The Healthy Living Blog

Starting a new health and fitness plan is exciting, but sticking to it can be surprisingly tough. There are a few key reasons why making these changes can be so challenging.

Psychological Resistance

Our brains love routine because it’s easy and comfortable. When we try to introduce new habits, it takes a lot of mental effort, and this can be exhausting. This is why it’s so hard to break old habits and form new ones.

Biological Factors

Our bodies are also set in their ways. When we start exercising more, we might feel tired and sore, which can be discouraging. Changing our diet can lead to cravings and feelings of deprivation because our bodies miss the foods we're used to.

Lack of Immediate Results

We live in a world where we expect quick fixes, but fitness and health improvements take time. The slow pace of visible results can be frustrating and make us feel like our efforts aren't paying off.

Social and Environmental Influences

Our surroundings and the people around us have a...

Winter brings its own set of challenges for maintaining health and fitness goals. The shorter days and colder weather can make it tough to stay motivated. However, by embracing a balanced approach, you can stay committed to your goals while also recognising the need to slow down, listen to your body, and prioritise self-care.

Embrace the Need to Slow Down

Winter is a time for rest and rejuvenation. Adjusting your training routine to align with the season can help you stay on track without burning out:

• Modify Your Workouts: Shift to lower-intensity exercises like yoga, Pilates, swimming or gentle strength training. These activities are easier on your joints and muscles, reducing the risk of injury.
• Prioritise Recovery: Incorporate more rest days into your routine. Use this time for foam rolling, stretching, and other recovery practices that support your overall well-being.
• Get More Sleep: The longer nights are a natural cue to increase your sleep. Aim for minimum 7-9 hours each n
...

Motivation! Arrghhh. 

It seems like everyone else has it but you sometimes! Those people you know who get up at 5am to get to the gym. They must just be naturally motivated people right?

Wrong. Motivation is not intrinsic. People are not born with it.

I'm going to share with you two simple strategies that you can do right now to get you feeling motivated and moving closer to your goals each day. 

1. MAKE TIME FOR YOU

This is a commitment to YOU and YOUR values, priorities and goals. Making time is a crucial survival habit. If you don't make the time, time will be taken from you. You'll be pushed and pulled by other obligations. Something will always come up, and there's never a perfect time! So don't wait for the perfect time. MAKE the time. Book an appointment with yourself to move each day or to do whatever needs to be done to move you closer to your goals. 

Making time for yourself also helps you to develop practical and valuable life skills such as:

• Identifying what's impo
...