It happens to all of us. Life happens and throws us off of our routine. We've worked extremely hard to establish and maintain healthy habits in the kitchen and gym and then, BOOM, life happens. The list is long: we get sick, a loved one gets sick, kids get sick, Christmas vacation, spring break, fall break, we had to work extra a week or month, etc. etc. I had established a new work routine and written a post on here for 7 straight weeks. Then life happened and Christmas family madness knocked my routine off track, but I'm back after a 3 week hiatus.
So, how can we get back on track when this happens? First, get yourself a win or two to establish momentum. Mine started last Sunday when I was able to meal prep for the first time in two weeks. This got my nutrition back on track and re-established that part of my routine. For me, nutrition and fitness are the guardrails that keep the other areas of my life somewhat manageable. I got another win on Saturday when I did a workout in the garage at 8:30pm. This is not my ideal workout time but I sensed that I needed some more momentum heading into this week. I was able to meal prep yesterday so now I had two weeks in a row of and that habit is back to normal.
Next, we need to build off the momentum. The kids were still out of school today and my wife was out of town so getting back to my business habits was a challenge this morning. I planned what I was going to do today before I went to bed. My timing got thrown off and I started to hit the eject button. This is often the most critical point. If we don't push through with our plan at this stage, it gets easier and easier to skip out on our task/habit. Our positive momentum turns into negative momentum. You know, when skipping two workouts turns into not making it to the gym for two months...or longer.
So how do we avoid the negative momentum swing? Accountability. Now ultimately I have to be accountable to myself. But, if I have to answer to someone I am far less likely to skip out on my task. This can be a friend who has similar goals, your spouse, your boss, or anyone else in your life. But, this needs to be a person who will hold your feet to the fire and not sign off on your BS. It really helps if you have some skin in the game, something to lose, or even something to not gain. One of the best ways to put some skin in the game is with your dollars. No one likes losing money, at least I don't. I pay people to hold me accountable. I have a business mentor that keeps me on track in that area. Every day I skip out on my business tasks I have to send him a picture of myself. I have a nutrition coach that keeps me on track in that area of my life.
In order to continue to maintain our habits both short term and long term, we must celebrate our wins. Celebrating wins builds confidence and self-worth and helps you recognize your abilities and progress. It also reminds you of your capacity to overcome challenges, fostering a positive self-image. Celebrating also releases hormones like dopamine, which enhance your mood and reduce stress. It also allows you to pause, reflect, and appreciate life, creating a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Whether it’s through a personal reward, sharing with loved ones, or simply taking a moment of gratitude, celebrating wins enriches your journey and keeps life meaningful. This can keep you motivated to set and pursue new goals, building momentum for future success.
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