How To Stick To Your New Year’s Health Goals
The start of the new year is a great time to reflect on old habits and begin setting new goals and intentions for yourself. With a fresh start ahead, many people are motivated to focus on better health. From losing a certain amount of weight to starting a new diet, health is always at the top of everyone’s list.
At South Coast Medical Group, we love to help our community of patients during this journey. Our medical professionals help create plans and set goals to achieve based on age and current lifestyle. If you would like personal guidance on how you can tackle your health goals this year, come into our office. We are open every day of the week and no appointment is needed.
While creating these goals is a great idea, the problem is that these goals tend to get forgotten about a few months later. The post-holiday slump sets in and busy schedules make it difficult to find the time and motivation to keep going. But, achieving these goals is possible. Creating positive habits takes time and proper planning.
Use these steps to truly commit to your health goals this year:
Set Clear Steps
When you have a goal in mind, getting started can be the hardest part. With so many ambitions and dreams, it can be hard to pinpoint how to handle it all. Many people find it easier to stick to a single goal. This allows for you to find clarity and simplify your action plan. If you have multiple health goals in mind or one large goal, break it down. Make your goals straightforward, reasonable, and rewarding. You should be able to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, how you can go about doing so, and what the end result will be.
Be Realistic
When you are establishing your goals, it is important to choose something that really matters to you and will have a positive impact in your life. Change one behavior at a time by setting a realistic goal. While you should always set goals that will challenge you, it’s important to take a realistic approach. Too easy and you won’t feel a true sense of accomplishment. Too difficult and you set yourself up for failure.
Be Patient
A big goal can be challenging to face when your goal is far away. When you have long-term goals in mind, it’s essential to acknowledge your successes along the way. No matter how small it seems, every step towards your goal is one worth recognizing. Throwing in the towel can be easy when you encounter setbacks because you are focused on the end goal, but remember that achieving your “big picture” goals take time.
Share It With Others
One of the most effective ways to stay motivated is through support. Share your goals with loved ones who will encourage you throughout your journey. Sharing your goals will not only hold you more accountable, it will also fill a need for social connection. When you have someone to root for you along the way, your process has more meaning.
Making a promise to transform your lifestyle in a healthy manner is not an overnight job. Each step of the way requires determination and focus. If you are working towards a health goal and are seeking more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
