Your playlist is ready, workout clothes washed, and you’re geared up to get your sweat on Monday through Friday. You’ve sworn off the candy jar, happy hour, and the seemingly endless array of celebratory foods that magically arrive at the office. This week is going to be different! Right?
If you start the week with good intentions only to find yourself giving up by Wednesday and affirming you’ll start back Monday, it’s time to take a fresh approach.
Setting ridged goals and attempting a drastic change can backfire, actually leaving you worse off! Instead, follow these three steps to make this week healthier and happier:
- Begin by listing your common pitfalls. Whether it’s hitting the drive-thru because you didn’t take time to go to the grocery store, or staying up too late to make it to work out, you likely know where you fall of track. Pick one of those items and commit to changing it half of the time. This way you know you have some flexibility and will still be working toward your goals without expecting perfection.
- Workout for at least 20 minutes. Something is better than nothing and you are more likely to commit to 20 minutes of focused exercise than overwhelming yourself with an all-or-nothing sixty-minute sweat session. Whether it’s going to the gym, a video at home, a walk outside, or a combination of bodyweight exercises in your living room, anything goes! Simply being consistent will not only help you burn calories, but also foster a positive attitude for a happier day and increased motivation for making healthy eating choices.
- Schedule a breather to slow down and focus. Just a few minutes is all you need to sit in solidarity, close your eyes, breathe, and re-group. Keeping your goals in mind and taking short breaks for yourself is a healthy habit that propels healthy decisions.
Author:
Sarah Mattison Berndt, MS, RD, CD
Owner Fit Fresh Cuisine & Hybrid Athletic Club
www.fitfreshcuisine.com
www.hybridathleticclub.com