A lifestyle change is for life, not just for January

When you make a lifestyle change, whether it’s diet or fitness-related, the first couple of weeks are always the hardest. As the motivation that comes with a brand-new year starts to wear off, we’re sure most of you will agree.

Let’s take a look at some healthy ways to maintain a lifestyle change beyond the first couple of weeks of the new year:

Don’t set yourself up for failure

Cutting out carbs? That’s fine. Signing up to the gym? Great! But don’t try to do too much at once. Restricting yourself from foods you enjoy and pushing yourself to the extreme may get you the quick results you want but maintaining a restrictive lifestyle over time is near impossible.

If you’re craving a bar of chocolate, enjoy one. If you’re feeling burnt out, skip the workout and have an early night. The trick is to keep your focus and get back on it as soon as you can.

Create healthy habits

The secret to success? Drink lots of water, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Pick up these three healthy habits and your body will reward you with more energy and more motivation to do the things that make you feel good.

Not to mention, your risk of developing a whole range of illnesses will drastically reduce. It’s really that simple!

Educate yourself on mindfulness

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, educate yourself in the art of mindfulness. Sometimes you just need to take a step back from the chaos of everyday life and check in with your mental health.

Just like the body, the mind needs exercise too. Focus on one thing at a time; it could be mindful eating, breathing or even just observing your surroundings.

Don’t know where to start? We’re huge advocates of mindfulness here at iMotion, running classes like Yoga and Pilates, which are said to improve mindfulness both inside and outside of the gym. If you needed a sign to book on, this is it.

Be realistic, consistent and patient

If you’re out of breath after a 2-minute sprint but you’ve signed up to run a marathon next month, we’ve got some bad news for you buddy. You know that old saying, Rome wasn’t built in a day? Your body is Rome and patience is key with any lifestyle change.

To stay on track in the long term, split your overall goal into realistic mini ones. Instead of pushing your body to the extreme, push it a little bit further than last time.

Every time you achieve a mini goal, you’ll be more motivated to smash the next, and before you know it, your overall goal will be within arm’s reach.

Struggling to stay on track? Here at iMotion, we're dedicated to helping the people of Rotherham and beyond reach their goals and lead a healthier life. If that means a lifestyle change, then we'll advise and support you in any way we can.

Get 30% off any Annual Membership until the end of January. Sign up today and make 2023 the year you change for the better.