January is done and dusted! Did you set a New Year’s resolution? The classic ones being lose weight, eat healthier foods, be more active, get more sleep, etc, etc…. If that’s you, how’s it going?

Although we are huge admirers of anyone aiming to improve their health, we are a little sceptical about New Year’s resolutions. Dramatic vows to a ‘better’ self, usually turn into fads which get swallowed up by the grind of general life. Pessimist or realist view – you decide! Lifestyle changes don’t have to be all guns blazing. Longevity is more likely with gradual adjustments that you can tweak and build on over time. There’s many a truth in Aesop’s fable, the tortoise and the hare!

If you want to make lifestyle adjustments, habit forming is your greatest ally. We neglect to do all the things we aspire to because of old habits. Die-hard routines that we just do and have done for a seriously long time. According to Psychologists, it takes 21 days to form a habit, and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. Adding in new habits and whittling out old ones takes patience and time; it can’t be rushed. Sure, have a long-term goal in mind, but take baby steps towards the trophy, reminding yourself along the way why you are doing it. Prime athletes don’t train for a year to win an Olympic gold, they build up for years, changing and evolving in their slow procession to glory.

Whilst you may not be shaping up to be the next Olympic team member, the principles are the same, slow and steady wins the race. For example, want to eat healthier – eat one more portion of fruit or veg each day. Want to move more – commit to one more exercise session, or add in a 30-minute walk, each week. Need more sleep – go to bed 15 minutes earlier every night, that’s an extra 1 hour 45 over the course of a week. Stick with one individual goal for 21 days and then add in another one. You may only commit to one small thing every 21 days, but we are willing to bet that these little changes, consciously or subconsciously, will lead to other valuable changes too.

So, before you turn this page, think of one little adjustment that you will do for the next 21 days and start it now, or at the very latest tomorrow. The New Year hares may have peaked early, but the resilient tortoises are slowly pushing on, finish line in mind. Lifestyle change is a long, slow process but your personal ‘Olympic medal’ of a healthier you will be worth its weight in gold!