Need help staying committed to your wellness journey? Here are the top tips that make it easy to eat and live healthy all year long.
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Staying committed to your wellness journey can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. One day you’re on top of your game, hitting all your goals, and the next, it seems as though your motivation has pulled a disappearing act. According to 15-time Ironman triathlete and life coach Jen Rulon, you’re far from alone in this experience! “We all have those moments of being unmotivated and undetermined.”
The key to pushing through these dips lies understanding your why and how to reignite it when it starts to fade off. And, as Jen advises, “give yourself grace if you are going through that for a day or two.” This guide aims to equip you with strategies to keep you thriving in your wellness journey, no matter the hurdles! And, with The Wellness Feed team picks of recycled, organic, and natural athleisure wear you’ll be fully equipped for your wellness journey.
Set Achievable Milestones (And Celebrate Them!)
According to one survey, most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions only after a week or two, and just 36% make it past the first month of January. But this isn’t what failure looks like – so, if this happens to you, don’t worry. Spring is a great time to find energy and resume where you left off, embracing setbacks and looking at the journey ahead with hope and determination.
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However, before taking action, you may want to make sure that your goals are achievable. “So many people make their goals complicated and try to do everything simultaneously,” Jen explains. “But it can be a tad overwhelming to people when it’s too much all at once.” Instead she suggests that you keep your wellness journey simple. “Pick three goals that you can commit to. That may be walking 10,000 steps daily, drinking 80 ounces of water daily, and staying away from social media after 8:00 p.m.”
For many, another problem is not recognizing milestones when they come around, or not celebrating progress. If you are looking to keep your motivation up, looking at your wins can help you better understand how far you’ve come, and will make the next step seem possible, achievable.
If you are struggling to visualize the milestones that are worth celebrating, use these strategies:
- Break your goal into smaller, manageable tasks.
- Set a timeline for each task.
- Use journaling or a tracker to measure improvements.
- Celebrate every small win with something that makes you happy.
Lastly, don’t forget that everyone’s milestones look different. “When I worked with many endurance athletes, they always had an end goal, such as a 5K 10k, half Ironman, or an Ironman triathlon.” Jenn says. “But now, the clientele I work with is more about living a better version of themselves. If people know the why behind their fitness and wellness… then it is a lot easier to maintain those two or three goals that you set out for yourself.”
Find Your Fitness Tribe – Or Work With a Trainer
“If you do not have a coach, then I highly recommend having a couple of fitness accountability buddies who can help you on those days that you don’t feel like going to the gym,” Jen suggests. “Because if it’s important to you, you will find a way; if it’s not, it’s an excuse.” Plus, sharing your journey with someone else can make the process more fun and enjoyable, and even nurture a new friendship.
On the other hand, the benefits of working with a personal trainer should not be overlooked!. A trainer can provide a tailored exercise program, nutritional advice, and motivational support tailored to your specific needs. It’s crucial to choose a personal trainer who aligns with your goals, vision, and values.
Where to start? Checking referrals and a personal trainer’s fitness bio can offer insights into their philosophy, methods, and client success stories, helping you make a well-informed decision.
Hack Your Habits
If you tend to procrastinate, fall for temptations, or simply don’t have a structured routine in place, it can be difficult to stay on track with your wellness journey. That’s where the power of hacking your habits comes in. From building a morning routine to making small, positive changes in your diet, sleep patterns, and exercise programs can help you start seeing more consistent results.
If you are struggling to build a routine that works for your needs, these strategies can help:
- Wake up at the same time each day to regulate your body clock.
- Begin with a glass of water to hydrate and kickstart your metabolism.
- Allocate at least 15 minutes for a physical activity you enjoy.
- Practice mindfulness or meditation to clear your mind.
- Plan your day, setting clear, achievable goals.
- Keep a journal or accountability calendar to reflect on how your day or week went
And remember, you can also capture your progress and memorable moments in a coffee table photo book to reflect on your journey visually.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others – Every Journey is Unique
It’s tempting to look at someone else’s progress and feel behind, but remember, your wellness journey is uniquely yours. This isn’t to say that others’ achievements can’t serve as motivation – but they should never be a yardstick for your success.
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Instead, focus on setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that reflect what you want from your fitness journey. This practice helps to keep your objectives realistic and personal, track your progress based on your abilities, and celebrate victories!
Leverage Tech to Track Progress
Habit Share is an app that shares habits with friends for extra motivation & accountability.
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“I ensure that all my athletes or clients have a Garmin, a Suunto watch, or a Fitbit.” Jen says. “If you don’t have a coach, there are some fantastic tools or apps out there that will track what you are doing, such as the Fitness, Apple tracker, Strava, and, of course, a good old-fashioned journal or paper or an Excel spreadsheet so you can track what you are doing every given day.”
In today’s digital age, leveraging technology to track your wellness journey can be a game-changer. Then, that information goes into the apps you use to track your progress and data. Start by selecting apps that monitor your daily activities, such as your fitness routines, calorie intake, and sleep patterns. You can also opt for wearable tech like fitness trackers or smartwatches. Many of these tools also offer personalized insights, helping you set milestones based on your progress.
Lastly, don’t forget that your wellness journey can’t be reduced to a set of numbers or notifications! “First and foremost, go back to why you do what you do. Finding a goal in life will help you later on in life.” Jen suggests. Enjoying the journey ahead and learning more about your strengths is the ultimate victory!