I often hear people say they just don’t have time to commit to a lifestyle change. I will be the first to admit that it isn’t easy to completely change your daily routine, and it takes a lot of discipline to get into the groove of it.

For years I have tried and failed to commit long-term to a better lifestyle for my own personal well being. I usually start out strong, and commit for a good couple of weeks and then fall off the wagon. I then feel awful about it, like I have failed the world because I haven’t stuck to it. Does this sound familiar? The struggle is real for so many!  I FINALLY have found a solution to it and I wanted to share the secret to my success! Are you ready?

Don’t try and change everything at once! I worked on these things individually and combined they helped me make a lifestyle change. Here is what I did:

  1. Get a daytimer – for some reason this works so much better for me then electronic notifications! I am able to keep to do lists, upcoming events, and work deadlines all in one spot AND I love being able to cross things off my list!
  2. Schedule time to workout – no more excuses of not finding the time to go to the gym, you literally need to put it in your schedule! Once I started doing this I no longer had excuses as to why I couldn’t make it, I am able to fit 3-4 workouts in a week thanks to this tip!
  3. Find an eating plan that works for YOU – it may take you years to adapt to an eating plan that works well for you. It’s important to understand that what works for some does not necessary mean it works for you. Over the years of trying many different things from being a vegetarian to weight watchers to low carb I have settled into the low carb eating lifestyle again. This may not be for you and that is ok! It’s best to try different things and go with what is best for you.
  4. Read a book – it sounds so simple but so many people don’t have time to read books anymore! A couple of years ago I was that person, and I changed that by……you guessed it adding books into my schedule. Try setting aside time to read a chapter a day, you’d be amazed how much you can learn from a good book! Here are a few of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
  5. Me time – stop feeling guilty for taking care of yourself! Schedule in some ME time, this could be anything from a coffee with a friend to a facial at the spa, a yoga class to a hot bath after a long day. Your well-being should be one of the most important things on your to do list.
  6. Stop saying yes to shit – this is a hard one to do! But the more you give to others the less you can give to yourself. Don’t spread yourself thin by saying yes to every volunteer position, to every request to support a charity or a friend, I’m here to tell you it is ok to say NO. This year I cleared a lot off my plate and I was able to spend more time learning new skills that I can apply to work, and I am so much more happier that I did.
  7. Trying to find balance – I am here to tell you no such thing exists, well not on a daily basis. Some days I find balance, some days I don’t. The important thing is that I don’t beat myself up over it! If you rocked your day at work but your dead tired and can’t cook dinner then order out!
  8. Do what you do best and farm out the rest – this applies to everything. For me numbers are not my thing so I pay an accountant to do that for my business. I am better off focusing on what I am good at then draining my time and energy trying to figure out something I am not good at. For you it might be hiring a cleaning lady so you can focus on something else!

I am 2 years into my lifestyle shift and feeling great about the changes I have made. I recently adapted the Keto lifestyle, it has helped me stay on track and away from sugars and carbs which in turn helped me lose a few pounds. My scheduling has allowed me to spend time at the gym and on myself which has helped my mental health. And organization has helped my anxiety so I don’t feel so overwhelmed all the time with everything that needs to get done in a day! Taking the time to read books has taught me so much about myself, and has helped me tremendously on the journey to making changes.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, take everything day by day for the best results!