You often hear that starting something new can be the toughest part of the journey. For example, a healthy habit for 2020 can be to quit smoking, quit frivolous spending, or quit sugary sweets.
I disagree. in fact, I believe it’s EASY to start. Making the decision is easy, starting to make the change is easy, maintaining the change is HARD. That, to me, is the toughest part of the journey.
Here was the challenge....
My first blog post this year posed to a challenge to my readers:
Here’s my 2020 challenge to you: In 21 days, I want you to email me (info@jetphysio.com) what good habit you formed in the month of January. Just one! Feel free to write me a short note of what you plan on doing also. I want to be able to congratulate you in 21 days, and encourage you to keep up the good work. 2020 is YOUR year!
If you’ve started on your healthy habit change for 2020, please send me an email about it. I just want to say “Great job!” and help keep you accountable with it! As mentioned, I believe the toughest part of the journey is sticking with it. As a result, I’ve found that accountability is often times the missing link.
Check out my friend/former client here…
Without mentioning her name, I have been in contact with a former patient who mentioned she signed up for the Bay to Breakers Race in 2020. She’s been busy keeping up with her toddler twins, and found it tough to stay fit. Subsequently, she’s been feeling more and more out-of-shape.
She made the decision to sign up for this 12K race, and was excited to share the news with me. She wasn’t even looking for my advice, but was simply sharing this news with me.
But check out her text she sent to me on New Years…
If left to our own mind, we can easily convince ourselves not to quit our healthy habit changes, or stop early. Having someone to hold you accountable is such a powerful tool. I’ll keep ‘annoying’ her until she’s confident for her race date on May 31, 2020. That’s why I encourage you to share your goals and healthy habit changes with me, your friends, and your loved ones. They will inadvertently serve as accountability partners in helping you start your year off right.
Stuck on where to start?
Now I realize that following through with a commitment or challenge can be easily stopped by lack of direction. Where do you begin?
DIET
Goal: Strong Heart!
Habit: Make a promise to yourself to include a superfood into your daily diet for heart health. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday you are having a berry smoothie. Again, keep those medical bills down!
EXERCISE
Goal: Strong Muscles!
Habit: Read this blog every Wednesday for new exercises. Don’t skip it when you see the updates in your email! A lot of exercise content is coming to this year. If you aren’t signed up already, make sure you add yourself to my email list below!
STRESS
Goal: Good Mood!
Habit: Spend 10 minutes everyday to put aside work stressors and do mindfulness meditation. Refer to this article on how to get started.
Nothing is more satisfying that following through your commitments, especially when it was YOU that made the decision to start it. Stick with it, and you’ll be immensely satisfied in the both the journey and the outcomes!