The importance of establishing a routine

Happy new year! So many people start the new year with goals and resolutions but are unable to maintain them in the long-term. The best way to be successful with goals is to create a plan to do so, this is where routines come in!

I recommend that people start small and analyze the routines that they already have. For example, in the morning if your normal routine is to wake up, scroll on your phone for 15 minutes, go to the bathroom, wash your face, drink some coffee, get dressed for the day and go to work, and your goal is weight loss, I would make 1 change. Without changing what time you wake up, you could walk on a Home treadmill while scrolling your phone for those 15 minutes. Another option could be using that time to stretch or do some yoga, or, spend five minutes on social media and the other 10 minutes making a balanced breakfast. After a few weeks of being successful in this change, then I would recommend this person try waking up 15 minutes earlier and getting 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and continue to adjust as necessary.

How to make a routine

Make it personal to you

Be realistic. I would love to be the girl who wakes up at 5am and works out before work but that’s not realistic for me. If you are very pressed for time in the morning, maybe your morning routine is not a place that you can add in anything for your wellness and that’s ok! In this case it would be better to prioritize a nighttime routine that sets up your next day for success.

Keep it simple

Instead of overhauling your entire routine, make 1 to 2 changes that support your goals. Maybe for you, that means waking up 15 minutes earlier and using that time to stretch or do yoga, or making breakfast for you and your partner, or, it could mean changing the habit of scrolling on your phone when you first wake up.
If you try to change everything at once, it is very unlikely it will be successful.

Create habits that support your goals

This means identifying what your goals are, and what is standing in the way of you achieving them. For some, this may mean setting up your workout clothes the night before so that you can go to the gym in the morning with no barriers. It could mean prepping breakfast in the evening, so that you save time in the morning and are still able to nourish yourself. It could also mean simply going to sleep earlier the night before so that you’re well rested and ready for your day.

Write it down, and tell someone!

Writing down your goals and plans is one of the best ways to stay committed to them! The next best thing you can do is tell someone your plans! You can ask them to check in on your from time to time. For some that may be a friend, a family member, a partner, or even hiring a coach. Having someone to hold you accountable is one of the best things you can do to be successful with lifestyle change

The importance of establishing a routine

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