Reaching health and fitness goals is something that most of us are passionate about. That’s why it’s not uncommon to decide to lose weight, gain muscle, or improve our fitness and commit to achieving that goal by completely overhauling our lives overnight.
For instance, maybe you decide to drop those extra 20 pounds so you make a list of all the things you need to change. No more fast food, only salads and lean meat. No more spending your nights on the couch; it’s going to be 60 minutes of exercise per day at least. And on and on.
While it’s great to go after your dreams with gusto, there’s just one problem. Making huge changes often has the opposite effect. They cause you to give up long before your dream ever has the chance of becoming a reality.
That’s why you should aim for small changes instead. When you set out to make little, less noticeable adjustments to your life, you help reduce the feelings of overwhelm. This alone makes it easier on you as you set out to create positive lifestyle habits.
Speaking of habits, it’s pretty difficult to make changes stick if they’re completely different than what you’re used to doing. Taking the example of cutting out fast food and eating only salads and lean meat, if you make this change all at once, you’re probably going to feel instantly deprived and go back to your old habits within a short period of time.
However, if you aim for small changes, like reducing your fast food to just a couple times a week, then one time a week, then once every two weeks, you’ll be able to change that habit in a way that feels more natural. And you’ll learn how to create a lifestyle around the new, better habit as you go, making it more likely to stay.
What is your experience with small changes? Which ones have helped you reach your health and wellness goals? Feel free to share them below!
