While motivation is what gets you going, it’s not enough to keep you on track. Having a plan, being consistent and having daily healthy habits is what gets results! Life gets so busy! So, let’s focus on getting non-negotiable habits established that will help keep you on track, organized and set you up to win even during the craziest of times!

Take a moment to ask yourself: What habits are you creating that you can repeat? On the other hand, what habits have you formed that are not aligned with your current goals?

Use some ideas from the list below to start building your own non-negotiable habits.

Weekly Habits:

Prioritize your time. Look ahead to set yourself up for success. The more prepared you are, the easier it is to stay on track!

• Regular grocery shopping- Plan for when and where you will shop. If your schedule changes, have a back-up time, but do not skip it. Grocery delivery/pickup services are a great option if you are short on time.
• Meal plan for the week- Look at your calendar to determine what days you will be at home versus out. What nights may you need a crockpot meal or a meal on the run?
• Meal prep- Using your plan, determine what meals can be made ahead of time to save you time. Get yourself into meal prep habits like cleaning and cutting veggies, marinating proteins, and boiling eggs when you have time.

Daily Habits:

• Plan/pack your food for the workday the night before- Mornings are crazy! Take 5 minutes as you’re cleaning up dinner to plan what you are going to eat for breakfast and lunch the next day. Even just a little time set aside over the weekend or during evenings can make mornings so much easier.
• Exercise- Plan to move your body on a regular basis. Find an activity that you ENJOY and would be a good stress reliever. Pack your clothes the night before. Make exercise a habit by scheduling it as you would an appointment, at the same time on a regular basis. Figure out if morning or evening works better, make a commitment, and find an accountability buddy.
• Hydration- Purchase a beautiful water bottle and bring it everywhere. Leave an extra in your car just in case. Tracking water intake can be helpful. Try making it a game - can you beat yesterday?
• Food journal- This may be one of the most important habits to build. Research shows the most successful weight loss and maintenance occurs when people hold themselves accountable to writing it down. This habit allows you to see what is working or not working for you, from there you can make adjustments.
• Positive mindset- Remind yourself of your motivators daily. End the day by giving yourself credit, which will help set up the next day to be successful. Harping on an imperfection in the day will only lead to more negative feelings.

Remember, success is an accumulation of the small daily wins. One day on track will not get you to where you want to be, while one day off track will not undo all your hard work. It is your daily choices that determine your outcome. With that being said, choose those habits that support the person you are working so hard to become. No matter how small the effort, it all adds up!