Good Health

Change Your Habits, Change Your Health!

Cammy Dennis cammy@ocalasgoodlife.com

Most know that embracing a healthy lifestyle can influence how long and how well we live. Aging optimally is closely tied to strong, capable bodies and sharp brains. You guessed it—this means regular exercise and eating healthy. Yet even with highly motivating factors, such as an increased lifespan and enhanced quality of life, many people have trouble sticking with healthy behaviors.

I get it. Change can be challenging, so let’s find out what it takes to build “healthy habits” and kick the bad ones.

Think Positive—Emotions create a “mindset.” Your thoughts, feelings, and expectations can influence meaningful changes in your body. Focus on what is compelling you to get healthy by focusing on your “why.” This enables a deeper, intrinsic motivation to help you stick with your new, positive mindset and keep you inspired to move forward toward a healthier you.

Make It Easy—If a behavior is easy, you do not need much motivation to do it. However, if the behavior is hard, you need a lot of motivation and that can wear you down. Over time, your thoughts and actions will drift away from challenges (i.e. eating right and exercising), so by removing the challenge, you make it easier to stay compliant.

“During Covid, I was at my heaviest and I knew that I needed to change my habits,” says Caitlyn Dye, a member of The Ranch Fitness Center. “I started by making small changes. From March to August, I lost 45 pounds by exercising 25 minutes every morning, using a calorie tracker to monitor my nutrition, and drinking more water. Those three things made a huge difference.”

Stack Your Habits—Instead of trying to establish your new habit with a certain day, time, or location, try pairing it with an existing habit. Your current habits are well-established—they have been structured and strengthened over many years. By linking a new habit with an existing one, you are tapping into a cycle that is already there. This helps to stick with your new behavior and boost success.

Examples of “habit stacking” are: (1) During my morning cup of coffee, I will write out my meal plan for the day. (2) After I make my bed, I will do five minutes of stretching. (3) After I clean up the dinner dishes, I will immediately pack my gym bag for the next day.

Linda Ford, an On Top of the World resident, says that when Covid hit, her entire fitness routine was halted.

“I knew I had to find a new way to work out,” she explains, “so I arranged with a friend to walk five miles every day. To make it easier on myself, I added walking to my morning routine. I had my coffee and watched the news then immediately put on my athletic attire and met my walking buddy. Walking with a friend also provided the accountability and socialization that I used to get from the fitness classes.”

If the passion you had for improving your health has waned since making a New Year’s resolution, try refocusing your mindset. What do you want in your life? Implement one of these strategies and get it!

Cammy Dennis is the fitness director for On Top of the World communities and The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa. She lives the lifestyle she promotes and has trained for triathlons throughout the state, aerobics while living in Tokyo, and various weightlifting events.