Do you struggle to create healthy habits?

Do you know what to do - but don’t do what you know – when it comes to your health?

 You’re absolutely not alone.  We are bombarded with health messages in the media and if you’re a health-focussed person who loves a self-help book/podcast then you’ll know that for optimum health we need to eat, sleep, relax and move well and have a good social circle and sense of community!

However, when I’m chatting with someone about what I do, or to prospective clients it’s not long before someone says “I know what to do, but I struggle to do it” or something like ‘I know what to do, but I just don’t have the time to do it, until ……..(insert reason/excuse)’

So why does this happen and what can we do about it? How do we get over the hump and start showing up for ourselves and our health?

Here are 6 reasons why we struggle with doing what we know

1. We put unrealistic expectations on ourselves.

We have the unrealistic expectation that we can do all of the things perfectly.  So, when we find out that we can’t, we either feel like we’ve failed, or that we’re weak willed – and we just give up!

2. We don’t prioritise our own health.

We come somewhere after the kids, husband, dog and guinea pig! 

3. Self-care feels self-indulgent.

We often fail to see the bigger picture, which is that by taking care of ourselves, we are in a better position to help everyone else. Also, by taking small steps to look after our health now, we will live better for longer.

4. We feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start when everything feels like it needs attention

I’m looking at you with your shelves of fabulous books gathering dust about fasting like a girl, balancing your glucose like a goddess, having a miraculous morning, going keto etc etc

5. The goals we set are too big, which makes them feel hard to achieve.

If you can’t keep up the new habit, you’ve made it too big, or you’re not finding it enjoyable. You’re the one who sets your goals, so be honest up front and set yourself up for success.

6. What we’re doing feels restrictive (when it comes to diet), or it feels like an extra job (when it comes to exercise)

When something feels restrictive or hard and we don’t have a good solid reason why we’re doing it, we often won’t see it through, or we’ll want to rebel.

So what can we do when we feel stuck? Here are some straight forward, straight-talking ways to move forward

1. I’m afraid there is no miracle cure for this ‘stuckness’. We are actually going to have to make an effort, which can be hard.  This is where having a water-tight motive comes in. 

You have to have a good reason for doing something, and you have to keep it at the forefront of your mind, every day until it becomes what you do and who you are.

Why is it important for you? Maybe you have a health issue that you want to manage. Maybe it’s so you can have the physical and mental energy to look after your family. What’s your ‘why’?

2. Know that there’s no need to be perfect.

There will be challenges both in and out of your control. Holidays, birthdays, socialising, travelling, loved ones, jobs may take your priority.  This is OK, it’s just life. We just need to learn how to be flexible, kind to ourself and develop a way of living that is healthy by default, so we just get back on track when we can.

3. The success to building healthy habits is to start VERY, VERY small. What’s the minimum you can commit to? 

For example, if you’re trying to build in meditation to your daily routine, rather than over-committing to 30-minutes every evening, why not start with committing to just 1-minute of breathing exercises?

What usually happens is that you’ll end up doing more, but it will help you develop the habit.

What’s the smallest thing you can commit to?

4. Know that self-care is self-less. 

Many clients who complete my 12-week programme report that one big lesson they learn is that by prioritising their own health, they are better people for everyone else – they can handle the stresses of work and family life with more ease and confidence. Let go of any guilt, it’s misplaced when it comes to health!

5. Reading more and collecting books probably isn’t going to help you.

It’s fabulous to keep learning and educating yourself, but unless you put the things into action, it’s not going to help you. The skill you need to develop is working out what your goal and motivating factor is and then starting with small habits that become second nature that you can build on. 

Our brains usually need evidence that something is going to work and that it’s going to feel good (or at least not bad). Keep reflecting on and reviewing your progress and congratulate yourself on the small wins – even the tiny wins!

There are a couple of books that might help – if you use them though

1. Atomic Habits – James Clear
2. Badass Habits – Jen Sincero

And of course, if you are struggling to put healthy habits in place, I can help you with this – it’s what I do. Contact me for a free no-obligation Clarity Call to find out how by emailing me here