Most would agree that they want to live long, happy, and healthy lives. However, the journey to accomplishing these goals is often riddled with challenges that hold us back. It’s not uncommon to hear stories about people who started off on the right track but eventually fell off the bandwagon. Although there are logical explanations for an unfavorable outcome, giving up shouldn’t be an option. The most practical solution is to develop a wellness plan.
How do you stick to your wellness journey? Consider adopting these healthy habits listed below.
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Know Your Status And Needs
You know you want to improve your physical and emotional well-being, but do you know your current health status and wellness needs? When you know the ideal weight for your height, blood pressure, glucose levels, deficiencies, and existing medical conditions, you can determine which lifestyle changes are necessary to achieve optimal health.
If you haven’t been to the doctor in a while, schedule an appointment for a wellness checkup. They will ask questions, draw blood, and complete other examinations and tests to assess your current condition and risks. Your doctor can also advise you on healthy lifestyle habits to improve your status.
Write Down Goals
The next step is to write down your wellness goals. Use the information provided by your doctor and personal interests you may have to compile a list. When you write down your overall goals, apply a deadline. For example, you might want to lose 50 pounds in the next 6-9 months. When you add a timeline, ensure that it’s realistic. When goals seem impossible to accomplish, it’s easy to give up.
Take It A Step Further
Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. So, once you’ve got your wellness goals and timelines written down, break them into actionable steps. For instance, what do you need to do to lose 50 pounds in 6-9 months? Some suggestions might include eliminating fast and processed foods and exercising at least three to five times a week. If that’s the case, you’d need to develop systems to help you stick to your goals. Cooking and home and meal preparation may be necessary to avoid eating fast foods. Finding gyms with pools might be ideal to make exercising weekly more enjoyable.
Use Modern Technology To Your Advantage
The great thing about prioritizing your health these days is that plenty of technological tools and resources are at your disposal. You can add gym visits to your calendar and set reminders, so you don’t forget. If there is a day you can’t make it to the gym, you can watch online videos and work out at home. You can download health and fitness apps to track your calories, food intake, and overall progress. Some applications even enable you to chart and share your journey with friends and other community members. The accountability and support can go a long way in helping you to stay on track.
Make It Fun!
Yes, improving your health and wellness should be a priority. It’s also essential to living a long and fulfilling life. However, if you put too much pressure on yourself or take the matter too seriously, it can start to feel like a chore. The most effective way to stick to your wellness journey is to find ways to make it fun. Here are some options to consider:
- Enlist a family member or friend to go on the journey with you
- Engage in friendly competition with other health and fitness lovers
- Find fun ways to work out like yoga, Zumba classes, swimming, or dancing.
- Learn creative recipes to make healthy eating enjoyable.
- Find healthy alternatives to some of your cravings.
- Track your progress
- Reward yourself for meeting small goals
Prioritizing your health and wellness is vital, but it’s not the most straightforward task. You’ve spent years engaging in unhealthy habits that will take time, patience, and dedication to get past. The best way to stick to your wellness journey is to create an effective plan. Know your medical status and needs, write down your goals, break them down into actionable steps, capitalize on technology, and most importantly, have fun!