings account doesn't change. Or we are going to work out, get healthy and look great in that bikini come summer. And we go to the gym once, get intimidated and don't go back. Have any of you been there, cause I've done all of these and then some.
We need a plan! And to not make it too much of a challenge. And to accept that sometimes we will suffer setbacks. The general rule out there is it takes 30, maybe 66, but who knows how many days to make a new habit stick. We are all individuals, if it doesn't stick for you in the first bit, maybe it takes a little longer, or maybe you need to evaluate your goal and how you PLAN to achieve it. And don't overwhelm yourself by taking on too much too soon. We all plan on January 1st to lose 20 pounds, become vegan (ok, maybe not that one), and save $100 a week. And by January 7th, we realize that life sucks as a skinny broke vegan, so we stop. But maybe if we only set one goal on January 1st, we would get there. And maybe set the alarm on your phone to remind you on February 1st to start working on the next one.
Sure fire ways to fail are to be too vague in our goal. "I want to eat healthier" is a lot less encompassing than "I will only eat fruit and a single piece of dark chocolate for my snack". Then sneak in a little, "trade out white bread for wheat bread in my sandwich" for an added bonus. Now you have a specific, easily achievable and maintainable goal. Also, it is okay and encouraged to share your goals, to let the people around you know that you don't want donuts at the shop and lunch at that great buffet is really just too tempting. If they really are your friend, they will accommodate you and your goals.
As for saving money, that's easy. Most of us get some small (sometimes large) wage increase each year. You already live off of the old money you made, so why up your lifestyle to just spend more money if you have it. Save that money. If you don't have a raise coming to you, and you want to save, set up your plan. Open a savings account and put money in it. Don't keep your debit card in your wallet to get that money out. With direct deposit you can send money to multiple accounts easily, or you can set up an automatic transfer of cash from your other account. Don't view this as money available to you. Its not. It is your savings. A little bit quickly adds up to a lot more. And don't look at it every day, it will tempt you and taunt you. Look at it every 6 months and see how much it has grown. That should inspire you to let it keep growing. What are you going to save for? A down payment on a house? A new car? A vacation? Give yourself a reason to save.
If the gym is your nemesis, as it is mine, find an activity you are interested in and pursue that. If you want to lift weights, but don't know how, maybe work with a trainer for a bit. Sure, you may have to pay, but actually learning how to use the weights is going to be way more beneficial to you in the long run for your safety and health and confidence. Or sign up for a class. And if it is something that is on-going, and perhaps takes an automatic payment to keep it going, you will be inspired like me to not skip. I hate wasting money! I signed up for boxing classes once, and even if I was so tired, I made sure I made it to class because I had paid for that and I was not throwing my money away. Don't forget that nature is a great place to workout too. Go for a hike. Go adopt a high energy dog and then you have a great friend and a reason to get up and go take a walk or run to save your sanity from the crazy dog. And he'll probably love to go for a hike too! If you have been a couch potato, don't despair that after your first training session you are sore and tired. It means you are doing something for your health. Take a day to recover, take a slow day of reworking your muscles and get back out there.
Finally, reward yourself! Achieve your goal for a certain number of days, pounds lost, money saved, whatever the goal is, set yourself a reward! It is ok to indulge yourself and feel like the champion you are. You have earned it. By the way, massage is a great treat for the body and soul!
We need a plan! And to not make it too much of a challenge. And to accept that sometimes we will suffer setbacks. The general rule out there is it takes 30, maybe 66, but who knows how many days to make a new habit stick. We are all individuals, if it doesn't stick for you in the first bit, maybe it takes a little longer, or maybe you need to evaluate your goal and how you PLAN to achieve it. And don't overwhelm yourself by taking on too much too soon. We all plan on January 1st to lose 20 pounds, become vegan (ok, maybe not that one), and save $100 a week. And by January 7th, we realize that life sucks as a skinny broke vegan, so we stop. But maybe if we only set one goal on January 1st, we would get there. And maybe set the alarm on your phone to remind you on February 1st to start working on the next one.
Sure fire ways to fail are to be too vague in our goal. "I want to eat healthier" is a lot less encompassing than "I will only eat fruit and a single piece of dark chocolate for my snack". Then sneak in a little, "trade out white bread for wheat bread in my sandwich" for an added bonus. Now you have a specific, easily achievable and maintainable goal. Also, it is okay and encouraged to share your goals, to let the people around you know that you don't want donuts at the shop and lunch at that great buffet is really just too tempting. If they really are your friend, they will accommodate you and your goals.
As for saving money, that's easy. Most of us get some small (sometimes large) wage increase each year. You already live off of the old money you made, so why up your lifestyle to just spend more money if you have it. Save that money. If you don't have a raise coming to you, and you want to save, set up your plan. Open a savings account and put money in it. Don't keep your debit card in your wallet to get that money out. With direct deposit you can send money to multiple accounts easily, or you can set up an automatic transfer of cash from your other account. Don't view this as money available to you. Its not. It is your savings. A little bit quickly adds up to a lot more. And don't look at it every day, it will tempt you and taunt you. Look at it every 6 months and see how much it has grown. That should inspire you to let it keep growing. What are you going to save for? A down payment on a house? A new car? A vacation? Give yourself a reason to save.
If the gym is your nemesis, as it is mine, find an activity you are interested in and pursue that. If you want to lift weights, but don't know how, maybe work with a trainer for a bit. Sure, you may have to pay, but actually learning how to use the weights is going to be way more beneficial to you in the long run for your safety and health and confidence. Or sign up for a class. And if it is something that is on-going, and perhaps takes an automatic payment to keep it going, you will be inspired like me to not skip. I hate wasting money! I signed up for boxing classes once, and even if I was so tired, I made sure I made it to class because I had paid for that and I was not throwing my money away. Don't forget that nature is a great place to workout too. Go for a hike. Go adopt a high energy dog and then you have a great friend and a reason to get up and go take a walk or run to save your sanity from the crazy dog. And he'll probably love to go for a hike too! If you have been a couch potato, don't despair that after your first training session you are sore and tired. It means you are doing something for your health. Take a day to recover, take a slow day of reworking your muscles and get back out there.
Finally, reward yourself! Achieve your goal for a certain number of days, pounds lost, money saved, whatever the goal is, set yourself a reward! It is ok to indulge yourself and feel like the champion you are. You have earned it. By the way, massage is a great treat for the body and soul!
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