To ask for tips on how you stick to things

[sunshinehayley]

So I'd like to do more yoga, take my vitamins every day, drink 2 litres of water every day etc etc but I can't seem to stick to doing any of it for vey long. I don't think any of these things are totally unrealistic to squeeze in every day yet I manage them for a few days and then they fall by the wayside. Ok life's quite busy as I work part time and have two dc's but still.....

How do you stick to doing things?

Routine helps, maybe take your vitamins with breakfast every morning? 2L bottle of water (refilled from tap before bed and popped in the fridge, makes it taste nicer somehow) and just carry it around with you so you've always got a drink?

The yoga I'm not sure I can help with. Maybe find a weekly class? Or a friend (or friends) to do it with, make it social too? With work and DCs, it might be good to turn yoga into you-time

Thanks for the practical suggestions. I think I really enjoy the novelty of starting new things but then quickly get bored and am looking for the next 'fad' if that makes sense!

As grumpy says, get into a routine, that will help a lot. Plus, be realistic, don't try and get into a routine of doing yoga at 5am then drinking 2L of water every couple of hours. Start a routine you know you can keep up, and gradually introduce things, like focus on drinking more water first, then when you've been doing it for a while introduce yoga once a week then build up. (I've just used water and yoga as examples because you used them in your OP).

Tackle one thing at a time. Get in a routine with that, then add others as you go along. The vitamins is probably an easy one to start with.

Could you set them out with a glass the night before so you'll see them? Or set an alarm on your phone to remind you?

Also, and this might sound obvious, its easier if you actually want to do it, rather than just thinking you should.

Agree with StuntGirl, it helps if it's something you want to do. Do you follow celebrity health crazes? Perhaps that's why you get bored easily, if you do?

I do kickboxing and archery once a week (separately, of course). It's something I've done for years, but very much outside the mainstream, even with archery becoming fashionable after the Olympics. Perhaps something a bit different would suit you better than a "fad"?

One thing at a time, make it a proper habit before you go on with next thing.

Obviously its up to you which ones you go for, but the 2 litres a day thing is bollocks here.

I only seem to be able to stick to things that are bad for me. I've not mastered how to have good habits like exercising and healthy eating

I was about to jump into this thread with advice on how to stick to the floor (following DS2 after he's eaten is the trick) but it seems I would be barking up the wrong tree, if I did.

First of all, you don't actually need 2 liters of water a day, so don't even worry about that.

Second of all, eat a more balanced diet and you won't need vitamins either.

Finally, build yoga into the time you were drinking water and taking pills.

Problems sorted.

NEXT!

I keep my vitamins with my make up and skincare under my sink. I also keep a plastic beaker there. Every morning I take my vitamins while doing my makeup. I find this helps me remember to take it- I keep telling myself it'll keep me looking nice and healthy :)

You don't need to drink 2 litres of water everyday. I find if I take a bottle with me in the car I'm more likely to drink it. Everytime I think about having a glass of juice I tell myself "No have water, you love water!"

I also tell myself I love excerising! I mostly work out at home since it's hard to get to the gym. I leave my house at 6:30am and get home at 7pm...not much time there. I tell my husband I'm working out from 7:00-7:30pm or 5:30-6:00am and find it's easier to actually do it once I've made a verbal statement.

For me it's not about lack of motivation but lack of time (plus being knackerd) I work a fulltime job, have a long commute, sometimes have to work evening events, model part time, have a husband who goes away on business, 2 kids and 2 dogs...

set alarms for vitamins. i do this when i have to take antibiotics so i'm reminded to take them at the right times. for the water, keep several jugs chilled in the fridge and whenever you're thirsty, go straight for them, don't get tempted by other things. carry around reusable water bottles for when you go out or are doing housework in other rooms.

for the yoga, you just need to set a time each day (or other day) and do it. maybe for half an hour in the morning or evening, whenever you know you won't be interrupted by tv shows/DC/work calls/etc.