Admitting you’ve lost control over any aspect of your life is hard to do. Admitting that you need to change is equally as hard. Let’s face it, it’s really easy to let things spiral out of control, and lead you right back down that unhealthy path. Maybe it’s the familiarity, or maybe it’s the convenience. Or maybe it’s simply that it requires less energy, less effort, and less time to be unhealthy in this world. While all of these things are true, at some point, we want to regain the control in our lives. We want to return, or commit to a healthy lifestyle. Because at the end of the day, the unhealthy lifestyle that may require less effort, less energy, and less time, ultimately leaves us feeling less energized, less motivated, and unhappy. Here are 10 tips to regain control over your unhealthy lifestyle.
1: Admit that you need to regain control
Admission is the first step. Take an honest look at where you are, and decide where you would like to be. If you can be conscious of where you are, you can determine what lead you there in the first place. Falling off track happens to the best of us, and there’s no need to beat yourself up about it. Shake it off and get back on track.
2: Establish Accountability
Most people struggle with holding themselves accountable, and doing this honestly. Establish a system where you are held accountable for both your healthy and unhealthy choices. Have weekly check ins with a friend or family member, find a activity buddy, or share your fitness and lifestyle progress on social media.
3: Track your progress
Whether you keep an activity log or a meal log, establish a way to track your progress. When you have no reference for how far you have come, there is no way to measure progress. Keeping a log ensures that in moments of doubt, or defeat, you can look at this log and see how far you have come. There will be times when you think that you’ve made no progress, and you will feel defeated. Having a log ensures you can look back and see exactly where you started, and how far you have come.
4: Be more mindful
Being more mindful means that you are more in-tune with yourself and your actions. Being more aware of the decisions that we make in day-to-day life will mean that there is less chance for autopilot choices that may be undermining our healthy living goal.
5: Set small goals
We are designed as a species to seek purpose. If we have no goal, or no purpose, we have no motivation. Especially in the beginning, setting small, achievable goals can create motivation, and a sense of accomplishment. Learn more about setting goals in the post Need to Set Achievable Life Goals? This Will Help!
6: Put your health first
This is much easier said than done, but when you put yourself and your health first, you’re not only doing yourself a favor, you’re also doing those around you a favor. Like it or not, you’re a role model for other people around you, and when you don’t take your health seriously, that tells them that they shouldn’t either. You are important. When you put yourself and your health first, that demonstrates that you recognize your importance. Have trouble putting yourself first? Check out some tips in 3 Reasons You Should Be First In Life: 4 Tips On How To Make You A Priority.
7: Take a relationship inventory
Like it or not, there is truth in the saying that you become like the five people you spend the most time with. This can be a great thing if you are spending your time with people who have your best interest at heart, but if you don’t, some relationships can be hazardous to your health. Make a mental note of the people you spend the most time with and ask yourself: how do they make me feel? Do I feel supported by these people? Do I feel like I can trust and count on these people? If you find you spend time with someone who pulls you down, it might be time to reevaluate how much you allow him or her to influence your life.
8: Stop making and accepting excuses
Even the most motivated individuals can easily come up with 10 reasons why they shouldn’t go to the gym on any particular day. We all have “reasons” for making poor life choices or unhealthy decisions. Next time you make an excuse, take a step back to evaluate the consequences of this decision. Stand firm and address a friend that ignores or enables unhealthy behavior. A big part of this falls under the cloak of accountability. Hold yourself accountable, as well as those around you. Learn to recognize when you’re giving an excuse or hearing one, and challenge it.
9: Do your best
You know the feeling you get when you have done something to the very best of your ability. It feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Now, apply this concept to your whole life. Start doing everything you do to the very best of your ability. Consciously decide to give whatever it is you are doing your full attention. Don’t rush through a project, take your time and get it done properly. Others will notice your attention to detail and admire your ability to focus. When you give everything a whole-hearted effort, there isn’t much you can feel poorly about.
10: Give yourself credit
Let’s face it, we are often our harshest critics, and can be quick to put ourselves down. But the reality of it is that admitting that you need to regain control and get back on the healthy living track puts you ten steps in front of so many others out there. You’re not perfect, none of us are. So, although you may not always make the best healthy living choices, you do make some, and that’s something to be proud of. Learn to be happy when you make a healthy lifestyle choice, and recognize and learn from the times that you don’t.
Remember…
“Life is meant to be embraced, enjoyed and fully lived, not merely endured!”
If you’ve enjoyed the message of this post and are ready to kick start your lifestyle towards healthier living that can be sustained then please check out…
Beginning with a degree in exercise science and kinesiology, Brent Haydey has evolved over thirty years as an entrepreneur; building four businesses, and as a health, executive, and life coach.