Every year it’s the same: “This year I’m going to work out every day!” “This year I’m going to only eat healthy food!” “This year I’m going to be healthier than I have ever been!” And on and on. We all resolve to be healthier and for a few days or weeks most of us commit ourselves fully to this ideal. Then we remember how good cake tastes and how many great television programs are waiting for us to watch them and it all goes downhill.
The reason that many of us fail to keep our “get healthy” resolutions is because we try to radically change our lifestyles in one sweeping motion. The shock feels good at first but eventually we miss our old indulgences and, as cliche as it is: old habits die hard. Most will creep back eventually, especially if you haven’t replaced them with anything better. And the key to replacing bad habits with good habits is to go slowly and to make changes you know can be and that you want to be sustainable. Here are a few of them that you can make.
Stand Up!
Most of us spend our days sitting at our desks at work. Ask your boss for a standing desk or an adjustable desk instead. Adjustable desks are great because they allow you to slowly work your way up toward being able to stand all day.
Standing desks are great for improving your blood pressure, your posture, your digestive health, etc. There have been many studies that have shown standing is a much better choice than sitting, especially for long periods of time. Eventually you might even consider changing your standing desk into a walking desk!
Move Around
Nobody says that you have to skip your weekly binge of Shonda Rhimes programming if you want to be healthy. But there also aren’t any rules that say you have to indulge in your favorite shows while lounging on your couch. Move around while you watch! There are plenty of different at-home workouts you can do right in your living room while you watch your favorite shows. Alternatively, put a treadmill or stationary bike in front of your screen and only let yourself watch while walking, running, or pedaling. The extra movement is good for you!
Trade Out
Part of the reason that people have a hard time sticking to resolutions to eat healthier meals is that, after so many years of wolfing down processed foods, junk foods, convenience foods and fast food, healthy food tastes weird. It just does! A fresh tomato tastes nothing like a canned tomato! It is literally a shock to your system when you expect one taste but get another. So instead of throwing out all of your boxed pastas, canned goods, etc. Slowly use them up and as you use them up replace them with the healthier version of the food. Do this one or two ingredients per meal at a time so that you can rebuild your palate’s expectations. Eventually you’ll probably discover that processed food starts to taste really bad to you, and this will help you stay the course toward a healthier diet.
Talk to Someone
Perhaps the biggest reason that people fail to keep their resolutions, especially when it comes to health, is that they internalize them instead of sharing them. One of the best ways to stay on track is to enlist a friend with the same goals to work alongside you toward a healthier lifestyle. Having a “buddy” gives you an external source to whom you are accountable. It is also helpful to have someone to cheer you on when you do make progress and who can motivate you when you start to feel frustrated.
You might also consider enlisting the help of a counselor. Remember, good health isn’t just physical it is mental too. Working with a therapist or counselor to get to the root of your unhealthy habits will make it easier to choose healthier habits going forward. And working through your issues with a trusted professional is always a good idea!
The point is this: Getting healthy isn’t really a single decision. It is many small decisions that you make every day. Use these tips to help you improve your habits so you can end the year healthier than you started it.
talkhealth contributors
Our contributors blogspot features blogs about various aspects of health and fitness written by a diverse range of guests including individuals from professional bodies and organisations.
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