Make it specific! Make it possible! Make it public!
First, we have to believe we can! Then, we have to set ourself up for success. And then, we might need a little help from our friends to make sure we actually do it!
Make it specific!
Pick an addiction of yours you want to get rid of. For example:
- Chocolate free month of January.
- There is an app called couch to 5K. Basically, it is a 30 min workout three times a week that trains you to run 5 K in eight weeks.
- Only one hour of cell phone usage a day.
Make it possible!
Make sure your cupboards are free of chocolate. Make sure you have nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruits, trail mix or some other healthy alternative you can snack on.
Get a good pair of running shoes. Choose a natural terrain, not hard concrete. You can only reach your goal if you last throughout the whole challenge. If you are forced to give up after 2 weeks because your joints are in so much pain that you are more hurting than helping yourself, you should adapt to walking 30 min rather than running.
Leave your phone in the car when you go drop off or pick up the kids.
Make it public!
Tell your friends you are doing it. Find a friend who will do it with you and share your struggles.
Ready, set, go!
Your goals are set, your cupboards and equipment are ready, your app is downloaded, your plan is in your agenda, you are ready to go!
On the way
Write a brief diary of how it goes every day. The first time I did a chocolate free month my first days were full of chocolate replacement options. Little by little, the struggle subsided and the text in my diary got shorter and shorter, until I had nothing to say about it anymore. Hopefully one day you will simply forget to write in your diary!
So let’s do this, find your challenge(s), make a plan, find a friend, take out your notebook, join the fun, and go!
Happy and healthy 2020 everyone!
