Take Back Control of Your Habits: A Guide for Busy Professionals and Parents in Duluth
Monday, Aug 19th, 2024Habits are the unseen forces guiding our daily decisions. We like to believe we're in control, but the truth is, habits drive 90% of our actions. If you're a busy professional or parent in Duluth, you may already know how challenging it can be to stay on track with your health goals. You’ve tried to hold yourself accountable, yet find yourself starting and stopping, losing the motivation to stick with your habits.
Here's the good news: While habits often dictate our actions, we can regain control by building better ones that align with our ultimate goals.
The key is understanding that habits are automatic decisions. The easier it is to make the right choice, the quicker it becomes a routine. But where do you start, especially when your schedule is packed, and motivation seems to wane?
To ensure your habits are working for you, begin by clarifying your goals. Then, start taking small, consistent steps that will help you build habits that bring you closer to achieving those goals.
Steps to Build Habits That Help You Achieve Your Goals:
Find Your WHY: Why is this habit and goal important to you? "Why" is the fuel that keeps you going when willpower alone isn’t enough. Whether it’s the desire to have more energy for your kids or the drive to excel in your career, your “why” needs to be front and center.
Start Small & Consistent: Big goals are admirable, but tiny, achievable steps are your best friend, especially when you're juggling work and family. Consistency, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk every day, will build momentum.
Make a Commitment (Even When It's Tough): Life gets busy. There will be off days. But knowing that it won't always be smooth sailing can help you push through those tougher times.
Set Yourself Up for Success: Create an environment that supports your goals. This might mean prepping healthy snacks in advance or scheduling your workouts like meetings. Simple adjustments can remove obstacles and make healthy choices easier.
Find Your Support System: Accountability is crucial, especially when you’re feeling stretched thin. Whether it’s a coach, a supportive community, or a friend who checks in on you, having someone to encourage you can make all the difference.
Overcoming the Winter Hurdle in Duluth
As winter approaches in northern Minnesota, staying motivated on your health goals can feel especially challenging. The cold, dark days can make it tempting to skip your workout or reach for comfort foods. That’s why it’s even more important to have a solid plan and support system in place.
Consider partnering with a health coach in Duluth who understands the unique challenges of the area. A coach can help you identify your true goals, create an action plan, and build an environment that fosters the habits you need to succeed—even during the toughest months.
Remember, habits are the foundation of progress. The more you automate healthy decisions, the closer you get to achieving your goals. With the right approach, you can finally break the cycle of starting and stopping, and build lasting habits that support your busy life.
What a Health Coach Can Do
A health coach is a professional who supports individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals by providing personalized guidance, motivation, and accountability.
Goal Setting: A health coach works with you to identify and clarify your health and wellness goals. This could range from losing weight, improving fitness, managing stress, or creating a healthier lifestyle overall.
Personalized Plans: They help break down these goals into actionable, realistic steps that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and needs.
Provides Tools: They may provide resources like meal plans, exercise routines, mindfulness techniques, or other strategies to help you stay on track.
Habit Formation: The coach helps you develop and sustain healthy habits by starting small and building consistency. They focus on creating changes that are sustainable in the long term.
Behavioral Changes: They guide you in identifying and overcoming obstacles that have previously prevented you from achieving your goals, whether it’s time management, emotional eating, or lack of motivation.
Regular Check-Ins: Health coaches often hold regular sessions to check on your progress, adjust plans if needed, and keep you accountable to your commitments.
Mindset Shifts: A health coach can help you re-frame negative thinking patterns and build a more positive, resilient mindset.
Stress Management: They often incorporate stress reduction techniques, mindfulness, and strategies to improve mental and emotional well-being, which are crucial for achieving and maintaining physical health.
If you have struggled in the past to hold yourself accountable, or find yourself constantly starting and stopping, never making the progress you know you can make, it may be time to explore partnering with someone who can help fill those blinds spots and support you on the path to success.
Ready to get started? Use this link to book a free assessment call with a certified health coach today!