Habit's over Motivation!
Its easy at first, while we are still excited, to jump on the bandwagon of goal getting. But what do we do a few days or weeks later once the excitement and motivation is gone? We fall back onto our usual day to day habits and let our goals fall by the waist-side. Does it mean that we didn't really want to accomplish those goals? Of course not. It doesn't mean we didn't want them. It just means we went about it the wrong way.
Too often (and I am guilty of this too) we try to change too much too quickly, we get overwhelmed, and none of the changes stick. Especially when it comes to changes meant to help us become healthier versions of ourselves. So then the question becomes, what to we do? Make small changes. Stop trying to eat the proverbial elephant in one bite. So here are my top 3 suggestions on small things you can incorporate into your life now to help along the way.
Leave a bottle of water by the bed.
I know I'm not the first person to suggest this, and I won't be the last. But it does make a difference. If it's in easy reach when you first wake up, you don't have to really think about it. Just grab and go. This sets you up to include more water in your day. And hydration is key to feeling better throughout your day.
Do 10 minutes of some kind of activity before you start your day
Yeah, yeah... 10 minutes... it's not a lot. But even doing just ten minutes of some type of activity in the morning can help you be more awake and alert to deal with your day. It helps create a habit that you can expand on later. Even just ten minutes can help you get one step c
loser to reaching your fitness goals. So whether its a few pushups, pull-ups, or quick kettlebell workout, a jog in the neighborhood, or playing a sport, give it a try.
Turn down the temperature in your home 2 degrees two hours before bed
I'll be honest. I didn't come up with this. I found this little treasure on TickTok. I would give credit too if I knew who I got this from. But it definitely works. By dropping the temperature before bed, it essentially lets the body know, its getting late, time to wind down. But then you still have to actually start to wind down. Get a cup of tea, read a book, or whatever else you find relaxing and comforting. Sleep is important, and restful sleep is a requirement to feeling well throughout our day.
These aren't BIG changes, or any kind of secret weapon to fitness. It a way of creating habits that you can fall back on when motivation is gone. Motivation is never a forever thing, but habits are.
