Skip links
Get a quote online
(086) 035 4944
info@elixi.co.za

Keep your 2019 health resolutions going strong all year long

Published on: Published in: Health Tips
It’s that time of the year again when we dedicate ourselves to bettering our lives, learning new skills and making a change. Let’s be honest, we all lose our health focus during the festive season – mince pies, family get-togethers, ice cream cones on the beach – who can resist? But, the start of a new 365-day cycle means time to knuckle down and get serious about our well-being. After all, who hasn’t set a New Year’s resolution regarding their health? No one. Health resolutions are some of the most common goals we assign ourselves at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, they’re usually short-lived. Not this year, however. We’re going to help you stick to your health and fitness goals, whatever they may be.

7 ways to stick to your health resolutions

Are you ready to make 2019 the year you take control of your health? Living a healthy lifestyle is a continuous effort, not a once off pledge and sticking to your health resolutions takes some determination and commitment. We’ve put together seven handy tips to help you stick to your wellness goals all year round:

Set realistic targets

Honesty is the best policy, even when it comes to setting your health goals. It helps to be realistic about your capabilities. While we all want the body of Scarlett Johansson or Chris Hemsworth, a toned physique takes an insane amount of dedication. That’s not to say you won’t get there, but if you set the bar too high to begin you run the risk of losing heart. Instead of one broad end goal, set smaller realistic goals which lead up to the desired result. So, if your goal is to drop 10kgs and tone up those abs break it down into achievable portions – such as 1kg a month. Hitting those targets will give you the motivation to keep going.

Reward yourself

The secret to successfully maintaining a healthy lifestyle is all about balance. Whether your health resolutions are to lose weight, eat healthier or both, if you stick to them too strictly you’re going to burn out. Make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. Reached a milestone? Treat yourself to a new pair of yoga pants. Eaten healthy all week? Go on, order dessert. Rewarding yourself each time you complete a goal will inspire you to keep pushing. But remember everything in moderation.

Share your goals

You know what they say, two heads are better than one. The same applies to your health journey. Smashing out those goals and committing to a healthier lifestyle is easier done with someone by your side. Whether it’s your partner, best friend or a family member, sharing your health resolutions with a like-minded person will help you both stick it out well into the new year. You can motivate each other when resolve weakens and celebrate your successes as a team. Even if they aren’t physically following your plan, a reliable support system will give you the encouragement to continue your wellness journey long after January ends.

Build a habit

More often than not, health resolutions fizzle out within the first two weeks. If you are committed to making a lifestyle change, you need to be persistent. Once you’ve turned your strive for wellness into a habit, it will be much easier to keep it up. Recent research suggests it takes roughly two months to create a new habit. Make sure you give yourself the time to cement your health goals into your daily routine. By the end of 2019, living a balanced lifestyle will be second nature.

Track your progress

Setting yourself a target is only the first step of fulfilling your health resolutions. You’ve got to work at it and monitor your progress to keep yourself on the right path. With health goals, in particular, it can be difficult to see the results at first. You might be inclined to give up if you don’t perceive any change. But, if you track your progress as you go along, you’ll be able to reflect on your journey and tick off your mini milestones as you reach them.

Give yourself a break

It’s inevitable, you’re going to have a few bad days along the way – no one can be perfect all the time. Don’t beat yourself up. All is not lost if you miss your morning gym session or can’t resist that last piece of cake. Instead of throwing in the towel when you hit a setback, take a breath and focus your attention on the next victory. A stumbling block is not a failure, just a stepping stone on your path to reaching your goal. If you stay positive, you’ll find it much easier to stick to your health resolutions.

Keep at your health resolutions

We’re all gung-ho about our health resolutions at the start of January. But some of us have run out of steam by the time February comes around. Don’t be afraid to reevaluate your goals and adjust your plan as you go along. If you find yourself struggling, give yourself a pep talk and start again.

Making changes to your lifestyle is never an easy goal. It takes time and perseverance to kick bad habits and replace them with healthy ones. In the long run, however, you’ll thank yourself for setting those health resolutions and sticking to them.

Keep your health at the top of your 2019 priority list with access to quality primary care. Choose one of our affordable medical insurance plans for access to prescribed medication, wellness screenings and unlimited network GP visits. Request a callback and let one of our knowledgeable agents get in touch with all the details.

You may also like