It's happened to me many, many times. Everythings great, the habit is there, I think to myself "How could I ever not keep this up?"
Then one day, the motivation is lost, something comes up, and I have to skip a day or two.
How I think about getting back on the wagon
- Health and fitness
- Start small again
- Make it fun again
Have you ever had a streak going with a new habit or routine, only to have it derailed by a missed day or two? It's happened to me countless times, and I know I'm not alone in this struggle.
One of the most common habits people try to build is around health and fitness. Maybe you've been going to the gym consistently for a few weeks, or you've been eating a healthier diet and feeling great about it. But then something comes up, and you have to skip a day or two. Suddenly, it's all too easy to let that momentum slip away and fall back into old habits.
So how can you get back on the wagon when this happens? Here are a few tips that have worked for me:
- Start small again. If you're feeling discouraged because you fell off the bandwagon, it can be helpful to dial things back a bit and start small again. This can help you build back up to your previous level without feeling overwhelmed.
- Make it fun again. Maybe you fell off the wagon because the habit stopped being enjoyable for some reason. If this is the case, try to find ways to make it fun again. Maybe you can try a new workout class or switch up your exercise routine. Or, if it's a dietary habit, try a new recipe or cook a favorite dish in a healthier way.
- Be kind to yourself. It's important to remember that it's okay to make mistakes and have setbacks. Don't beat yourself up for falling off the wagon. Instead, focus on what you can do to get back on track and move forward.
By starting small, making things enjoyable, and being kind to yourself, you can get back on the wagon and continue building healthy habits. Don't let a missed day or two derail your progress – with a little effort, you can get back on track and keep moving forward.
It's easy to get caught up in the results we want to see when building a new habit or trying to improve a skill. But it's important to remember that the habit itself is the goal in the beginning. The results we hope to see – whether it's losing weight, getting stronger, or improving a particular skill – are just a side effect of consistently showing up and putting in the work.
So if you fall off the wagon, try not to get too discouraged by the lack of immediate results. Instead, focus on getting back into the habit of showing up and putting in the work. The results will come eventually, as long as you keep at it. And even if you don't see the results you were hoping for, the habit itself is still valuable and worth maintaining.
So don't get too caught up in the end result. The habit is the goal, and by getting back on track and consistently showing up, you can continue to make progress and see the benefits over time.
