The One Thing Rule

What is the single best method for creating lifestyle changes? The One thing rule of course.  How to do it?  Choose a goal and make it the only thing you change for a few months.  Exactly ONE THING and, yes, for months plural!

I’m sure you have heard of SMART goals.  These are Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and Timed.  They really work.  Set yourself up for success and really consider your goals.  Live healthier is a great goal, but it’s not as SMART as we need to be here.  Narrow it down.  For example, a SMART goal could be, “I want to live healthier by removing sugar (and sweetener additives) from my drinks for 3 months.”  Let the challenge begin!  If this goal isn’t quite right for you change it and focus on an area that is important to you.

There are many branches to healthy living. Have you heard of the Wellness Wheel?  For example, if you want to focus on physical wellness and moving more you can check out my post on the Single Best Way to Begin a Healthier Lifestyle. Perhaps you want to focus on eating & drinking healthier like the aforementioned sugar free drink goal.  Perhaps it’s a food choice you want to refine.  Choose one small way you can pursue that.

Maybe you want to eat vegetables as your afternoon snack 3 days a week for 3 months.  Simple, straight forward, and SMART.  This is your ONE THING!  Being diligent is key and figuring out what you will eat? Have a plan.  Take your time with this choice as it must be something you will enjoy.  If you hate peppers and hummus, your afternoon snack will not be something you want to eat.  If you love cucumbers and tzatziki make this your choice instead.  It’s great to have options, just keep them somewhat narrow until your habit is set.

Now what happens when you are no longer looking forward to your vegetable snack?  Give yourself another option.  It’s a healthy lifestyle not a life sentence.  There are many vegetables out there and no they don’t taste as good as cake (spoilers). Vegetables are awesome though so try carrots and dip or broccoli and peanut butter.  Eventually you will begin to automatically plan for and prepare your afternoon snack as vegetable focused.  It will get easier as you get familiar with the process and begin to find your favorites.  What happens when you have a crazy day, forget your snack, and grab whatever food you can find…snickers, cinnamon roll muffin, or granola bar?  Acknowledge it, re-connect with your goal, forgive yourself, and move on.  We do not need to feel guilty about this.  However, if you forget your snack 3 days in a row and grab snickers when an apple was sitting next to it, you may need to consider your commitment to this goal.

On the other hand, if you’ve been diligent with this goal for several weeks or months it’s time to celebrate!  Take a minute to congratulate yourself, share your success with a friend, or take an extra yoga class.  Give yourself a non-food reward and stay the course.  Notice how accomplishing this small change has made you feel.  Not every goal will end with the typically desired weight loss or a huge visual impact (wow you look great in those sherpa pants honey), but small steps toward a healthier lifestyle will compound and compile to create a healthier you. Life is a journey, take the path one day at a time and by changing one thing at a time.  If you need some guidance on setting SMART goals or need some specific recommendations, contact me to schedule a lifestyle consultation. I would be happy to contribute to your healthy success.

Be Well,

MP

Founder