Well, here we are in January again… it always seems to me that January is about six months long, and then the rest of the year goes by in about a week, doesn’t it? One thing we consistently see in the gym in January is an influx of new members (or returning old ones who haven’t been for a while!) armed with their New Year’s resolutions to exercise more and live healthily. We love it! It’s fantastic to see so many new and familiar faces through the door, ready to embark on their health and fitness journey. But sadly, statistics show that up to 50% of those new members will cancel their membership within the first six months. So, how can we beat the odds and create lasting change?
The Opportunity of a New Year
A new year offers a chance to press the reset button on your life and how you live it. After perhaps indulging a bit more over the festive period, many of us are eager to start living healthier. We often throw ourselves into this with the best of intentions, but how we approach these changes is key to whether we can make them last.
New Year’s resolutions often compel us to believe that we must suddenly live a ‘perfect’ version of our goals. We think we must hit the gym three times a week, drink two litres of water every day, and eat a model diet. However, even positive changes can cause a stress response in our brains, and the bigger the change, the bigger the stress response. For some, this drastic shift might create lasting habits, but for most, it leads to burnout and makes our best intentions unsustainable.
Achieving Lasting Change
So, how do we achieve that ‘holy grail’ of lasting change? The answer is to introduce sustainable habits in a manageable way. Start with one change and do it consistently until it feels like part of your routine. For example, join a gym and pick a class you enjoy. Commit to attending it weekly. Once that becomes a habit, find a second class or add a gym workout weekly. Next, incorporate an extra glass of water or two into your day. By gradually integrating these habits into your lifestyle, you minimise the stress response in your brain and slowly create lasting habits, giving you the best chance to avoid being part of that six-month gym statistic.
Tips for Sustainable Habit Formation
- Start Small: Begin with one manageable change and stick with it until it feels natural.
- Be Consistent: Consistency is key. Regularly attending a class or maintaining a habit will help solidify it.
- Build Gradually: Add new habits slowly. Once one habit is established, introduce another.
- Celebrate Progress: Recognise and celebrate small milestones along the way.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Understand that setbacks are normal. Be kind to yourself and keep moving forward.
Final Thoughts
At Body Happy, we are ready and waiting to help you achieve your goals in a way that will create lasting change. Contact us to book in with one of our trainers today. Remember, lasting change is possible with small, sustainable steps. Let’s make this year the one where you create habits that stick!