We’ve all been there – we start off with great intentions to exercise regularly, eat healthily and take care of our bodies, but soon enough we fall back into bad habits.

Perhaps it’s a lack of motivation or time, or maybe stress and fatigue get in the way. Whatever the reason, ‘breaking the health contract’ is a common cycle that many of us face.

But it’s never too late to start fresh. No matter how many times you’ve fallen off the wagon, you can always begin again. Here are some tips to help you break the cycle and start your health journey anew.

1. Assess Your Goals

Before starting any new health regimen, it’s important to assess what you want to achieve.

Are you trying to lose weight, improve your fitness, or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle? Once you’ve established your goals, you can create a plan of action to help you get there.

2. Create a Realistic Plan

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when starting a new health program, so it’s important to create a realistic plan.

Set a schedule that works for you, whether that’s exercising three times a week or gradually replacing unhealthy foods with healthier alternatives. By creating a realistic plan, you’re more likely to stick to it.

3. Get Support

Do you have a friend or family member who shares your health goals? If so, enlist their support. Having someone to motivate and encourage you can make a big difference. Alternatively, consider hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness class.

Not only will you receive guidance and support, but you’ll also connect with like-minded individuals.

4. Take Small Steps

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to make multiple changes at once. Instead, take small steps towards your goals. For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, start by incorporating one healthy meal into your diet each day.

Over time, you can gradually add more healthy meals and make other changes to your diet.

5. Celebrate Your Successes

It’s important to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Did you make it to the gym three times this week? Great job! Did you choose a healthy snack over a bag of chips? That’s a win! Celebrating your successes can help motivate you to keep going.

6. Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress is a great way to see how far you’ve come. Keep a journal or use a fitness app to record your workouts, meals and other health-related activities.

This can help you identify areas where you need to improve, as well as areas where you’re doing well.

7. Don’t Beat Yourself Up

We all have bad days, or even bad weeks. Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up or miss a workout. Instead, focus on getting back on track as soon as possible. Remember, every day is a new opportunity to start fresh.

8. Find What Works for You

Everyone is different, which means that what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different types of exercise, foods and healthy habits to find what works best for you.

Once you find something that you enjoy and that works, you’re more likely to stick with it.

9. Believe in Yourself

Believing in yourself is one of the most important things you can do when trying to improve your health. Trust that you have the ability to make positive changes, no matter how difficult it may seem. You’ve got this!.

10. Don’t Give Up

Remember, breaking the health contract is normal. The important thing is to keep trying. Even if you slip up or fall back into old habits, don’t give up.

Every day is a new opportunity to start fresh and make positive changes to your health and well-being.