You know how sometimes you wake up in the morning, and the prospect of heading to work fills you with dread and you secretly wish for a mild apocalypse so you have any excuse to stay in bed?
Yet, you get up anyway and go to work. Your logic kicks in and you know you have to go or there will be consequences. You don't sit and debate about it for too long, because you know you don't really have a choice. And when you get there, you may feel tired and unmotivated, but you know you still have to do your job. So, even if not with the enthusiasm and vigor your boss may prefer...you go through the motions.
This same method can be applied to making healthy lifestyle choices. Sure, there are days when you are motivated to eat well and have tons of energy to burn during your workout. But, unless you're some kind of robot, there will likely be many more days when you are tired and unmotivated and dreading that healthy salad or the workout you know you need. These are the days when you need to go through the motions.
I know I have posted along a similar vein before, but I think it bears repeating. The euphoria and enthusiasm that came along with committing to a healthier lifestyle will eventually fade. There has to be something else waiting in the wings that will kick in and help you stay on track even when you're tired and busy and unmotivated.
This is where habit comes in--there are plenty of things you do every day without even thinking, because they're part of your routine. Just like you don't debate about whether you feel like brushing your teeth today, you should make your healthy lifestyle choices like exercise and eating properly part of your daily habits.
How do you do this? Try these 4 simple steps:
1. Have a plan. Don't wait until 11:30 when your stomach is growling to start thinking about what you're going to have for lunch. Plan your meals the night before, and pack your lunch as soon as you wake up in the morning. You will be surprised how much this little change simplifies your life (and saves you money!). Plan and shop for your meals ahead of time, and you won't be leaving anything to chance.
2. Schedule your exercise for the week. Plan your longer workouts on days when you know you'll have a little extra time, and schedule rest days or short workouts on days when you will be very rushed. Once you've made your schedule, stick to it. Don't think about it...just do it.
3. Start your day with a large glass of water. Just the ritual of this easy task will start your day off on the right foot, and remind you to tend to your health throughout the day.
4. Become a creature of habit. Nothing is more stressful for me than having to figure out what I'm going to eat every day. So I have the same 2 or 3 things for breakfast and lunch every single day, and I don't have to think about it (I get a little more creative with dinner). Identify a few easy and healthy meals that you enjoy, and eat them all the time.
