It's tempting to jump on the bandwagon of detoxes, cleanses, and quick fixes to achieve our health and fitness goals. But let's talk about the unsexy truth that rarely gets the spotlight on social media – the real secret to a healthier, happier you lies in the basic, boring, and consistent things we do over the long haul.

The Unfiltered Reality

We get it – scrolling through Instagram, you see promises of rapid transformations, hacks, and shortcuts. But here's the reality check: there's no magic pill, cleanse, or supplement that beats good old-fashioned consistency.

The Fundamentals Work

Sleep, exercise, nutrition, social connection – these aren't flashy or trending topics, but they are the bedrock of well-being. No amount of quick fixes can replace the benefits of doing the basics consistently over time.

No Shortcut to Success

Whether it's improving your health, mental well-being, or mastering a new skill, there's no shortcut. The mundane, day-in, day-out efforts are the ones that will get you 99.99% of the way there.

Why a New Year, New Week, New Start to the Day Helps!

I used to roll my eyes at the cliché of New Year's resolutions – they seemed like a forced attempt at change. However, over time, I've come to realize the power that the beginning of a new year holds. Just like the start of a new month, week, or day, setting a specific start date can significantly boost your chances of success. The key is that both the start date and the goal need to be personally meaningful.

So, if you're serious about making any changes this year, here are some tips:

1. Schedule It In

Integrate your goals INTO your daily life. Acknowledge the ebb and flow of your schedule; if Monday is packed with commitments, be flexible and avoid setting your new goal for that day. The key is to align your ambitions with your daily reality. On the flipside, scheduling in your goals helps to keep you on track for the days that you lack motivation (which you will, OFTEN). Putting it visibly into your schedule also helps to see it as a non-negotiable part of your routine.

2. Realistic resilience

Anticipate obstacles and road blocks. When you think about your goal or change you want to make - what do you think will get in your way? You've decided you want to move more, but life is full of curveballs. What if you're just not feeling it one day? Or your to-do list is longer than the Great Wall? What about the pouring rain when you planned on getting outside more often?

Let's also kick that all-or-nothing thinking out the door. You miss a workout or have a bad day – it happens. But guess what? Doing something, no matter how small, is almost always better than doing nothing at all. So, start small, expect hiccups, and when they come, just keep pushing forward. Progress, not perfection!

3. Start Small and Stay Consistent

The secret is not to make your resolutions impossible and risk giving up. Instead, opt for a small and realistic starting point. Achieving these initial milestones will boost your confidence and make tracking larger goals more feasible over the long haul. Begin with something you can consistently do, THEN add. If your goal is to start exercising and you don’t exercise at all right now, it would be super unrealistic to say you will exercise every single day, and it literally sets you up for failure. Lower the bar so that you can achieve your goal CONSISTENTLY.

4. Just Start and Commit to the Long Game

The hardest part is often taking the first step. Begin with manageable tasks, repeat them, build momentum, and trust in your ability to show up consistently. Remember, success is a marathon, not a sprint. So, let's embrace the basics, be patient, and enjoy the journey.

5. Get Support

Get your people on board – you've heard it a million times, but support matters. As much as we'd like to believe we can go it alone, the people we hang out with significantly impact the success of our resolutions and goals. Communicate your goals to your inner circle and ask for their support; having a network cheering you on can be a game-changer. AND as always consider hiring someone to guide you.

6. Make it meaningful and Believe in it

Making any behaviour change stick is all about giving them some real meaning and genuine belief you've got what it takes to make a change. Whatever your goal is don’t forget to ask yourself why you want to make that change. The meaning is what keeps you going when the initial motivation wears off.

You got this!

Need help prioritizing your health goals and wonder how a ND might help? Book a free meet and greet here and let’s make it happen!