When it comes to improving your health, it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing effort. In fact, easing into big changes that you can adopt permanently may work better for you long-term. Changes exist on a continuum. Below I’ve listed some things to consider doing, and what to work up to. The more of them you can work into your plan, the better off you’ll be and the faster you’ll see results. Then, take the changes to the next level.
- Limit your soda intake –> Give up soda and other sugary drinks entirely
- Commit to Shakeology once per day –> Commit to two clean eating meals per day –> Commit to 3 clean eating meals per day
- Give up artificial sweeteners –> Give up sugar entirely
- Limit processed foods to 2-3 times per week –> Give up processed foods entirely
- Limit alcohol to 2-3 drinks per week –> Give up alcohol
- Eat 2-3 servings of veggies per day –> 4-6 servings of veggies per day
- Drink 2-3 glasses of water daily –> Drink half your body weight in water (ounces) per day
- Commit to exercise 2-3 times per week –> Commit to exercise 4-6 times per week –> Add an extra workout to your day (doubles)
- Follow your workouts with the modifier –> Follow your workouts without the modifier –> Increase the weights in your workouts
Instead of doing nothing, commit to what you CAN do now. If you can’t give something up entirely – LIMIT IT. If you can’t add certain things as suggested, start adding them gradually and work up to suggested levels. As you become more and more comfortable with these lifestyle changes, add more of them. Eventually, these changes become habit and part of your routine. Above all, don’t knock yourself down for not following any plan 100%. Instead, celebrate the changes you ARE able to make.
