How to Form a Healthy Habit in 21 Days

With 2018 comes fresh beginnings and the opportunity to set new goals. While it’s certainly not a new concept, how often do you set out to redefine your eating habits only to fall back into your usual ways a few weeks into the new year? Whether you’re resolve to drink water with every meal, limit highly processed foods, or eat a hearty breakfast throughout the week, your healthy eating habits will take time to cultivate and develop. In partnership with Cultivate What Matters, a planner tailored towards helping you reach your goals, we at ENLIGHTENED are here to help you make (and stick to) your 2018 resolutions. Follow along to learn how you can transform your healthy eating habits into the new year.

 

Define your goals.

 

First things first: figure out what you want to change. Is it snacking unhealthily, eating out too frequently, or consuming less sugar? Once you have an idea of what healthy eating habit you want to pursue, you can make small steps towards implementing your new habit. By planning well, you’re setting yourself up for success.

 

Identify and derail existing unhealthy habits.

 

One of the first steps in forming a new habit is removingthe triggers that prevent you from making a change. For example, if you want to stop drinking soda with every meal, try ridding the fridge of the sweet, carbonated drink and replacing it with a water pitcher. Usually hit the pantry for some chips? Replace them with ENLIGHTENED Roasted Broad Bean Crisps or Marshmallow Treats.

 

Repeat, repeat, repeat!

 

Research shows that adopting a habit takes roughly 21 to 30 days. Regardless of how long it takes, one thing’s for sure: if you stick with something for long enough, it’ll last. While this takes patience and determination, making these small changes over and over again will ultimately benefit your diet and your overall health. Stick to it and you’ll soon see the results!

Reward yourself.

 

Forming healthy eating habits is challenging, so don’t hesitate to reward yourself in small ways for accomplishing your goals. Having something to look forward to makes it easier to stick with a habit if you’re feeling a lack of motivation.

 

Some recommendations:

• Grab drinks with an old friend–or give them a call if they’re far away

• Book yourself a spa day or enjoy an at-home bubble bath 🛀

• Pick up a new book and curl up on your couch for a relaxing read 📖

• Take an ice cream break🍦

 

Whether it takes less than a month, more than 2, or close to a year, you’ll certainly see the benefits of forming healthy eating habits for the rest of a lifetime. Check out how Cultivate What Matters can help you reach your goals, and don’t forget to enter our giveaway to win a free goal planner here!

 

What are your 2018 resolutions? Let us know and follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter for more recipes, workouts, and everything #TeamEnlightened.