For some time now, I get clients expecting to have a restrictive meal plan and workout program to beat them down to the ground yet I start them off with small behavior changes. For example, I would encourage them to have a small glass of water before each meal. Simple, right? It frustrates them tremendously.
They want results fast, and what I ask them to do feels “too easy” so they’re skeptical that it won’t actually work.
To the contrary, what they don’t realize is that long term change requires consistency so creating this sustainable habit is essential. Small and simple is a more effective way to make lasting change. This isn’t just me speaking about this as a coach, either. It’s developed in psychology to create conditions that make maintained support process over time the most appealing and natural choice.
If you’re interested in reading more into it, you can check out reference [1] below. I believe it’s so important for people to understand this process in any habits they choose to embark. That way, if a challenge arises, it’s better understood when you feel some resistance to change. If we know why we are feeling a certain way, we can know the reasoning behind that rather than assume something of ourselves and make us doom to it.
References
[1] Manning, C. (2009). The Psychology of Sustainable Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-ee1-01.pdf
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