Deciding to start a new wellness journey is exciting. It’s one of the best decisions you could possibly make! But sticking to a plan isn’t always easy. We know sometimes the journey is hard, so encouragement, motivation and inspiration are essential. Here are six tips for staying motivated and inspiring wellness.

1. Celebrate the Journey

Keep your long-term goals in sight, but don’t forget about today. If you only think about the future and your major goals, it can get overwhelming. Stay in the moment and find reasons to feel good about yourself and your wellness decisions every single day. Challenge yourself to celebrate the journey and stay motivated by adding smaller wellness goals to your daily routine.

2. Forgive Yourself if You Make Mistakes

Be kind to yourself and don’t focus on being perfect. Instead, focus your energy and thoughts on moving forward. If you make mistakes, forgive yourself and move on. Don’t assume all is lost and give up for the rest of that day or week. Correct your course and keep moving toward your goals. Change takes time and with each challenge you overcome it will get easier, we promise! Remember lasting change takes time and practice.

3. Find Your Wellness Squad

Support your wellness journey by staying in touch with like-minded people. Find a workout buddy, join an online wellness community, sign up for group classes at the gym, or make a pact with a coworker to take healthy breaks. It’s important to tell people about your goals and journey, especially a good friend or community that will help hold you accountable and celebrate achievements with you. Also, seek inspiration and strength from those who have successfully made the journey before you, plus don’t forget to celebrate big (and small) achievements together.

4. Consult Health and Fitness Experts

Scheduling time to talk through your goals with an expert can be a tremendous help and a motivating force, especially if you are just starting out. A few sessions with a personal trainer will help you find a fitness routine that works for your body and current level of fitness. You’ll get a good workout, but won’t overdo it and potentially sabotage your success. A registered dietitian can help you make healthy food choices and come up with an eating plan that provides optimal nourishment to support your wellness goals. Your doctor can help support your wellness goals with advice and tips too.

Be sure to schedule check-ins every few months or so to help you stay accountable, modify your plan as needed, and celebrate success.

5. Keep a Journal to Remind Yourself of How Far You Have Come

Nothing is more inspirational than noticing real improvements in your overall health and wellness, or seeing small changes in your weight or measurements if your goals include weight loss. Those small changes add up to major success over time. Keeping a wellness journal will help you reinforce your goals and reflect on your successes. Make notes on your nutrition, mental health and happiness, workouts, daily inspirations and anything else that you want to record that is related to your goals, which will help you keep going and identify good (and not-so-good) habits.

Fill your journal with inspiration — selecting motivational quotes and pictures to help keep you going every day.  

6. Make Wellness About Healthy Habits

Make wellness part of your lifestyle and identity, not just a goal that you are trying to achieve. You will be more successful in meeting your goals and making long-term changes to your health if you embrace healthy habits as a part of who you are. For example, if you start to identify as a runner, you will be more likely to stick to the habit of running regularly than you would if you just look at it as a task to check off your to-do list.

Invite friends and family to start a wellness journey of their own, growing your healthy-habits community.

Support Your Goals with Wellness Supplements

No matter what your health or fitness goals may be, Swanson Health offers wellness bundles to help give you a head start. Here are a few of our favorites:

• More than Skin Deep Bundle — a trio of beautifying vitamins for healthy hair, skin and nails.
• Mighty Metabolism Bundle — stimulant-free support for weight management and metabolism.
• Keep Calm and Carry On Bundle — this self-care trio helps you say goodbye to stress and hello to relaxation.

Do you have your own tips for staying motivated and reaching your wellness goals? Share them in the comments below! Looking for more energy during the day? See Energize Your Mind & Body: Eight Tips for How to Get More Energy.

 

 

About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, Swanson Health Products

Lindsey is a nationally recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food. 

Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition and, ultimately, led her to Swanson Health.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.