citizensmemorial.com 13 Smart ways to stick to your health goals 5 stick-to-it strategies 1 Rethink your goal. Still right for you? Adjust it if it’s not a good fit. Make it small and achievable, and don’t overthink it. For example, if your original goal was a healthier diet, commit to adding one serving of vegetables per day. 2 Create an action plan. What steps will you need to take to stay on track? Write them down. Include how you will cope when you’re feeling challenged. 3 Focus on the process, not the result. Visualize your success, but don’t let it distract you. Zeroing in on daily actions can help you feel more present and in control while striving toward your goal. 4 Remove barriers. Set up your yoga mat before you go to bed, or put your walking shoes and jacket by the front door. 5 Stack habits. Add your new habit to an existing one. If your goal is to move more, for instance, park farther away from your office building and take the stairs. Or do some squats or pushups while your coffee is brewing. Micro-habits add up! Sources: American College of Sports Medicine; American Heart Association; Child Mind Institute; Children and Adults with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; HelpGuide It’s easy to get excited about setting goals to improve your health. At first, you feel strongly motivated, but it often doesn’t take long for that motivation to wear off. This may be especially true if you have attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other executive function deficits. You may have extra trouble prioritizing things, getting started and maintaining focus, which can make following through with a goal overwhelming. Even if you don’t have ADHD, you may still need a boost of motivation now and then to stay on track. These research-backed ideas can help you succeed. Be patient and kind to yourself. Health goals can be hard, but you can reach them if you stick with it.
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