7 Mistakes Women Make When Taking On New Wellness Habits

At times, we can be our own worst enemy in achieving our wellness. Frequently, we can self-sabotage our efforts to get and stay well. Extreme expectations, trying to do it all alone and judgment abound. These are aspects of some mistakes women encounter when trying to develop new wellness habits See if you can identify yourself in any of the following common hurdles.

1. Approach it from an all or nothing perspective. Whoops — just had a Hershey’s Kiss — may as well eat half the bag and stay off the wagon the rest of the day! If I can’t get in my standard hour of exercise, why bother? Remember that you can start over in any moment (don’t wait until the next day). Exercise (e.g., walk) in 10 minute chunks if this is the only way you achieve your desired time on a given day. Even 10 minutes of movement is better than 10 minutes on the sofa.

2. For those who are spiritual by nature, not leveraging that Source in attaining their wellness goals. Relying on and regularly connecting with this Source is a powerful ally. For those who believe in such a Source, it’s a reassurance and strength that you don’t have to go it alone.

3. Not having a partnership with their physician. Clue in your physician with the changes you want to make and why. They may have additional suggestions, resources and testing to recommend to support your goals. If you’re at risk for any form of exercise, find out what you can safely do and not do. Finally, if you don’t have a good working relationship with your physician, fix the relationship or shop around for a new one.

4. Not having a support system in place. Have at least one person in your corner to support and assist you with implementing your changes. Possibilities include a Wellness Coach, a best friend, a spouse/partner, a workout buddy, your family or roommate.

5. Trying to improve weaknesses instead of building upon strengths. You’ll move further faster (and feel better quicker) when you first apply your past successes and strengths toward achieving your new goals. Spend a bit of time in the past (not excessively, as stated in point 6), to consider the strengths you used to achieve your past success. How can you apply those strengths today?

6. Dwell on the past instead of focus on the present opportunity. What’s past is past. The body or energy level you had then, what you did and didn’t do. While your past brought you to today, it has zero influence on the actions you take now, in this moment, to create your future. Choose the future you want and inject a new bright energy to make it happen.

7. Neglect to celebrate milestones in healthy ways. Did you write in your food/exercise journal every day this week? Great! Treat yourself to People magazine, a new iTunes download or other small trinket that brings you a few moments of happiness (vs. eating a candy bar). Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Establish bigger rewards for when you hit the bigger goals.

If you saw yourself in one or more of these examples, I encourage you to take the action step of turning it around. Use mistakes like these for awareness, learning and growth. How can you grow toward your goals? How can you treat yourself like your own best friend in the process?

Copyright 2009. Priority Wellness. All Rights Reserved.

Chris Vasiliadis is a Certified Wellness Coach, working with individuals over the phone, helping them make their wellness a priority and master their well-being. For more wellness tips, subscribe to Chris’s free monthly e-newsletter, BeWell, at www.prioritywellness.com.