Furthermore, we attempt more times than not to keep doing what we know because it worked in the past.

For some, that’s great because it develops habits that are somewhat beneficial. But they don’t help facilitate the changes, therefore causing your body to become stuck and less responsive to what you defined as healthy living years ago, maybe even decades ago.

As we age, it is vital to our health and well-being to adapt to our stages of life. No longer are you a toddler. Thank goodness!

Yet your stages of life can help to streamline what you need to change to match what you are lacking in your healthy living today.

So, how do you move from the frustration of thinking you got it together to finding better choices for today’s healthy living?

You gotta create a progressive path that continues to develop your health goals.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Create a progressive path!

Think about the progressive path as small strategic steps developing over time.

EDUCATE — First, it’s important to acknowledge that what worked for you in the past might no longer be effective. Rather than feeling discouraged, embrace this as an opportunity to learn and grow. This is where you educate yourself. Look for reliable information about nutrition, sleep, and exercise. And then experiment with different approaches to find what works for your current situation.

Consider science advancements. There might be something that’s available now that wasn’t ten years ago that might really make a difference for you. It could be medication, supplements, or various ways of eating or working out.

It comes down to not guessing, but learning. So educate yourself.

SUSTAIN — It’s easy to fall into the trap of crash diets or extreme exercise routines, but these are rarely sustainable in the long term. Instead, aim for small, incremental changes, based on what you’ve learned, the newest of the new,  that you can realistically maintain over time. This might mean making healthier food choices or increasing your daily steps, rather than trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight.

Maybe it’s getting a new mattress. Sleep affects your well-being. Don’t leave any stone unturned. Learn so you can sustain.

SUPPORT — You’ve gotta have support. Making changes is always easier when you have a community to support you. This might be a group of friends who are also focused on improving their health, or it might be a professional such as a personal trainer or nutritionist. Having someone to hold you accountable and cheer you on can make all the difference.

And keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a large group. It might be one or two or three people. But this is a special group where you feel extremely comfortable and safe, and can be blunt honest not just with them, but with yourself.

BONUS — don’t forget to celebrate the little successes along the way.

The little things do matter.

Every small step towards your health goals is an achievement,

“One step at a time leads to miles of greatness!” ~ Kristianne Wargo

Celebrate more than you hound yourself. Sometimes finding that balance is stopping the self-degrading comments in your head.

Remember, change is a constant. So make sure what you do for healthy living is relevant.

Life is not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about finding a sustainable path toward your goals that works for you, at every stage of your life. By approaching your health and wellness with an open mind and creating your now, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your goals and living your best life.

“Train for life. Love your journey!“