5-Step Process To Create Healthy Habits
Did You Know: it takes an average of 66 days to create a new habit?
If you are trying to instill new health habits in 2022, first of all CONGRATS. Second of all, you’ve got this. Thirdly, you need a plan of action.
Here is my 5-step process for habit building:
Start small - whether your habits truly are big or not, breaking them down into smaller actionable steps is essential for longevity.
For example, if you want to run a marathon, and you’re not a “runner”, you don’t start out by running 10 miles on Day 1. You begin with a 5-10 minute jog and work up from there (after your body is acclimated).
Schedule it - if something is new, and you’re a busy person, the only way you’ll remember to do said habit is to make it easy for yourself. Block time off on your physical calendar. Set alerts. Make Post-Its. Put a physical reminder of the habit out in a place you frequent, directly in your line of sight. The goal: prioritizing this habit for the next 66 days (and putting it front and center) until it becomes automated.
Pro Tip: do your hardest things first, preferably in the morning. And remember, new things are hard - they’re unfamiliar, require thought and effort, and go against the grain of your routine.
Stack habits - piggybacking a new habit on an old habit creates an association that increases compliance.
For example, if your new habit is to take your supplements regularly…and you need to take them first thing in the morning…lay them out by your coffee pot (if you’re a coffee drinker). You’ll see them as you prepare your morning coffee and as it’s brewing, you have time to take them - viola, habit done!
Find an accountability partner - most things for most people are easier with support (especially at the beginning). Ask a friend, family member or significant other if he/she wants to do the new habit with you - this will certainly boost morale. If not, share that you’re trying this new thing and ask for help; I’m sure he/she will be open to nudging you along the way.
Pro Tip: seek out coaching. From business and health coaches to personal trainers, these people are paid to learn your needs, help you outline a process, motivate you to implement it and hold you accountable.
If you have health goal(s) for 2022, I can help! Book a FREE 15-minute call with me to learn more about my ‘taylored’ approach.
Practice, practice, PRACTICE - this is arguably the most important step - the more you do something, the more routine it becomes. This is why professional athletes train every single day (even off-season).
Remember, it takes a little over TWO months to create a habit! You need to start the habit, do it daily and stay consistent for approximately this amount of time to create new pathways in your brain that eventually automate the new behavior.
If you’re looking for BIG change in your weight, energy and body confidence levels in 2022, let’s chat! Click HERE to book a One-On-One Coaching Session.