Ah, the new year. A time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and... often, unrealistic fitness goals that fizzle out by February. But what if this year was different? What if, instead of making fleeting resolutions, we focused on building sustainable habits that lead to long-lasting results? After all, if we don’t make any lifestyle changes, we can’t expect our results to last.
Building a Sustainable Fitness Lifestyle
Making changes can be hard and overwhelming. To get started, let's focus on 3 points of my method of (Mindset, Movement, Habits, Nurture & Nutrition) to get an idea of how to implement healthy lifestyle changes.
Mindset
Mindset is probably the most important yet most neglected aspect of a fitness journey. Here are two key aspects to dive into when looking at mindset.
1- All or nothing mindset:
Too often people want to jump in and do it all at once. But the reality is small, consistent steps are far more effective than trying to overhaul your entire life overnight. Pick one or two areas you want to improve and focus on those for a few weeks. Make sure you’re consistent with those before adding in something new.
2- Find your WHY
Finding your WHY creates a purpose. What motivates you to get healthier? Is it to feel more confident, have more energy, or keep up with your kids? Having a clear purpose will help you stay on track when the going gets tough.
Your why should be specific and have meaning behind it.
So, why are you doing this?
To lose weight? Why?
To be healthy? Why does that matter?
To feel more confident? Why is that important to you?
Dig deep, the more meaning you can attach to your why, the better.
Movement
The key with being consistent with movement is picking activities you enjoy and making sure they are easily accessible. This might look like picking a gym close to home or on your way home from work. This may be cross country skiing instead of running. When you enjoy what you're doing and remove as many barriers to activity as possible, it's much easier to be consistent and make it a part of your lifestyle.
Nutrition
Nutrition is often the part most people are afraid to adjust the most. It makes sense since the common approach is to of start off by cutting out all the foods you love. Before you get the urge to go hard with nutrition, keep in mind that's a ticket to feeling like a failure a couple weeks later. Instead, start by adding in the fruits and veggies you like. Maybe this involves learning how to cook them differently, play around with seasonings and try different recipes. Find what you like, add it to your rotation.
Sometimes swaps are a good idea, sometimes it's not necessary. The more you add in nutrient dense foods, the less calories dense foods you will consume over time. We can still have the foods we like, but we need to be mindful of what foods we are prioritizing in our diets.
I often recommend the 80/20 rule. It's simple to follow. It means 80% of the foods you eat in a day are from nutrient dense sources and the other 20% can come from treats. If you don't allow yourself to have those foods you like, you can only maintain that way of eating for so long. It's not sustainable or enjoyable.
Don't cut out or restrict, add in.
Creating lasting fitness success isn't about quick fixes or drastic overhauls. It's about building a sustainable lifestyle that supports your overall well-being. By focusing on mindset shifts, choosing enjoyable movement, and prioritizing nutrient-rich foods, you can cultivate habits that lead to long-term results. Consistency is key, but it's not always easy. Don't pressure yourself to change everything overnight. No one does! The more you explore and experiment to find what works best for you, the easier and more enjoyable the process becomes.
Let's make this year the year you finally achieve your fitness goals, not through quick fixes, but by building a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that you can enjoy for years to come.
Download the FREE Lifestyle Guide: This guide dives deeper into the 5 pillars of my method (Mindset, Movement, Habits, Nurture, Nutrition) and provides practical tips for integrating them into your daily routine. Grab your copy here: https://www.jesscfit.com/freebies
Not sure where to start? Looking for a coach or program? Don't hesitate to reach out.
My method rests on the 5 pillars of: Mindset, Movement, Habits, Nurture, Nutrition.
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