Anchor Habits

Let’s be proactive instead of reactive.

Suppose you have a big event to attend & you are worried that you might miss a workout or take a day off or even eat slightly more than you usually do, like most people are you going to give up because of one day of falling off track?

The usual mentality is “Anyway, my diet is ruined so now I might as well go back to my old ways and eat whatever I want today.” and then proceed to make promises like I will start over again from Monday.

What we do not understand is that Monday is never going to come.

Here’s another question :

If you dropped your mobile phone, what would you do?

Option A : Pick it up and throw it again & again till it breaks. I mean, you dropped it once so you might as well keep throwing it.

OR

Option B : Pick it up and be careful & remind yourself to be more mindful the next time.

What would you pick? Option B for your mobile and Option A for your goals? How is that fair to you?

One meal was not good, no problem. Let’s fix the next one.

We can always get back on track. Slow progress is better than no progress & all of us have good and bad days.

We should always opt for progress over perfection. We don’t have to get it right ALL the time, we just have to get it right MOST of the time and this is what we call “Anchor Habit”. Something that can be used for life & not like a 2-week menu diet. Anchor Habits are the real strategy for a healthy life.

Now that we have a rough idea of how life-altering anchor habits can be, we understand how powerful a small behavior change in our daily routine can impact our life altogether. An anchor habit is something that we do consistently, day in and day out, that creates a ripple effect of positive change in other areas of our lives. These habits give us a sense of stability and focus that helps us stay on track, even when life gets chaotic.

An anchor habit in relation to a weight loss routine could be something like waking up at 6 am every day and going for a walk. This simple routine can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. By starting your day with physical activity, you'll feel energized and motivated to take on the day ahead. This can lead to better productivity, increased creativity, and an overall sense of accomplishment.

How can we incorporate anchor habits into our lives? It starts with identifying the small but powerful behaviors that we can do consistently. These can be as simple as drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning, meditating for 10 minutes, or planning your day's meals well in advance.

Once we have identified our anchor habits, it's important to commit to doing them every day, no matter what. It's easy to get fall off track with life's distractions, but by prioritizing our anchor habits, we create a sense of structure and discipline that can help us stay on track. We all know that discipline > motivation. Practicing tough love is telling yourself that you love yourself enough to do things that will make you proud of yourself in the long run instead of instant gratification.

The best part about anchor habits is that once you build your life around them, it is sustainable and it becomes a key factor in the lifestyle you lead. Anchor habits are not like crash diets or short-term solutions that promise quick results but are difficult to maintain in the long run. Anchor habits are small, sustainable changes that can be added to our daily lives and have a lasting impact on our health and well-being.

The next time you miss a workout or eat one different meal, always remind yourself that one bad meal or one missed workout does not define you. Instead, treat it as a quick treat or a chance to let your body relax. Sure, there will be days when we slip up or deviate from our routine. That's okay. The key is to not let one bad day demotivate & derail us from our goals. Instead, we should focus on progress over perfection. Slow progress is still progress, and every small step we take towards our goals is worth celebrating.

So, now you tell me, do you think you can do this? Sit down and meal prep a day in advance. Make a list of activities and plan your day accordingly. Try and get in some steps, move your body, celebrate the fact that you can move around, and be ready to take life as it comes. Always tell yourself that you will be in control of a situation and an environment and that you will not let your environment or situation take control of you.

By committing to these habits and focusing on progress over perfection, we can create a sustainable foundation for long-term success and a healthier, happier life. So, go ahead and find your anchor habits today and start incorporating them into your daily routine. You will be amazed at the impact they can have.

And, always remind yourself to not overindulge in meals back to back! That's all :)

- Ria Vijay B (PES1UG20BD095)_ISA 1