Ok, let’s get right into it.
If you are reading this, I’m assuming you already know all the fantastic benefits of building healthy habits; like having more energy, a better mood, improving your memory, sleeping better, reducing cancer risk, etc.
Few people understand that the problem is not starting; it’s building healthy habits over the long run. The goal is to get to a point where you don’t have to think about them, where they are part of your day-to-day life, and you live happily ever after.
Now, grit, determination and willpower are not enough. They are great when you are starting, but it’s not sustainable over the long run.
3 Unique Ways to Build Healthy Habits in 2022
1. Process vs Results/Goals
Let’s start with some examples.
A results goal is, for example, losing 10 pounds or wanting to run a 5k.
On the other hand, a process goal focuses on daily actions. For example, walking 30 minutes every day or having some veggies for breakfast.
When you focus on process goals, you just need to do one little thing at a time, and you have daily wins that help you stay motivated. And on top of that, you can achieve some incredible results goals by following the process.
2. Partners and Accountability
When you make a public commitment about your new healthy habits and have partners with the same goals and habits as you, it’s way easier to stay committed to them.
Let me give you a personal example. Where I live, we constantly see -30°C temperatures in winter, and getting out the door to run is a constant mental battle. But I know my running group will be running no matter what on Thursday afternoons. Believe me when I say that this last winter, I did not miss a single running session.
3. A Worthy Reward
At the end of the day, if you don’t have a reward for your effort in building healthy habits, there will come the point where your motivation will start to fade.
And yes, having more energy and losing some pounds can be a reward by itself. But when you add an additional reward, an external motivator, your chances of succeeding improve dramatically; it gives you another reason to keep going when things start to go south.
The Big Canada Run is Here for you!
The Big Canada Run is a virtual team challenge to run or walk across Canada, where you travel along the Trans-Canada Highway and visit more than 25 Canadian cities.
Participating in The Big Canada Run helps achieve these three ways (of building healthy habits) in one amazing challenge.
You also become part of a fantastic community of people committed to being healthy and active; the stories and partnership of the community will motivate you to get out the door every day, rain, snow or shine.
And you get the most beautiful Canadian-themed medal and swag to reward your accomplishment.
Now, let me give you one more push to start your healthy habits journey, $5 off your registration when you use the code TAKE5 at checkout.
Happy running,
Dr. Amy Harrington