The Challenges of Behavior Change

Have you ever wondered why changing health behaviors are so hard? The reasons can be the impact of our environment and culture. Some of us were raised to always “clean” you plate. Perhaps, you were raised in a home of social eaters. Years of engaging in these types of behaviors can lead toward negative reinforcement of breaking these social requirements. Only through making a firm and realistic commitment to change can those taboos be broken.

Thankfully there are methods we can employ to make our desired change a reality. First, research and gather as much information as possible about the new behavior you are are undertaking. If it is to exercise more, consider what kinds of programs fit into your budget, lifestyle, and enjoyment level. Weight the pros and cons. Be honest with yourself. Don’t get caught up in flashy fads. Do what is enjoyable and sustainable for 6 months or more. Remember, it isn’t the speed but the consistency that get you to your goal.

Reward yourself for each successful milestone achieved. It must be something that supports the new behavior. If the goal is weight loss, don’t reward yourself with an overindulgence of sweets.

Set realistic and time-based goals. Achievable goals build on one another to increase mastery experience needed to overcome future hurdles. Setting a specific time to achieve each goal keeps the urgency in the front of our minds.

Finally, have a list of substitute alternatives already established for those moments of challenge. If you know you snack at midnight, establish countermeasures. Perhaps eat more healthy foods at dinner. Maybe get rid of the junk snack foods for healthier alternatives. Replace the ice cream for healthy frozen yogurt.  

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

The Difference between Health and Fitness

Did you know there is a difference between being healthy and being fit? Being healthy is simply being free of disease. There are many people out there whose physical and mental wellness are without complication, completely healthy but cannot run a 5k or do one power clean. 

Fitness is the ability to complete a task or role. A marathon runner is fit to run 26.2 miles, a powerlifter is fit to lift heavy, and a sprinter is fit to sprint. There are equally as many people who are fit and in poor health. How many of us remember Lance Armstrong and his fight with cancer?

Fitness and Health are not always congruent but they will inevitably affect one another. You can be healthy but unable to dress. You may be fit to teach quantum physics but unable to stand at the podium (i.e. Stephen Hawking). The first thing we must do is establish which is of greater importance to us and get it. Afterward, we can do things that support the other. This is the definition of wellness.

To successfully reach your goal, we must do two things. First, we must define your goal. Second, we must know where you are in relationship to that goal. Together they form a roadmap for you to follow to success. Remember to check your map frequently. Obstacles will arise that alter your course but your map will get you back on track quickly.