How do you know it’s time to make a change?

It can be easy to fall into habits and to assume that the way things are is the way they will always be. Here are four things that can inspire a health journey.

1. Do you wake up tired every day? Waking up tired every day can be a sign that something is off. If you’d like to wake and feel ready for the day, you can examine the things that can cause fatigue. The first thing to evaluate is whether you get enough sleep. Having consistent bedtimes and wake times can help carve out the time to meet this fundamental need. Next, think about your nutrition. How you fuel your body makes an impact on how you feel. Fueling your body with mostly simple sugars and carbohydrates can set up a cycle of energy followed by a crash. For a steadier release of energy, try to eat sugars that are paired with fiber (for example, a whole piece of fruit) and focus on getting adequate amounts of protein and good fat as well. Third, consider how to manage stress in your life. Taking the time to process your emotions and to clarify your own goals can help your choices align with your values. 
2. Have you fallen in love? And not just romantic love. Feeling deep connection and purpose is highly motivating. Perhaps you have found a partner, or perhaps you’ve finally landed your dream job, or started your family, or launched your business. If you’re realizing that you have something you want to bring your full self to on a daily basis, and that you want to live for a long time in order to do that thing or be with those people, you can turn that feeling into fuel for your health goals. One of the most loving things you can do is care for yourself, so that you are able show up and be present on a daily basis, and into as many futures days as you get. Caring for your body now is both a present and a future act of love. 
3. Have you or someone you’re close to had a health scare? Sometimes it takes a little fear to light the fire. If you or someone you know has had a health scare, it might be time to evaluate your priorities and decide to focus on your health. There are a handful of markers that can help guide that decision, such as blood pressure, heart rate variability, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, or waist size. A good health care practitioner can help decide what to focus on and can suggest effective strategies. Paying attention to some of those biomarkers and making changes before they become full-blown diseases such as type 2 diabetes or congestive heart failure can make a difference. 
4. Is there something you want to do? Having a goal can inspire a health journey. Do you want to pick up and hold your grandchildren, or continue working in your garden, or run a 5K, a half marathon, or a marathon? While it’s true that aging will cause changes in all of us, maintaining strength, flexibility, and a healthy heart and lungs can improve your quality of life through those changes. 

When you’ve identified that it’s time to make a change, where do you start? A simple place to start is to choose one thing you are willing to STOP doing, and one thing you are willing to START doing. You can try focusing on any of the pillars of health to work on shoring up your health foundations: sleep, hydration, nutrition, movement, or stress management.  

SLEEP

You may choose to STOP scrolling for at least an hour before bed, and to START setting a consistent bed time and wake time.

HYDRATION

You may choose to STOP drinking a soda with lunch and to START drinking two glasses of water instead. 

NUTRITION

You may choose to STOP eating a high-carb, high sugar breakfast and to START your day with protein and fiber instead, perhaps in a veggie scramble. 

MOVEMENT

You may choose to STOP sitting through your lunch break, and to START taking a ten minute walk, with a set of twenty wall pushups and twenty squats at the beginning and the end. If you have a job that requires a lot of movement, perhaps that sitting time is needed and you could choose to add some stretching to your sitting instead. 

STRESS MANAGEMENT

You may choose to STOP stuffing emotions, and to START using a journal or art practice in order to identify and express the things you are feeling, and to help clarify how you want to move forward. 

 How long does it take?

Give yourself about a month in order to build a new habit, and once that habit is established, then choose the next thing to work on. You can set your pace to whatever is motivating and reasonable for you. Some people like to choose what feels easiest to start with, and some like to choose the hardest thing to start with. 

What happens if you miss a day, or do the thing you’ve decided to stop? A missed day does not have to derail your plan. Give yourself grace, shrug it off, and start again the next day. Health is a journey for life, not a crash diet or short-cut workout. 

Motivational styles and inspiration are as varied as our lives. Some people need gentle encouragement and a focus on their worthiness, and to set small gradual goals to build on their success. Some people need more assertive coaching and larger goals in order to feel that it is worth it to put in the effort. Your goals, current health condition, and the circumstances of your life make you the best person to decide how to approach change, but support and knowledge can be crucial to any process.  At TruBalance, our weight loss experts offer one-on-one support and can help you navigate any special circumstances. The Lifestyle Mastery Monthly Membership community can offer social support, knowledge, tips, and recipes. It is our passion to inspire, equip, and educate you to pursue a life full of vitality and energy.