I’ve had a lot of nutrition goals in my lifetime. Some I’ve reached and some I haven’t. There are a few that I not only reached but also became lifelong habits, like drinking at least 2 liters of water (or in my case, a lot of herbal tea) and eating a good source of protein with every meal to keep my energy levels up during the day.
When a goal becomes a habit, you’re more likely to do it on a regular basis and do it long-term. You don’t even have to think about it much; it’s just part of your routine.
So how do you turn a goal into a long-term habit?
Choose a healthy behavior that you feel is attainable.
Pack a healthy lunch to bring with me on workdays.
Decide what specific action you need to take to practice that behavior.
Buy healthy foods to put in my lunch.
Pack my lunch the night before so I’m not rushed in the morning before work.
Attach that action to a habit you already practice on a daily basis, so that every time you do one you remember to do the other.
I always pack my lunch after I finish dinner the night before.
Make the new behavior as easy to do as possible.
I keep easy, healthy ingredients on hand to pack in my lunch or I pack leftovers from my meal the night before.
The night before, I make sure I have containers or packaging I need to transport my lunch.
I leave a note for myself on the door to remind me to take my lunch in the morning.
And finally, be consistent in practicing that behavior.
If you struggle with consistently meeting your goal, consider two things:
Do you just need a little self-compassion and more time to reach your goal?
Do you need to adjust your goal or behavior to make it more attainable?
Remember, there will likely be times that you fall short of your goal. It’s ok to start again.
In August I am giving 2 virtual group classes free of charge:
Thursday, August 5th at 12:15pm to 1:15pm (EST)
This one-hour, interactive class focuses on 2 main nutritional strategies to teach participants how to stay energized throughout the day:
How to combine foods in meals and snacks for optimum energy
Timing of meals and snacks for steady energy levels
Friday, August 6th at 12:15pm to 1:15pm (EST)
Do you want to maximize your brain power? Science confirms that lifestyle choices can impact your brain function and that food choices play an important role. This one-hour, interactive class will help you
Identify foods that help keep the brain sharp
Plan meals and snacks that maintain energy levels and promote mental clarity
Optimize timing of snacks, meals, and hydration to improve brain power
In order to provide a more personalized experience, space is limited to 25 participants for each class.
Book now at ShaunaHillNutrition.com.
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