It’s the time of the year again: People everywhere are making resolutions left and right. And getting healthy usually tops the list of goals people set in the new year.
The sad thing is that many are setting themselves up for failure.
I know because I’ve been there–too many times to count.
I’m an all-or-nothing person. When I set my mind to accomplish something, I can usually make it happen–even if it drives me crazy in the process.
But the problem is that when I dive headfirst into something and don’t take baby steps, I’m doing myself a disservice.
Here is why I think that baby steps to health matter:
1. There is no one-step system to creating a healthier lifestyle.
“Getting healthy” encompasses so much.
From drinking more water to exercising to eating a more balanced diet (with real, whole foods, no less) entails a lot on its own, not to mention other steps to healthy living, like eliminating toxins in your skincare and make-up routines, cleaning supplies, kitchen products and the list can go on and on!
Just thinking of all that getting healthy can entail is a recipe for overwhelm!
To create an environment for success, it’s vital to take each of these areas of healthy living one baby step at a time.
2. Doing everything at once is a recipe for burnout.
I’ve been there, done that.
And it’s honestly my natural leaning to try to do it all at once, but I’m learning that when I do that, it doesn’t help anyone. Instead, I end up incredibly burned out and no better off than when I started.
This past summer, I decided to start waking up at 5:30 a.m., working out intensely and do the Whole 30 all at once.
And it was OK–at first. I felt great, but I’m embarrassed to say that as soon as the school year started, these goals started to fizzle.
I was simply burning out.
3. You’ll give up.
What happens once you’re burned out? You quit. And sometimes you go beyond quitting and take on even worse habits than when you began.
For example: In October of this year, I finally began to follow through with Trim Healthy Mama for the first time since I bought the book (almost two years ago!). Before, I had always dabbled and given up within a few days.
The result?
I lost about 10 pounds in a month!
It was clear that my metabolism was speeding up, and I felt healthier than I had in a really long time.
But then I got busier. And the holidays hit. Not only did I go off of the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan, but I also began to eat worse than before I even began!
Although I stuck to eating gluten-free (I think I might be gluten-free for life!), I ate lots of sugary foods, and I gained back most of the 10 pounds (maybe even more…but I’m afraid to get back on the scale!).
And it’s all because I got overwhelmed and gave up.
Eva
What are your baby steps? Do you have monthly or weekly or daily goals?
Erin
Eva, right now I’m focusing on flossing every night and shutting down the computer by 9 p.m.! It’s different each month, but I’m focusing on building one small habit at a time!
Sarah Ann
I am a HUGE fan of baby steps in all aspects of life, especially in health. Change can be overwhelming and paralyzing, when you concentrate on how to get from point A to point B. Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder that slow progress is still progress. I’ll be sharing this today!