You Need Self Control To Reach Your Goal

When I have new clients in Totowa, NJ, the first thing I tell each client is that especially in the first few weeks and months, you need self control to reach your goal. Living a healthy lifestyle and getting into shape is tougher until it becomes a habit. Whether you’re working out regularly or eating healthy, it takes time to establish it as part of your life. That’s why finding ways to boost your self-control when you first begin is important.

Start with clearly identifying your reason for changing your lifestyle.

When you create a goal for a healthier lifestyle, you have to have a solid reason for doing it. The reason must be important to you, so doing it to please another person won’t work. Whether it’s to live longer and see your children and grandchildren grow or to feel more comfortable in your own skin, the reason should impact your life in a way you find important. Once you know why you’re going through the process, setting goals is the next step.

To keep you on the right path, the goal should be realistic and have a plan to achieve it.

Clearly identifying the goal and then breaking it down into steps that are quicker to achieve is a start. You need a way to measure your success. Measuring your success helps you see the progress you made, which helps boost your determination until eating healthy and working out become a habit. It takes self-control but you can boost it by identifying success along the way. Success breeds success and keeps you more determined.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Whatever your ultimate goal is, find ways to keep it front and center. Some people use sticky notes and paste them on the mirror, the refrigerator and other places to remind them why they are starting a healthier lifestyle. If you find your will power dips as the day wears on, do your exercising in the morning. Negative self-talk can destroy the best plans. Keep it in check. Instead, create phrases that are positive, such as “Every day I get fitter and healthier.” Write them, say them aloud and put them in your memory to block the negative talk in your head.

• Get adequate sleep at night. Achieving any goal and boosting self control is easier to do when you’ve had a good night’s sleep.
• Don’t tempt yourself any more than necessary. Keep junk food out of the house and prepare healthy snacks and meals ahead of time so you’re not tempted to grab fast food or unhealthy snacks.
• Increase your daily activity other ways, especially when you first start. Make it a point to take the stairs or park further from the store and walk further.
• Congratulate yourself on successes and enjoy each one. Whether it’s sticking with your program one more week or shedding a pound. It’s all good and feeling good about it can help you keep your resolve.