The Top Reasons People Fail To Get Healthy
For several years now, I’ve been working on getting better about my health. If anyone knows their way around an excuse to workout- it’s typically been me. When I started to get serious about my health, I found that I originally experienced the typical setbacks everyone faces and it usually meant that I experienced a few false starts.
After a few years of falling off the wagon and getting back on, I’ve recognized a few typical themes that seem to hang most of us up. If you’re working on getting healthy this year- you may have the perfect workout routine and training plan scheduled, but without the proper steps, you could encounter a setback. I hope these tips are helpful for you!
1. Lack of Sleep & Rest
There are things we cannot control, when it comes to our sleep- busy schedules, stress at work, long days. But, what we can control is ensuring we set aside time for sleep and making it as much of a priority as healthy eating and exercise. While most of us focus on exercise routines, running miles or lifting weights, part of a healthy routine needs to include time for rest.
If you can schedule in time for sleep (please do, it’s usually the first thing to suffer with busy schedule) make sure it’s quality time. Turn off your phone and tablet and slowly ease into “off” mode by giving your brain a rest. Mood lighting, limiting distractions & setting aside time to wind down is key. As good as it is to hit the gym, you have to set aside extra time to hit the hay!
2. Poor Food Planning
Food. It’s important. Really important. Usually the worst form of sabotage is not packing healthy snacks and waiting until we’re famished in between meals and reach for something not so great. Healthy snacks can be batched- take one day to cut up veggies and pack them in resusable containers, for frugal, healthy options that will save you a few bucks a week from running to the vending machine, and you won’t undo your workouts when you pack smart!
I’m a big fan of cutting up carrots, bell peppers and tomatoes to use with hummus in Pyrex containers on Sunday to use throughout the week. Whenever I forget snacks, I usually end up wasting money or getting hangry. Knowing this I’m trying to do better and save money and calories by packing smart and planing ahead.
3. Fail To Plan? Plan To Fail
Mint Workout Hoodie / Puma Carson Running Shoes / Fitbit / Gaiam Yoga Towel
Why do some folks fail to get healthy? They hope they have the willpower to overcome years of bad habits and really powerful excuses that keep them from changing. Truth is, we don’t have enough willpower to change habits cold turkey. I’m a reforming couch potato, and it’s always a work in progress. I know myself well enough to know that if I don’t make time to work out and set myself up for success, exercise will always be an afterthought and it will never happen.
Having workout clothes you feel confident in is one thing (I noticed showing up to yoga in nasty old sweatpants was a total mood killer), but the key to success is- ahem, packing the stuff you bought. Do not underestimate the power of putting exercise time on your calendar, but be really smart about it and set a phone reminder and pack your gym bag or put your running shoes by the door before you go to bed the night before.
Plan for the fact you’ll want to fall off the wagon (we all do). Plan that you’re going to be busy (we all are). Plan for your excuses (we all got ‘em), and then pack your bag and get ready.
No matter where you’re at on your journey, and no matter what fitness plan you go by- supporting your exercise habits with the proper rest, nutrition and gear is key to continued success! Wishing you the best in your journey, and go get ‘em tiger!
This year, I will be partnering with Kohl’s on my journey to live a happier, healthier life! Join me as we explore fitness and wellness together and#MakeYourMove for healthier beginnings in 2015!
Follow the Kohl’s #MakeYourMove campaign on social media, Facebook & Twitter to see how others are tracking their goals and making healthier choices together this year. Join us for a healthy new year together.
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Kohl’s.
