Avoiding Quick Fixes this Spring

As we start to look in earnest to spring, and a change in seasons, so will bring the a drive to improve our health and fitness. Especially after a cold and rainy winter and an exceptionally challenging past 2-3 years.

As a society that is rapidly moving towards convenience and quick fixes, none is more evident than in the health and fitness industry. 4,6,8 week “challenges” are heavily marketed, I’ve even seen 1 week weight loss challenges offered online…. To my utter dismay. But as anyone who has struggled with their weight, or indeed struggled to get results will attest to - there are no quick fixes.

50% of people stop their health fitness challenge before halfway and 75% don’t make it to the end. The 25% left over have achieved a varying degree of success.

Why? You can’t make SUSTAINABLE changes in short period of time. Because long term results requires a change in habits. You can’t just flick a switch and change the way you live, do manic amounts of exercise every day and eat a low calorie diet.

There are the odd unicorns who manage to make a huge change in a short time and continue with it for the rest of their life but it is so rare and based on the long odds, short term challenges are just are not the way to go to achieve the best results long term.

What you need is a way to make long term sustained changes easily, while still enjoying the things you like and actually living your life. A thing here at ReDefined we call Balance.

Try instead starting with 2-3 habits that you can easily implement. Walk 30 mins/day, eat until you are 80% full and the most important one of all - sleep 7-8 hours a night. Three simple habits to make a daily routine, that will have a massive impact on your wellbeing!

So the next time you start to think about self-improvement, I urge you to reconsider the “quick fix”. Look towards a sustainable approach that will also bring you happiness, along with your health.

Jimmy August – ReDefined Founder