Habit-Forming for Health
When it comes to working out or fitness training all of us need that initial ‘impetus’ of motivation. And that in itself takes commitment (and energy!).
But, while motivation is what makes people start a fitness programme, what makes them continue is when it becomes a habit. Definition of a habit: something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it.
The key words here are “often” and “regularly” because how many of us find it disappointingly difficult to make our exercise often and regular? Whether it’s on a daily basis or once per week, There are so many other pressures that conspire to help us even start the habit, let alone indulge in it long enough to break it!
And this is a big issue with habits. It can be a challenge to stick to them in the early days, but persistence pays off and before you know it, you’re almost automatically (if not exactly effortlessly) “tuned-in” to your exercise schedule . Once upon a time we were all children who’s parents or carers worked hard for to get us into habits like brushing our teeth, going to sleep at a decent hour, having 3 meals a day….
As an adult it is down to YOU (with my support) to get into a NEW habit of taking care of your health and fitness 😉
So it may pay to reflect on what Charles Duhigg writes in his book The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, “If you believe you can change – if you make it a habit – the change becomes real.”
Acknowledgements:
Definition from The Cambridge Dictionary
befitnessandpt.co.uk 