2020 has been quite a year, hasn’t it? We’ve gone through a worldwide pandemic, fires in nearby California, and even an Olympic cancellation! With all the unpredictability in the world during 2020, it was challenging for many to make their health a priority. Fortunately, a new year is coming up quickly! The new year symbolizes a fresh start (hence the ‘New Year’s Resolution’), where you can let go of old habits that no longer serve you and bring new ones to light. 2021 is the perfect time to make your health a priority, and we’ve put together our top six tips on how to do just that!
1. Focus on Your Self-Care
The term ‘self-care’ has become a bit of an internet meme in 2020. Just because it’s an overused term doesn’t mean self-care is not important. Taking care of yourself is the first step in making your health a priority. Health starts from the brain – if your mind is not healthy, your body can’t be healthy. An amazing exercise routine won’t help you if you’re exhausted from ticking every box on your to-do list. You won’t stick to a healthy diet if you’re running yourself ragged. Pay attention to how your body feels and rest when it tells you to. Some people consider indulging in a long, hot bath to be self-care, whereas others prefer a decadent brunch with friends. Find what makes you feel good and enjoy it – within moderation, of course!
2. Set Small Goals
Which do you feel more positive you can achieve: losing 40 pounds, or losing five pounds? There’s absolutely no shame in saying the smaller amount! Studies have shown that setting smaller goals that are easier to achieve helps motivation remain high over long periods. A good way of staying on track is by breaking your big goals into smaller, more easily attainable ones. If you do want to drop 40 pounds, try for five pounds every month. Each month will still feel like a victory, so you don’t feel discouraged along the journey towards the bigger goal.
3. Create (And Stick To) A Schedule
Planning is proven to lower stress. If you know what’s coming, whether that’s a workout, meal, or doctor’s appointment, you’re less inclined to worry about it. Less worry equals less stress. This is why to make your health a priority in 2021. You should create and stick to a schedule. Plan out a reasonable time frame you can regularly work out at and write it down. Choose healthy meals and cook them at the beginning of the week, so you always have a nutritious option at hand. By knowing what you’ll eat and when, and when you’ll work out, you have a clear guide to eliminating last-minute worries (and excuses).
4. Change Up Your Workout
Sticking to a schedule is not the same as grinding through the same, boring workout week in and week out. Sometimes you need to switch it up a bit! If you’ve been doing primarily cardio-based workouts, try a weight-based plan for a few weeks. Exercise releases endorphins, which make you happy. It’s easier to make your health a priority when you feel happy. It takes just a few weeks on average to form a new habit; why not make this habit regular workouts? As you experiment with different workouts, you’ll find what works best for your body.
5. Shift Your Overall Environment
With the 2020 quarantine, a lot of us were stuck inside. The monotony of seeing the same landscapes, eating the same diet, and doing the same workouts wears down our brains over time. If you want to make your health a priority in 2021, you have to change up your environment. If you usually work out in a gym, try going for an outdoor run! If you’re a fan of meal prepping, try going one or two weeks with making fresh meals every day or so. By forcing yourself to experience a new situation, you pull yourself out of any mental rut.
6. Consider Health Like Wealth: You Want More!
It takes a lot of effort and willpower to rewrite your brain’s thinking when it comes to health. One thing our weight loss experts recommend is thinking about health like it’s wealth. You want more, you work hard for it, and you get to show it off when you’ve got a lot of it! While this comparison sounds silly, it’s a way to illustrate just how important health is to you. Will you put in work for it? Will you dedicate time to it? A big part of making health a priority is simply wanting to. Your willpower factors in so much when it comes to weight loss; you should always be seeking out new ways to live a healthy lifestyle!
For more common weight loss and other related tips, please contact Advanced Medical Weight Loss.
