What Does It Take To Motivate?
So what does it take to get started on your health goals?
What’s that FIRST step?
We know you feel ready. You want to be healthy. You want to look and feel your best. But it still feels HARD.
Maybe you’re blaming yourself for lack of motivation, or maybe you’re avoiding taking action because it feels overwhelming and you already have enough other areas of your life competing for your attention.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS; getting healthy & living your best life is not only possible, but once you get momentum on your goals, you’ll have the energy and excitement that will help you manage all of those other areas of life with ease.
Here, we'll go over some tips and tricks to help you get started on your health journey:
Always Remember to Challenge Limiting Beliefs
If you've been struggling to get started on your health goals, it may be time to challenge some limiting beliefs. Ask yourself why you think you can't achieve your goals, and who benefits from that thought. Perhaps you think you don't have enough time or energy, or that you're not capable of making a real change. But remember, these are just beliefs, and they can be challenged. Reframe those negative thoughts into positive ones and focus on the benefits of achieving your goals.
Our Routine for Optimal Health
One of the keys to achieving your health goals is to establish a routine that works for you. Here's a glimpse into our daily routine:
Morning: Sunlight, meditation, and movement. We aim to get up when the sun comes up and spend at least 15 minutes outside focusing on what we’re grateful for while taking a short walk. This doesn’t have to be your exercise for the day - but it’s a great way to start the day with focus (+ bonus: sunlight, gratitude, and movement boost serotonin levels, so you’ll start off you day in an optimistic and positive state of mind). Next: coffee.
Noon: We take a break from work to hit the gym or go for a swim or a jog. Then within 30 minutes, we break our fast with a high-protein, moderate-fat meal to help fuel us for a productive afternoon.
Evening: We end our days with a second high-protein, low-fat meal with a few veggies thrown in (+ magnesium for great sleep). We put our laptops away and either talk or share music until bed.
Having this routine helps us fit in the things that make us feel our best: sunlight, meditation, movement, good food, and good company. It helps us take on the day, while still accomplishing the to-do’s we need to tackle.
Some Advice
When you're feeling unmotivated, it's always helpful to seek advice from someone you trust. As Dr. Mark Hyman says, "Small steps lead to big changes." This means that you don't have to completely overhaul your lifestyle in one day. Start with small changes, like drinking more water or going for a short walk each day. These small changes will add up over time and help you reach your health goals.
On Discipline and Consistency
To achieve your health goals, you need to have discipline and consistency. This means making a commitment to your health and sticking to it, even when it's hard. (This is where having a routine comes in.) But it also means being kind to yourself when you slip up and getting back on track as soon as possible.
How To Gain Discipline and Consistency:
Step 1: Identify your why. Spend 10 minutes journaling about what you want to accomplish and why.
Step 2: Set realistic goals that align with your why.
Step 3: Create a plan based on action steps and stick to it. This could mean scheduling time for meal prep or setting aside time for exercise each day.
Wrapping it up!
Remember, achieving your health goals is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, effort, and consistency. But with the right mindset and tools, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Start small, stay consistent, and never give up. You've got this!