How to Tackle Positive Lifestyle Changes for Better Health

“How do you start making positive lifestyle changes for better health?”

It’s a question I get from my patients all the time. They understand that they can’t just go on a temporary diet or force themselves to work out for a month. They get that the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, increasing energy levels, and just generally feeling and being healthier in the long term requires permanent lifestyle changes.

My answer is always, “One goal at a time.”

Develop New Habits One at a Time

I give my patients tons of information, and it can be overwhelming. So can the prospect of making all these major changes. The key is to not look at the whole picture, but to break it down into small, easily managed individual steps. When one positive change becomes a new habit, you move on to another.

For example, when I’m redesigning a person’s meal plan, I provide specific information about how to eat for longevity, energy, weight loss, or whatever their health goals may be. I deal with their breakfast, lunch, dinner, and between-meal snacks. However, I always begin with helping them master how to snack more effectively. That’s the first task for the first week.

But someone always tries to incorporate the entire food plan during week 1 instead of focusing on just one objective. And almost always, they end up completely frustrated and wanting to quit before the first week is even over.

While I want my patients to be mindful of everything, all that matters is the current week’s goal. This way, new habits form one at a time, and developing a healthier lifestyle is a relatively painless process that doesn’t drive people crazy and fill them with demotivating doubts.

One step at a time. That’s the only manageable, sustainable way to make positive lifestyle changes for better health. Look at the big picture and your goals, then break them down into individual items you can work on one by one. You’ll accomplish far more and feel way better.