How to end unwanted habits + start healthier ones

To be intentional is to act purposefully, with a goal in mind and a plan to accomplish it. 
                                           -Ann Epstein 


HOW TO END UNWANTED HABITS + START HEALTHIER ONES

1. Write down your daily routine. 

The first step before introducing a new habit is to write down your daily routine. Use this template to help get things started!  This task may seem tedious, but is so necessary in order to be intentional with your time.  The act of writing down your schedule versus just thinking about it will actually help you visually see what your day looks like as a whole.  You may realize some things you were doing during your day weren't necessary at all and were just an unwanted habit you formed. 

2. What parts of your daily routine are essential and nonessential? 

The next step is to carefully examine your daily routine and identify what is essential to your health and happiness, and what parts are not.  Determine what parts of your routine are necessary and get rid of the parts that are not.   This will help you have more time or holes in your schedule to include the habits you want to start! #noexcuses 

3. What new healthy habit do you want to start? 

Identify the healthy habit you want to include in your daily routine. Only pick ONE habit.  Starting a new habit is hard work!   Choose only one habit and once you feel comfortable that you have integrated this into your routine, then you can begin to implement another habit.  Please do not rush through this process!  It may take you one month or it may take you one year to feel truly comfortable with integrating your new habit.  

4. What part of your day are you most motivated?

After getting rid of your non-essentials in your schedule, you can now start to look at when you feel the most motivated.  This would be a great time of day to integrate your new healthy habit.  Adjust your schedule to make time for this new habit.  If there is absolutely no time available during this part of your day, then what can you do right before this habit to motivate yourself to start? 

EXAMPLE: 

When am I most motivated?
I am motivated the most in the morning after eating breakfast. 

What habit do I want to start?

I want to start a new habit of doing 30 minutes of a workout or walk.  However I'm already getting up at 4:45 a.m. to get ready for work and would prefer not to get up any earlier.  Sleep is important for me. 

What part of your day can you make time to start your new habit?

I do however have a job with flexibility.  Since I am a teacher I can integrate walking during my working day.  I can walk around at recess time while watching my students and even participate in movement activities with my students throughout the day for "brain breaks."

What will motivate you to start this new habit? 

The students will motivate me to move because they are always excited for active time during the school day.  If I put this activity on our classroom schedule the students will always remind me because they remember everything! 

Live less out of habit and more out of intent. 

5.  Make a plan.  

After you decide where to input your new healthy habit in your day, then start to do it immediately!  Don't wait for New Year's or on a Monday to  start.  This is your plan.  Remember, you intentionally chose the time of day when you are feeling most motivated or have integrated something in your day to motivate you to start.  There is no reason you shouldn't get this new healthy habit integrated into your life.  You deserve it! If you don't have your health, you have nothing at all.  

Want to feel healthier?
Want to be a good role model for your family?
Want to have more energy?

It all starts with being INTENTIONAL.  You got this! 

Did you need this template to help make your plan a little easier? 

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                          Always craving health + happiness,
                                                    Jillian