As we head down the holiday path, Halloween in the rear-view mirror, Thanksgiving, Hannukah and Christmas on the horizon, how will you manage your health? I hear frequently (read daily) individuals struggling with parties, travel, holidays and the general bombardment of “holiday and social pressure.” Not just around sweets and treats but general confrontation of situations trying to pull you off your current routine. This applies to everything health and wellbeing concerned, exercise, sleep, stress management and more.
In coaching, business and sports circles this relates to having the right mindset. Listen to post-game interviews from athletes or conversations with high performing entrepreneurs they will often credit “having the right mindset” as key to success. Specifically, will you be able to maintain your ‘health mindset’ when the pressure is on?
What’s this have to do with my health and wellness? Well, everything. If you’re unclear about WHY you want to be healthy, don’t have the necessary focus and drive to overcome pressure, being pulled off track can easily happen. Mindset is a muscle that needs constant practice and daily attention, see additional post here.
An esteemed colleague of mine says, “Your Why: Should Make You Cry.”
Here’s just a sampling of answers to the question, Why Do You Want to Be Healthy?
- Have a partner I love
- Be there for my kids or grandchildren
- Bucket list of items to explore
- Value my independence
- Plan on enjoying an active retirement
If that is true or any other reason, all of which are incredibly admirable, what causes the break in ACTIONS that support continued and constant attention to one’s health? We can make a huge, long list of potential saboteurs from stress, lack of time, unsupportive friends, media frenzy, relationship issues, family events, work conflicts…………. on and on.
It’s vital to understand this is not about being a “good or bad person” or one with less discipline per se. It’s about recognizing the issue and finding ways to make your WHY so big and important on a daily basis that it is easier to stay true to your path.
Individuals of faith will say that if they are struggling and or have deviated from a spiritual path, that revitalizing a habit of reading scriptures, going to a faith group meeting, connecting with a sponsor and or taking time for themselves to rekindle the fire are helpful tools. These same efforts can be useful if grappling with a lack of consistency in one’s health journey. They are ways to be reminded and enlighten the WHY behind the action.
BJ Fogg, a well know behavior scientist at Stanford University talks about creating cues and reminders as well as celebrating your success as building blocks of sustainable change. Simple ole school tactics like, have your workout clothes laid out the night before, photos on the refrigerator of your WHY, regular conversations with a friend, sponsor or group that has the same goals and understands your challenges.
Hit the pause button frequently. Most of our decisions to veer away from our WHY, happen in a fast and furious moment. If we slow down and take more time to evaluate often the choice seems simple. Think how a “time-out” is given in athletic events and or even with a small child to think over the situation and give the brain time to clear.
Associate yourself with as many individuals who cheer on your health success, NOT those pulling you off. Easier said than done, but well worth the effort.
Take Action Now
In a recent interview I did with ER doctor and longtime fitness professional Dr. Doug McGuff said when it comes to fitness, “Just Get Started.” There is no perfection (see post here) however there can be action. With only a few weeks till the end of the year, enhancing the mindset muscle and making your WHY front and center daily can carry you strongly into the New Year.
All the very best to Finish Strong 2025.
