Change can be difficult. It’s particularly difficult when it’s a habit that you have held onto for a long time. However, change can also be great. When you’re trying to make a change for a healthier lifestyle, there are sure-fire ways to make it easier. Here are five smart tips to make a permanent healthier lifestyle change.

#1 Replace bad habits with good ones

Instead of trying to eliminate behaviors and get rid of bad habits, create new habits. It’s much easier to modify than it is to eliminate. For example, perhaps you drink a lot of soda each day. Trying to eliminate soda from your day may be a difficult task. However, if you replace soda with sparkling water then it becomes much easier.

Identify the habits you need to change and create a new habit to replace them.

#2 Small steps

Trying to make a major lifestyle change is extremely difficult. It can often feel overwhelming. Instead, create smaller changes that support a larger goal. For example, if your goal is to exercise for thirty minutes each day, start small. The first week, make your goal to exercise for ten minutes each day. That’s manageable and you will succeed. The next week, add five minutes to your routine. Continue adding five minutes each week until you’ve reached your goal.

Identify the big changes you want to make to your lifestyle and create smaller goals that support your change. It’s much easier to achieve smaller goals than to make a huge lifestyle change. You’ll have a smoother road to success. And it’ll be easier to sustain your new lifestyle habit.

#3 Reward yourself

Making changes in your life is challenging. Take time to reward yourself for your successes. When you achieve a goal, even the small goals, treat yourself to something nice. Get a massage. Watch your favorite movie. Do something nice for yourself. However, make sure the reward supports your new lifestyle change.

For example, if you’re cutting out sugary snacks you don’t want to reward yourself with a sugary snack. Instead, reward yourself with an afternoon off from work, or a new gadget or pair of shoes.

#4 Make it easy

Some lifestyle changes feel complicated. In fact, many unhealthy habits became habits because they were easy. For example, going to the drive through for lunch is easier than planning ahead and packing a lunch. You’ll have more success if you can make adopting your new habit as easy as possible. For example, you might pack your lunch the night before and do your shopping on the weekend.

#5 Cut yourself some slack

Change can be challenging. Instead of feeling down or giving up when you struggle, give yourself a break. Acknowledge that you messed up. Then turn and face the challenge head on with a positive attitude.

The key to making permanent lifestyle changes is to manage your expectations. Approach your goals with a strategy and a plan. Nothing happens overnight. However, with patience and dedication you can make complete lifestyle changes. Live a longer, stronger and better life!

It’s easy to say you’re going to work out. It’s much more difficult to actually make it happen. Failed workout plans add up and eventually you give up. That New Year’s Resolution, despite your best intentions, is a bust. Here’s how to develop a realistic fitness plan you will stick with.

Step One: Identify fitness routines or programs you might enjoy

One of the biggest reasons people don’t stick with their fitness plan is because they don’t enjoy it. They may actually go so far as to say they hate it. If you hate it then you’re not going to do it. There’s no reason to torture yourself. There are many fun activities that are healthy too. Consider:

• Dance
• Martial arts
• Swimming
• Walking/Hiking
• Cycling
• Yoga

Make a list of the fun activities you enjoy or might enjoy. Look around your community for opportunities to explore or add these activities to your day.

Step Two: Find small bits of time in your schedule to exercise

The best way to make fitness a habit is to approach it realistically. Trying to exercise for an hour each day when you’ve never exercised before may be a bit too much. Instead, try to exercise for ten or fifteen minutes a day. Or if you’ve signed up for a class, then fit that class into your schedule once or twice a week. The other days, exercise for ten or fifteen minutes. Making exercise a daily habit makes it much easier to embrace permanently.

Step Three: Celebrate your success

Sometimes it’s easier to stick with a plan if you have something to celebrate. For example, after a week of successfully working out each day you might reward yourself at the end of the week. Find a reward that’s motivating and still supports your overall fitness goals. For example, you can get a massage at the end of the week. You might purchase a new fitness outfit.

Finally, consider tracking your success. When you can see what you’ve accomplished it can be extremely motivating. You’ll be able to see the progress you’ve made. Track the workouts you’ve accomplished. Track the weight you’ve lost. Consider tracking your feelings about each workout too. For example, was it easy or hard? What level of exertion did you feel? How did you feel the next day or after the workout?

Developing a realistic fitness plan is about managing your expectations. It’s about finding something you enjoy. Track and celebrate your success. Acknowledge that every day may not be perfect or successful but over time you can and will succeed. To your success!