Autumn is a great time of year to kickstart a new health routine or re-start an old one that may have slipped over the summer months.  A change in routine, prompted by the return to the office or the return of a busy social life or even the change in season, usually induces a change of mindset. 

Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming but change usually arrives on our doorstep for a reason!  

If you change nothing, nothing will change!

So why not embrace the change?  This is a great time to focus on a change in your wellbeing and challenge yourself with a new health and fitness goal to prepare your body, mind and immune system for the upcoming cold season and beyond?

Choose your challenge:
- Lose weight
- Start a new hobby
- Do more exercise
- Improve your mindset
- Get more sleep

Whatever you choose, remember... the easy bit is choosing, the hardest part is actually doing it!  

So here's some tips on how to stay focused and achieve your challenge, helping to keep you awesome this Autumn!

Tip 1 - 30 Day Rule

It takes about 4 weeks for the body to adapt to a lifestyle change, so it's very common practice for people to give up on their new regime within the first 30 days. 

Stay strong and try to stick with your challenge for at least a month.  After a month, your behavior patterns adapt and it becomes part of your natural daily routine, making it much easier to continue for longer.

Tip 2 - Motivation

Everyone is motivated by different things so it's important to work out what your 'carrot' is. What are your goals? What do you want to achieve?  When do you want to achieve them by? Once you've worked this out, make sure you write them down or set reminders on your phone to help keep you on track and motivated.   

Tip 3 - The 3 C's

Commitment - Just like you would with meetings, social events, work...you need to plan time for your new challenge.  Commit a time on the calendar so you can't use the excuse of being 'too busy' to fit it in.  Also, share your challenge with others, whether you invite them to join you or just tell them you are doing it...making you accountable to others will improve your chances of success.

Convenience - Choose a hobby that you can access with ease from home and at a time when you will find it easy to get to.  If you're choosing a challenge like yoga or meditating, try to do it before the rest of the house wakes up so you are less likely to be interrupted or distracted.

Consistency - Try to be consistent with your approach to your challenge.  Engaging in your chosen activity for 10 minutes a day is much better than 1 hour a week or changing your diet for 1 meal a day is better than 1 day a week...this links back to the 30-day rule.  If you can get it to become part of your routine then you are much more likely to continue well into the future. 

So what are you waiting for?

Start today!  Let us know what you decide to change and how you are getting on over the next couple of months.  Whatever you decide, we hope you have some fun along the way and have a great Autumn!