Consistency + Time – The Formula to Success

Even the smallest behaviors, when repeated over time, can lead to significant change.  Small healthy behaviors lead to longevity, while small unhealthy behaviors over time, lead to disease.  Habits are deeply woven into our lives.

Early research illustrates this and that is why Habit Change combined with Behavioral Support (coaching) has become the cornerstone of the Optavia Programs.  

Medical research has come a long way since Dr. A’s Habits of Health System was published with more and more experts confirming the importance of HABITS.  In a new study published in the Journal, Obesity, researchers found that study participants who consistently lost weight, week after week, were most likely to stay their course one or two years later.  Participants who fluctuated week-to-week experienced the opposite.

The study’s lead author said, “It seems that developing stable, repeatable behaviors related to food intake and weight loss early on in a weight control program is really important for maintaining changes over the long term.“

If you’ve read even a few pages of your HOH Book or LIFE Book, this should all be very familiar to you.  When failing to build repeatable behaviors (ie habits), you are likely to experience the “yo-yo” cycle: you may see some positive results but then slip right back to hold habits and the weight follows.

The Habits of Health are comprehensive, covering most aspects of life in order to create vibrant health.  Below are 5 key components:

1) A new habit takes, on average, 66 days of consistent behavior.

2) MINDFULNESS is required so that you become AWARE of why you are making certain choices so that you have the presence of mind to change choices that do not support your goals.

3) Start small.  Break big habits down into micro habits. For example, instead of trying to do 100 push-ups per day, start by doing 1 or 5 and gradually add on.

4) In the spirit of starting small, simplify the effort needed to get started by using our fuelings vs. trying to prep all meals, count carbs, macros or calories.

5) Partner with a Health Coach for the support, direction and accountability needed along your journey.

When combining these components, you have the tools necessary to establish consistency to propel you to your important health goals.  When any one of these components is missing, you risk falling into that dreaded yo-yo pattern.  So, begin your journey with CONSISTENCY in mind  …  and TIME. By taking this approach, the results will follow and those results can be INCREDIBLE!!

Your HC,

Beth