21 Feb How to Keep Your Health Resolutions (When Most Fail by Now)
According to some stats up to 80% of you with “new year, new me” diet and fitness resolutions will already be feeling the pain of regret and failure by February (so, now – basically). Diet and fitness plans fail for many reasons, but how can you make sure you’re not stuck with a membership you don’t use and downloaded recipes you’ll never make? We give you some tips for making a U-turn back onto your health and wellness journey if you’ve hit a bump in the road.
Prioritize Self-Care
You read articles about self-care that involve things like meditation, regular doctor’s visits, therapy, and of course a nice long bath to unwind. Try to shift your thinking and consider that your fitness and diet are also forms of self-care. Make the time you set aside for workouts time you don’t allow interruptions or distractions.
Get Rid of Road Blocks
Plenty of people decide to remain sedentary because they have movement problems which limit physical activity and/or exercise. If you’re one of them, don’t let your mobility/movement issues keep you glued to your favorite seat. Get rid of road blocks to health by addressing any movement problems with a physical therapist. A physical therapist will assess your movement and create a comprehensive exercise plan to address any limitations, weak areas, movement issues, and more. Your PT will also show you what kind of exercise you can do, and work with you to find the best way to stay active and get healthier.
Don’t Play the Shame Game
It’s easy to fall off the fitness wagon and chalk it up to another failure to get in shape, and go back to your old routine. You only fail if you give up, not if you keep going after a setback. Realizing you’re human and that you’ll have sick days, slow days, or days that you order the unhealthy dessert is part of it. Kicking yourself doesn’t add motivation – but success will. If you fail Monday, try Tuesday, if you fail an entire week, try the following week. You’ll gain empowerment instead of shame and stay motivated to keep going.
Set Realistic Goals
Some of the world’s best athletes still set humble goals, knowing that to shoot beyond their current abilities may only bring frustration. Instead, try setting short-term and long-term goals. Work within your current ability level and once you see progress, set your goal a little further out. By setting realistic goals you can see progress and keep moving forward.
Enlist Help
The most successful teams tend to work pretty well together, and they’re also a team. Sure, you can do a lot of things solo, by why not enlist family and friends to help you reach your fitness goals? If you’re trying to lose weight, maybe challenge a friend who has the same goals to work out with you and keep you both accountable. If your spouse or partner buys the groceries, ask him/her to pick up food from your list to go with your new healthier eating (and maybe skip buying junk food you can’t resist). If a healthier diet is your resolution, ask a friend or family member to take a cooking class with you to help you learn how to cook more nutritious food at home.
Are you ready to keep your resolution or to reach your fitness goals? Body One Physical Therapy is here for you. We have a talented team of caring, expert physical therapists who work with clients of all ages and activity levels. If you’re tired of sitting it out, call us today. We’re locally owned and operated, with four locations serving Central Indiana: North Indianapolis, South Indianapolis, Fishers, and Zionsville. Don’t wait to enjoy your life, let Body One help get you started in the right direction!
