One of the most important things to remember while adopting a new lifestyle is to be patient with your changes. It is possible to push yourself too hard and end up overextending yourself. It happens to us all; sometimes we make a goal or a commitment that we can’t keep. However, we need to find a balance and figure out how to take a break without giving up. Don’t let a deviation stop you from reaching the finish line. Here’s some suggestions if you find yourself backtracking:
Did you take too much on?
Are you consistently missing out on your goals? Revisit your goal and try for a smaller one first. For example, if you were not an active person and you set a goal to go to the gym 4 times a week, this is a big jump. Change our goal to two or three times a week. This might be more sensible. Once you are consistently meeting your smaller goal, you can increase later.
Reward Yourself!
Have you been successful with your new habits? Remember that it is okay to reward yourself for your hard work. As an example, if you had a goal to cut out sweets this year and have done it, treat yourself to some dark chocolate! You don’t want to get so deprived that you end up going back to eating sugary treats. Instead, enjoy a small square of dark chocolate which is loaded with antioxidants that can prevent disease.
Starting to Lag?
Don’t stop now! We are almost 1/6 of the way through 2018. If you started the year off trying to get healthy, this is the time where our practices start to transform into habits. If you have made the switch to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, you might be feeling a little better every day. Check in with your body to see how you are feeling. There is no other reward than seeing or feeling your results. This will encourage you to keep going!
Need a Break?
Remember that part of being human is making mistakes. If you do deviate from your plan, do not beat yourself up about it. Instead, wake up the next day and keep moving. Be kind to yourself, but also hold yourself accountable in order to really make a lasting change.
Tomorrow is another day on your journey to a healthier you!