Last summer, I experienced an acute illness that had me lose twenty pounds as I switched my diet to gluten-free, sugar-free, fat-free, and dairy-free (and essentially felt like I could only ingest air and cardboard!). I incorporated thirty minutes of physical activity into my day and dropped another twenty-five pounds. Blood tests yielded positive values in cholesterol, blood sugar, and more! What began as a health crisis led to an awakening and precipitated a necessary lifestyle change for better health and well-being.
Whether getting fitter, healthier, eating or sleeping better, or changing your routine, making a lifestyle change can be daunting at first, then challenging but rewarding. Making such a change can improve health, happiness, and overall well-being.
Here are some tips to help you make a successful lifestyle change:
- Identify your goal: Determine what you want to achieve with your lifestyle change. It could be weight loss, better sleep, more physical activity, improved mental health, or something else.
- Create a plan: Develop a realistic action plan with specific steps to achieve your goal. Break down the larger goal into smaller, achievable milestones to track your progress.
- Make small changes: Start with minor changes to your routine and gradually increase the intensity or duration. This helps to avoid feeling overwhelmed and makes it more likely to stick to the change.
- Be consistent: Stick to your plan and incorporate your new habits into your daily routine. Consistency is critical to successfully making a lifestyle change.
- Get support: Having support from friends, family, or a healthcare professional can be helpful. They can offer encouragement and advice and hold you accountable.
- Track your progress: Keep track of your progress and celebrate your successes. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
- Be patient: Lifestyle changes take time and effort. Be gentle with yourself, and remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process. Keep working towards your goals and trust the process.
Remember that making a lifestyle change is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, effort, and commitment, but the improved health and well-being rewards are well worth it. Coaching can help you stay accountable—contact me if you’d like to learn how life transition coaching can help you make a lifestyle change!
Butterfly image courtesy of Pavan Prasad on Pixabay.