Learning how to stay motivated if you are trying to reach a health goal or even heal a disease/illness is important. It can be challenging when you need to make changes in your daily routine. Part of this challenge is staying motivated. I understand how hard this can be because the past two years I struggled to reach a health goal myself. It's important to learn how to keep on track and persevere regardless of the obstacles because the rewards far out way the goal itself. Try these 7 ideas to stay motivated to reach your health goals.
7 Ideas To Keep You Motivated & Reach Your Health Goals
1. Think About What You Have To Gain, Not What You Are Giving Up
Think about your end goal and what you have to gain, not what you are giving up. If you are setting a health goal for yourself and need to stay motivated think about the reward.
A few years ago I had to completely change my lifestyle in order to heal my cystic acne. Giving up my old routine was hard, but clearly my body was giving me a message “pay attention something isn't right.” Initially, I mourned all the things I had to give up. However, I motivated myself to keep going by focusing on what I would be achieving and in the end, I gained so much more.
Once my skin cleared, I started my dream of creating a health blog, healed past issues, changed many inhibiting beliefs, healed my brain fog, increased my energy, and combatted feelings of depression.
Change your mindset and focus on everything you have to gain. Not only will you feel amazing for reaching your goal, it may lead you somewhere greater!
2. Make Your Goal Visible
Make your goals visible. You need a visual reminder of your goal daily.
These are ways to make your goal visible:
- Create a vision board and hang it where you can see it throughout the day.
- Design a screen saver, so you have a visual reminder at work.
- Create a graphic that shows your end goal and stick it on the fridge.
- Carry a picture of your goal with you. It will remind you of what you are working towards.
- Create a Goal Checklist to monitor your progress.
3. Set Reasonable Timelines
Set reasonable timelines. It's hard to stay motivated if you expect your goal to be reached in a week when in actual fact it may take close to a year to attain your goal.
So, I suggest setting smaller goals to achieve in the interm to keep you motivated or set a reasonable amount of time so you aren't feeling pressured. You cannot rush a flower to bloom. Stay focused, feel good about your daily progress and try not to put so much emphasis on the time. When it comes to your health and well being it may not happen overnight.
4. Visualize The Finish Line
Visualize the finish line daily and you will achieve your goal. Research shows that you can achieve this by spending minutes every morning visualizing your goal being reached and the steps necessary to get there.
This is such a simple task and literally takes minutes.
5. Treat Yourself Like You Would A Friend
So often we are kinder and more compassionate to our friends than we are to ourselves.
Monitor how you treat your friends. Do you find yourself using words like “don't give up, you can do this, you're are almost at the finish line, I am so proud of you,” to motivate them? Thus, you need give yourself the same compassion and encouragement. You deserve it!
6. Surround Yourself With Optimism
You adapt to the environment that you are in. So, you need to surround yourself with optimistic, positive people. Friends and family that will encourage you.
Also, I suggest following the health community on Instagram such as Medical Medium that shows “before & after” results of numerous people achieving their health goals.
Read about their experience and the obstacles they overcame. You may learn new ideas and helpful tips to stay motivated.
If you are looking for books to motivate you, these are some books I recommend:
7. Monitor Your Progress
A great way to monitor your progress is to create a journal. This method has been used by many successful people and for good reason. It keeps you honest and it's a great way to reflect along the way to see if you need to adjust your methods. You can journal weekly or even monthly if you don't have time to do it daily.
It's also a therapeutic way to release feelings of fear, anger or frustration, so you don't inhibit your progress. Letting go of these emotions is essential for the recovery process.
No Comments