1. Decide the Type of Person You Want to Be
When it comes to achieving goals and building new habits, relying on feeling motivated can be very short lived. However, deciding the identity of who you want to be and proving it to yourself each day can be a much more sustainable approach. Especially in the beginning if you don’t see major results right away and feel demotivated.
Example: "I want to lose 20 lbs"
Identity Statements:
I am the type of person who fuels their body with whole foods.
I am the type of person who never misses a workout.
I am the type of person who cooks meals at home.
I am the type of person who prioritizes their health.
I am an athlete. I am a healthy person. I am a yogi. I am a meditator.
Let the win be you showing up and acting in alignment with these identity statements, versus the win being dependent on a result (losing 20 lbs). Because what happens when the scale goes up or you don’t see inches falling off right away? Motivation goes down the toilet and many people say “screw this” and quit.
In moments of resistance, ask yourself, “What would the type of person who never misses a workout do?” “What would an athlete do?” More on Habits and Identity: Read Atomic Habits by James Clear
2. Visualization or Mental Rehearsal:
This may sound a little woo-woo, but seeing yourself reach your goals, and imagining what it feels like, is a powerful step to make them a reality. When we visualize achieving our goals, it gets us excited and energized to take aligned action towards them.
If we are feeling bloated, fat, and gross, and try to go after our health goals from a place of self-loathing and self-doubt, we either don’t start because it’s too overwhelming or doesn't feel possible, or the second we are met with resistance, we revert back to old habits.
However, when we are in the energy of having the health, weight, or body we desire, and trusting 100% that it is on its way, we are motivated to stay the course, and feeling excited along the way.
Visualize yourself as future you having what you set out to achieve. Feel how it feels in your body and all of the positive things that come from it. Imagine putting on your jeans, lifting the heavy weight, etc. Allow that energy to fill you up and take inspired action. Do this as often as possible. Live in this energy.
3. Daily Reminders
I struggled most of my life with sugar addiction. One of the biggest factors in breaking that addiction and transforming my health was keeping my Why’s at the forefront of my mind. I watched countless hours of lectures on sugar, listened to podcasts, set affirmations on my phone throughout the day, etc. It can be easy to lose sight of our why, especially on hard days. To stay consistent, it is essential to have your goals at the forefront of your mind each day.
Take time to set reminders on your phone throughout
the day, do a visualization in the morning, listen to podcasts or follow health/fitness people that inspire you.
4. Exhaust your excuses
Valid excuses are bound to come up to keep you in your comfort zone. Be pro-active. Identify your typical excuses ahead of time and take action to minimize any roadblocks and set yourself up for success.
Ask yourself, “what excuses have derailed me in the past?” What would I want to see myself do in those moments instead? (Mentally Rehearse the desired behavior.)
Example:
“I eat really well, but Friday Nights I go off the rails.”
What would you want to see from yourself on Friday night instead?
“I would want to see myself eating healthier food and not
drinking beer and eat unhealthy take-out.”
Why do you go off the rails on Fridays?
“I don’t feel like cooking, I just want to relax.”
How can you set yourself up for success Friday nights?
I can get healthier take out options to have readily available like Snap Kitchen
I can set a reminder at 6PM Friday night to connect with my why & repeat my identity statement. “I am someone who fuels my body healthy food consistently for optimal performance.”
I can take a hot bath and read a book instead.
I can get an accountability buddy or coach who will check in with me Friday night/Saturday
If you are ready to transform your health and relationship with food, get the right guidance, support and accountability to show up for yourself this year.
You are worth showing up for. You are worth being a priority in your life.
Set up a free consultation at calendly.com/mindfulbellie
Comments