There are some goals I’ve been setting around here. That’s nothing new. I’m the queen of having a goal. I always feel the need to have something to work toward. One of my goals is working on staying committed to my fitness. I have fallen off in a big way since having kids. Getting back on track has been slow going – but it’s going!
I was talking to my girlfriends recently and we all agree that we could be doing more. Whether it’s the things we eat or working out – more could be getting done. As for me, I’ve carved out some time in my day to work out at least 4 times a week. I want to get back up to 5 days. It’s been a while since I’ve been that girl though so I am pacing myself. The goal here isn’t for me to hit a certain weight or size. That was never my goal with working out. I did it because it is good for me. I like how it makes me feel. I like how it makes me look. Working out in the morning sets the tone for my day too. Once I’ve sweat it all out, it’s a little tough for me to justify a glazed donut. I feel like I worked too hard to give in to that and try to opt a healthier choice instead. It doesn’t always work (no one is perfect) but the thing is, working out keeps my goal of a healthier lifestyle at the forefront of my thoughts. That’s a great thing.
While exercising used to be as much a part of my day as eating breakfast, it’s been touch and go for a while now. Essentially this means I’m trying to form a new habit. They say it takes at least 21 days for a new habit to stick. I’ve got just over a week to go! Whenever we start something new and attempt to make it a part of our new normal it takes work. We all have busy lives and trying to change things up often means trying to squeeze something else in to an already full schedule. One thing that’s been working for me is leaving my workout clothes out at night so they are the first things I see in the morning. I also leave my workout DVD cued up so all I have to do is press play!
No matter what new habits we start, we can all use a little support to stick to them. Here are a few ideas to keep the ball rolling once you get started.
Whatever it is you plan to tackle, start with your least favorite part of it first. Getting the least pleasant part of it out of the way, makes the rest of it easier.
Break things down into manageable chunks. No need to tackle the whole enchilada. If you’re looking to get fit, just move. Don’t set a number goal. You’ll only feel like you’re not making progress if you don’t see that number when you think you should.
Get a buddy! Let someone know you’re trying to start something new. They’ll check in with you and hopefully motivate you and keep you accountable.
Give yourself grace! If you fall off here and there, don’t beat yourself up. Just re-commit and move forward.
Use your words for good. Don’t say what you can’t do. Don’t allow yourself to talk yourself out of what you’ve started. You can do it!
Are you starting anything new? Tell me about it. Or let me know how you stick to a new habit.
60 Comments on 5 Ways to Make those Habits STICK
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I think a lot of us have slip ups and then think it’s too hard to get back on the wagon – or not worth it.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…Fun with Hasbro’s New DohVinci! #Dohvinci
I’m trying to get in the good habit of working out regularly! My fitbit is my motivation.
Betsy Mitchell recently posted…Lexus RX 350 F Sport Crossover Review
Yeah, that whole grace thing? I’m not so good at it. I’m very all or nothing so I beat myself up terribly over stumbles.
Liz Mays recently posted…PediaSure Provides Complete Balanced Nutrition For Children
These are great tips. I need to apply them to a few things I’m working on!
Lisa recently posted…Novogratz Bedding Line Launches at Walmart
I agree slip ups happen and that shouldn’t disqualify someone. Get back on the wagon and try it again. Make this time count. I believe in making small lists of goals to achieve that finally end up getting the end goal. Love your list.
Eliza Ferree recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Toddlers Love the Boxes Best
Absolutely great post. I always break large job, projects or long term goals into pieces. It’s must easier to complete several small goals than one huge goal.
Marina recently posted…Encouraging a child to make a difference
I am in the process of starting a new blog. I have discovered that I really like posting easy recipes and entertaining ideas, but that’s not the direction my current blog is taking. So I am working on making a separate blog that I can do what I want with.
This is a good list. It is important to re-commit and move forward if you slip up. Way better to do that than to quit, and it makes reaching the finish line even sweeter.
Rosey recently posted…Enter to #win $100! #BabysBrilliantGiveaway
I find I do better if I have a friend to do it with me. It’s easier to check in and keep track of progress.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama recently posted…What to Pack for a Blog Conference
Having a buddy help me stick to things is one of the ways I stay on top of my goals. It really is too much sometimes to do it on your own.
Trisha (MomDot)
Trisha (MomDot) recently posted…Frankenstein Handprints Craft: Easy Halloween!
I’m such a creature of habit – that every now and then I force myself to try new things. I usually do better if I have someone trying with me or encouraging me!
Debra recently posted…Autumn Is In the Air With #FebrezeFall
Great advice. I do a lot by habit.
i like the Use Your Words advice. It’s simple to just say something but make it matter and make it count
Melinda recently posted…It’s easy with Five Star Home Foods
great tips, it can be so hard to get a habit to stick, I’m always getting side tracked
Katrina recently posted…Easy Chicken Pot Pie Caserole Recipe
These are great tips. I can definitely apply them to my everyday life.
Tracey recently posted…WTF Wednesday
Accountability is big for me! I need someone to tell when when I’m slacking
Christie recently posted…Jif To Go Dippers #GetGoing Photo Contest
Right now I am really working on the weight loss. I need to get back on the work out bandwagon and make it a daily habit. Break the nighttime snacking habit.
Chrystal @ YUM eating recently posted…The Yuck Stops Here {25} #stoptheyuck
Good tips – I think it’s all about habit for me. I know if I fall off the bandwagon, I have to simply schedule my workout time in, and don’t cancel it.
Fabulous tips! I recently started working out again. I’m doing my best to stick to it this go round.
Candy O recently posted…What’s Cooking Wednesday with Linky 30
Good tips for sticking to habits- many of us want to change, but can’t follow through on it!
Lily @ From Lily With Love recently posted…The Secret to Waking Up Early
Breaking things down is really helpful for me. I find I am more likely to make a habit of something if I work my way in rather than jumping in headfirst.
Chelsea recently posted…Floral Shorts and a Full Plate
As a psychotherapist, I’m always teaching my patients these same techniques and I also practice what I preach! I’m all about the positive self talk and when I decided to make sure I get in a workout every day, it had to be at 5am, I got a buddy to help motivate me.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…Baked Ziti Pie- Throwback Thursday
I completely agree with this! Especially starting with your least favorite part first <3
Angelic Sinova recently posted…Blogging Tips 02: Saving Money with StudentRate
Its SO easy to fall out of a habit and SO hard to get back into one! I would like to add a daily walk to my routine.
Melissa recently posted…Budget Photo Collage Wall
Change is always hard but always good. Great post.
Erica recently posted…30 Weeks pregnant and a lot going on.
I have to, have to get into am exercise routine. No more excuses, I just have to get it done! And get going!
Andi recently posted…(Not quite) Wordless Wednesday #214 â Pau Hana Market Waikiki
New habit is trying desperately to get organized!! Working from home at a full-time job with a two month old is NOT helping. 🙁
Megan @ C’mon Get Crafty recently posted…DIY Autumn Sign with FolkArt Paint & Stencil
great tips! the first 2 are indispensable to me!
amen
Amy recently posted…What’s for Dinner Wednesday- Pinterest Edition
Great tips. I think it’s so important to have a buddy to keep you accountable.
Toni recently posted…Lessons We Can Learn From The Duggar Family
This is such a great and timely post! I am currently getting back into some of the habits I dropped during the summer, and I know myself well enough to know what I have to do to get there, it’s just about determination for me, and when I’m actually ready. Which thankfully I am!
Shasta Walton recently posted…My Beautiful Family: What They Mean To Me
Sigh. Thanks for the kick in the butt!
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://theaccidentalmama.com
The Accidental Mama recently posted…10 Reasons Why I Love Veronica Mars
I’m always needing help with this, thanks for the tips! 🙂
Love this post! Breaking big projects into smaller pieces always help me tackle them.
Brenda recently posted…modcloth fall picks
Great tips! Its not always easy to make those good, healthy habits to stick.
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) recently posted…Fit Made Fun MommyParty with Leap Frog and Clif Kids #FitMadeFun
I always get into good habits and then get so lax with them.
Those are all great tips. Breaking things down in manageable chunks is something I need to work on.
An accountability partner is so good to have! They really can help keep you focused.
krystalskitsch recently posted…It’s Fall Y’all! Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
Great tips. I find if I schedule stuff ahead of time it slowly becomes a habit.
Jessica Doll recently posted…Fall Desert Style
I just started a new diet and i have actually am using some of the thing that u called out here! the biggest one is getting a buddy and executing grace!
Awesome advice 🙂
Awesome tips! I’ve been giving myself alone time in the morning and waking up at 4 a.m. I exercise and meditate for a while. It’s been very beneficial and I have been sleeping better at night.
Amby Felix recently posted…The Keurig 2.0 K500 Product Review
This is great advice and tips! I am trying to get started with some new ideas as well — working out on a regular schedule, organizing my life etc. All of these tips are applicable. Thanks for sharing.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Ayana Pitterson recently posted…dress pants + thrift sisters link up
Writing it down is the biggest one for me. Once it’s in print it’s real.
Breaking things down into smaller chunks is a fantastic approach. Sometimes the bigger issue can be daunting when trying to tackle it whole.
These are some great tips. I know it’s definitely hard for me to stick to a habit.
Carly Anderson recently posted…Black and White Playmat
Starting over when you fall is so important. I’ve had to do it many, many times.
kendall recently posted…50+ Candy Corn Recipes
I have been trying to get back to my running every day at lunch at work but too lazy and so many excuses but that quote is helping my resolve, need to pin it somewhere
These are such good tips! I am so bad at habits! I don’t even really have bad habits. There are several habits I’ve been trying to set for years, but I am going to have renewed motivation!
Raewyn recently posted…PicStick Photo Magnets + Discount Code
This is great and while I work to curb some habits I have, I will certainly remember this list to keep me on track! What a wonderful list.
Brandy recently posted…Saying Goodbye to a Great Man: Grampa Passes at Age 90
A recent habit I’m putting into place is acting as if my dreams have already come true. Sounds a little weird, I know, but on the occasions when I truly feel the excitement of living my dreams, I have amazing things happen to me.
Nikki Rae recently posted…Rediscover the Lost Art of Human Interaction
I love that. I think that’s a great practice! It seems to be great reminder to gratefully live each moment.
Great tips!
Great tips. It is definitely hard to make habits stick, but when it finally sticks it is hard to break!
Ah such great reminders. Thanks for the great post. My fav is ‘Give yourself grace’ – such an important aspect of making change happen! Love xo
I’m trying to find motivation right now to get started on my own set of goals! I love the starting with your least favorite part tip…it’s hard!
I’m trying to break some habits and hang on to some new ones!
Getting a buddy is a great tip! Accountability is key.
Love your blog! I feel like you are talking to me as my best friend who just knows best! 😀
Sarah Harris recently posted…MY KIDS’ COMFORT FOOD – 3 WAYS
That’s awesome! Thanks so much. 🙂