Lifestyle Changes that Last a Lifetime

By: SaRene Brooks

Making lifestyle changes can take time and patience.

There are some key points to follow that will help you create habits

that will last a lifetime.

Habits that Fit Your Lifestyle

Lifestyles are individualized and personal. No two are alike. As you embark on the lifestyle change journey, keep in mind that the choices you make must fit your own personal needs. I recommend you spend some time with a Registered Dietitian who can help you come up with a plan that will include adequate nutrition specific for YOU. It is important to identify exactly what changes you want to make, why you are making them and how you are going to incorporate them into your everyday life.

Creating a healthier lifestyle does not mean giving up the things you love. A balanced life is centered around personal preferences that promote a healthy physical, social, and mental wellbeing. Having unrealistic expectations and limiting guidelines can result in anxiety and frustration with short-term results. For example, if you decide you are going to try a diet that will allow you to lose weight quickly, but it is strict and does not foster a good relationship with food, you will have a difficult time following it for long-term. You may be able to stick with it long enough to see results.  However, if in the back of your mind you can’t wait for it to be over, you are not creating life-long habits. You will likely end the “diet” when you reach your desired weight. Because the changes you made were not sustainable, you would likely gradually gain  back the weight and end up where you started. With rapid weight loss it is common to also lose lean body tissue. When the weight is gained back, it is usually in the form of fat unless the person becomes a body builder. The result is a change in body composition which causes you to lose ground in the long-run.

This does not just apply to weight loss. Any area of your life where you want to make improvements requires patience and a plan. The best approach is to patiently work through changes one at a time until you reach your long-term goals. Then continue with the habits you have developed as part of your everyday routine. That is why it is so important that the habits you choose to develop are things you can do for the long-term. While they may need adjustments now and then, they should be practical and sustainable.

Small Steps = Big Results

Making changes can be overwhelming. Remember, it’s the small steps that take you where you want to go. It is a principle called the compound effect where small and often seemingly insignificant actions are repeated consistently over time leading to dramatic results.

This can happen in all areas of life:

Health:                 

By maintaining a daily fitness routine and a nutritious diet, you may experience weight loss, increased energy, and overall improved well-being.

Finances:             

Small deposits into a savings account will slowly grow into a larger sum which will also increase with interest.

Relationships:       

Showing kindness, spending quality time, and expressing gratitude to loved ones can strengthen bonds and create more fulfilling relationships.

Focus on one task at a time, gradually building strong habits. As you incorporate new ones, be sure to maintain the habits you've already established.

Setting Specific Goals

Goal setting gives direction and purpose. It allows for actionable steps that will help you feel empowered to influences outcomes. Write your goals down so you are committed.

Be sure they are:

Specific       State exactly what your goal is  

Measurable Have clear criteria such as numbers, amounts and deadlines

Attainable   Select a goal you are confident you can achieve

EXAMPLE:   I want to increase my physical activity by taking a brisk walk 3 days a week for 20 minutes for the next 2 weeks.

Get Back on Your Feet

Expect to face stress and difficulties as these are a part of normal life. Have a plan of how you will get around these events and still maintain focus on your goals. If you do fall behind, get up and going more quickly this time than you have in the past….that is success! Don’t waste energy on frustration and being self-critical. Instead, have a positive attitude and self-compassion. Be sure to celebrate every win no matter how small. Then don’t expect perfection, just progress!

Remember, lifestyle changes are meant to fit your personal life. They come one step at a time with well-defined objectives, making gradual progress a little at a time. Be sure to enjoy the adventures along the way. These new patterns should feel comfortable and become a sustainable way of life.    

SaRene Brooks is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). She is a mom of 3 boys who are now married which added 3 girls to her family. 2 of her sons live with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She specializes in helping families who are impacted by type 1 to adjust and make it a part of their everyday life, while enjoying the things they love.

She is the wife of an avid outdoorsman and loves spending time with him in the mountains. She is a grandma, creative cook, educator and loves to help individuals and families meet their health and nutrition goals.