Many of us make health and fitness resolutions but struggle to stick to them. Betsy Mendel, a personal trainer, shares tips on how to get back on track and make lasting commitments to improve our health. It’s important to prioritize our goals, focus on creating positive habits, and make manageable changes to our environment. When we slip, it’s important to forgive ourselves and quickly get back on track. By scheduling our new habits into our daily lives and repeating this process, we can achieve the goals we set for ourselves.
Key Takeaways : Priority Health
- Prioritize your health goals
- Focus on positive habits
- Create a supportive environment
- Embrace small changes
- Bounce back from slip-ups
Prioritize Your Health Goals
When it comes to achieving our health goals, prioritization is key. Instead of overwhelming ourselves by trying to change everything at once, it’s more effective to focus on one thing at a time. By prioritizing our health goals, we can create a clear plan of action that sets us up for success.
To begin, make a list of all the changes you want to make to improve your health. This can include eating healthier, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. Take the time to assess the importance and interconnections of these goals.
Once you have your list, identify the most crucial goal that will have the greatest impact on your overall well-being. This might be losing weight, quitting smoking, or reducing your cholesterol levels. By prioritizing this goal, you can direct your focus and energy towards achieving it.
For example, if your main priority is weight loss, set a tangible and achievable target, such as losing 10 pounds by summer. This target will serve as a constant reminder and motivator throughout your journey.
Break down your main goal into smaller, actionable steps that you can take on a daily basis. This could involve planning healthy meals, scheduling regular exercise sessions, and tracking your progress. Remember, small steps taken consistently can lead to significant progress over time.
To visualize the prioritization of health goals and action plan, refer to the table below:
| Priority | Action Steps |
|---|---|
| 1 | Set a tangible goal: Lose 10 pounds by summer |
| 2 | Plan healthy meals and track calorie intake |
| 3 | Schedule regular exercise sessions |
| 4 | Monitor progress and make adjustments as needed |
By following this prioritization method and creating a detailed action plan, you can stay focused and motivated on your health journey. Remember to celebrate your achievements along the way and be flexible in adjusting your goals as you progress.
Focus on Positive Habits
When working towards our health goals, it’s important to focus on developing positive habits rather than just aiming for a specific outcome. By changing our behaviors and creating healthy habits, we can achieve our desired outcomes and experience long-lasting results.
For example, if our goal is to lose 10 pounds, it might be tempting to focus solely on the number on the scale. However, this approach can lead to frustration and demotivation if the desired outcome doesn’t happen as quickly as expected. Instead, we should shift our focus to the positive habits that support weight loss, such as cleaning up our diet and increasing physical activity.
By prioritizing the development of positive habits, we make a conscious effort to change our behavior. This could involve incorporating daily workouts, choosing nutritious foods, or practicing mindful eating. By repeatedly engaging in these positive behaviors, they become automatic and ingrained in our daily routine.
When we prioritize the development of positive habits, we shift the focus from short-term results to long-term success. In the process, we experience a positive behavior change that not only leads to the desired outcome but also contributes to an overall healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn
By cultivating positive habits, we create a foundation for sustainable change. These habits become a part of who we are and guide us towards making healthier choices consistently. The behavioral changes we make pave the way for lasting success and a healthier, happier life.
Benefits of Focusing on Positive Habits
When we focus on developing positive habits, several benefits emerge:
- Consistency: Positive habits help us maintain consistent progress towards our goals, making it easier to stay on track even when faced with challenges.
- Improved Well-being: Engaging in positive behaviors not only leads to physical health improvements but also positively impacts our mental and emotional well-being.
- Long-term Sustainability: By prioritizing positive habits, we create a foundation for sustainable change, ensuring that our progress extends beyond short-term goals.
- Positive Mindset: Cultivating positive habits fosters a positive mindset and strengthens our belief in our ability to make healthy choices and achieve our desired outcomes.
By focusing on positive habits, we shift our mindset from short-term fixes to long-term lifestyle changes. This new perspective allows us to embrace the journey and enjoy the process of personal growth and transformation.
Case Study: The Power of Positive Habits
In a study conducted by Stanford University, researchers explored the impact of positive habits on behavior change and goal attainment. They found that participants who focused on developing positive habits were more likely to achieve their desired outcomes compared to those who only focused on the outcome itself.
| Group | Approach | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Focused on developing positive habits | 80% of participants achieved their goals |
| Group B | Focused solely on outcome | 40% of participants achieved their goals |
The results of this study highlight the importance of focusing on positive habits rather than fixating solely on the desired outcome. By prioritizing positive habits, we significantly increase our chances of success and create a sustainable path towards achieving our health goals.
Create a Supportive Environment
When it comes to making healthy choices, our environment plays a vital role. Creating a supportive environment is crucial for those looking to achieve their health goals. By making changes to our surroundings, we can set ourselves up for success and make it easier to stick to our healthy habits.
One way to change our environment is by stocking our kitchen with wholesome foods. By having nutritious options readily available, we increase the likelihood of making healthy choices. It’s important to fill our pantry and refrigerator with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. This way, we are more likely to reach for these nourishing ingredients when preparing our meals and snacks.
Another essential step is removing unhealthy options from our environment. By eliminating temptation, we reduce the chances of indulging in unhealthy foods. It’s helpful to get rid of processed snacks, sugary drinks, and other items high in saturated fats and added sugars that can hinder our progress. Instead, we can replace them with healthier alternatives that align with our health goals.
“Our environment should be designed to support our healthy choices. By surrounding ourselves with nutritious foods and removing unhealthy temptations, we create an environment that makes it easier for us to achieve our health goals.”
Education also plays a crucial role in creating a supportive environment. By learning about the nutritional value of different foods, we can make informed choices. Understanding the benefits of whole foods and the drawbacks of unhealthy options empowers us to make healthier decisions. We can research and educate ourselves about portion sizes, macronutrients, and the importance of a balanced diet.
Here’s an example of how we can create a supportive environment:
| Unsupportive Environment | Supportive Environment |
|---|---|
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By making these changes to our environment, we create a supportive space that encourages healthy choices. When our surroundings are aligned with our health goals, it becomes easier to make positive decisions consistently.
Embrace Small Changes
When it comes to improving our health, small changes can make a big impact. By incorporating simple habits into our daily routine, we can take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. These small changes, such as increasing our physical activity and making healthier choices, can add up over time and contribute to our long-term well-being.
One small change we can make is to park farther away from our destination. By choosing to walk a few extra steps, we increase our physical activity levels and burn calories. Similarly, opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator provides an opportunity to get our heart rate up and work our muscles.
Another small change we can make is to replace sugary drinks with water. Drinking water instead of diet drinks helps to reduce our consumption of added sugars and artificial sweeteners, which can have negative effects on our health. Staying hydrated with water also promotes a healthier metabolism and aids in digestion.
By embracing these small changes consistently, we create healthy habits that align with our long-term health goals. These habits not only improve our physical well-being but also contribute to our overall quality of life.
The Benefits of Small Changes
“Small changes, when done consistently, can lead to significant results in our health and well-being.” – Betsy Mendel
According to Betsy Mendel, a personal trainer, incorporating small changes into our daily lives is an effective way to achieve our health goals. By taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle, we build momentum and increase our chances of long-term success.
Small changes also help us to develop a positive mindset and instill confidence in our ability to make healthier choices. These changes may seem simple, but they have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and empowerment.
Examples of Small Changes for a Healthier Lifestyle
| Small Change | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Parking farther away | Increased physical activity, burns calories |
| Taking the stairs | Improved cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles |
| Drinking water instead of diet drinks | Reduces sugar intake, promotes hydration |
Bounce Back from Slip-Ups
It’s normal to experience setbacks and make choices that don’t align with our health goals. However, the key to success lies in our ability to bounce back quickly and not dwell on past mistakes. Rather than trying to overcompensate or punish ourselves, it’s crucial to focus on getting back into our healthy routine as soon as possible.
Practicing self-forgiveness is an essential aspect of bouncing back. Be kind to yourself and accept that slip-ups happen. Remember that health journeys are not linear, and setbacks are part of the process. By forgiving ourselves, we can let go of any guilt or negative emotions, allowing us to move forward with a renewed sense of resilience.
Returning to our positive behaviors is the next step towards getting back on track. Reinstate the healthy habits that were temporarily neglected and prioritize self-care. Whether it’s getting back into regular exercise, sticking to a balanced diet, or practicing stress management techniques, reestablishing our healthy routine is key.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” – Nelson Mandela
Remember that healthy habits take time to develop. Be patient with yourself and allow room for growth. Maintain a positive mindset, focus on progress rather than perfection, and celebrate the small victories along the way.
A healthy routine is not about achieving perfection or never experiencing setbacks. It’s about cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges. By embracing resilience and self-forgiveness, we can overcome slip-ups and continue on our journey towards optimal health.
Prioritize Your Commitment
Achieving our health goals requires a strong commitment and daily reminders of our intentions. When we make a commitment to ourselves, we take our goals seriously and hold ourselves accountable. By prioritizing our commitment, we can build positive habits and ultimately shape our character and destiny.
To stay on track and prioritize our commitments, we can utilize tools like calendars or smartphone reminders. By incorporating daily reminders into our routine, we can reinforce our commitment and stay focused on our health goals.
“Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.”
Developing a Sense of Commitment
Committed individuals possess unwavering dedication and perseverance. They stay motivated and take consistent action towards their goals, even when faced with challenges. Developing a sense of commitment requires self-discipline, resilience, and a strong belief in our ability to achieve what we set out to do.
It’s important to remind ourselves of the reasons why we made our health goals a priority. Whether it’s to improve our overall well-being, set a positive example for our loved ones, or enhance our quality of life, these daily reminders help strengthen our commitment and maintain our focus.
Building Positive Habits
Commitment is closely tied to the development of positive habits. By incorporating healthy behaviors into our daily lives, we can reinforce our commitment and make progress towards our health goals. For example, if our goal is to exercise regularly, we can establish a habit of waking up early to work out or scheduling time in our day for physical activity.
Through consistent repetition of these positive habits, they become ingrained in our routine and require less conscious effort over time. This results in a greater sense of commitment and increases the likelihood of long-term success in achieving our health goals.
Shaping Our Character and Destiny
Commitment is not solely about achieving our health goals; it also plays a significant role in our personal growth and character development. When we commit to improving our health, we are making a commitment to ourselves and investing in our own well-being.
As we consistently demonstrate commitment and follow through with our intentions, we build a sense of self-confidence and self-trust. This cultivates resilience and strengthens our character, allowing us to overcome obstacles and pursue other areas of personal growth in our lives.
By prioritizing our commitment, we shape our character and ultimately determine the course of our own destiny. Our willingness to commit to our health goals reflects our dedication to living a fulfilling and balanced life.
| Benefits of Prioritizing Commitment | Actions |
|---|---|
| Increased motivation | Setting daily reminders and tracking progress |
| Improved self-discipline | Establishing and maintaining positive habits |
| Enhanced resilience | Embracing challenges and bouncing back from setbacks |
| Greater self-confidence | Celebrating achievements and acknowledging progress |
Repeat the Process
Once we achieve one health goal, it’s important to continue the process and set new goals. By repeating the steps outlined earlier, we can continue to make progress and improve our overall well-being. Each goal achieved contributes to our personal growth and allows us to develop new habits that support our health and happiness.
Goal achievement and continuous improvement are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By setting new goals, we prevent complacency and ensure that we always have something to strive for. Whether it’s losing a few more pounds, improving our fitness level, or adopting new healthy habits, there is always room for growth.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
Embracing continuous improvement allows us to push beyond our comfort zones and reach new heights. We should embrace each achievement as a stepping stone towards greater well-being, rather than a final destination. Our health journey is a lifelong process, and it’s the small, consistent steps that lead us to long-lasting results.
By maintaining a positive mindset and nurturing our commitment to our health goals, we can stay motivated and focused. It may sometimes feel challenging, but by reflecting on our progress, celebrating milestones, and leveraging the support and resources available, we can keep moving forward.
Benefits of Goal Achievement and Continuous Improvement
- Increased self-confidence: Each goal achieved boosts our self-esteem and confidence in our abilities.
- Maintained motivation: Continually setting new goals keeps us motivated and engaged in our health journey.
- Enhanced physical and mental well-being: Continuous improvement leads to improved overall health and a greater sense of well-being.
- Expanded knowledge and skills: Striving for new goals allows us to learn and develop new knowledge and skills related to health and fitness.
Remember, achieving our health goals is not just about the end result; it’s about the continuous journey of self-improvement. By embracing the process and committing to continuous growth, we can create a healthier and happier life for ourselves.
Utilize the Priority Health Wellbeing Hub
Priority Health offers the Wellbeing Hub, a comprehensive platform powered by Virgin Pulse, designed to empower members in their journey to live better and achieve their health goals. The Wellbeing Hub provides a personalized and interactive experience, offering a wide range of resources tailored to individual health and well-being needs.
Members can access a customizable menu of activities, programs, and tools that cover various areas such as exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and overall health. With a focus on holistic well-being, the Wellbeing Hub aims to support members in all aspects of their health journey.
The Wellbeing Hub allows members to track their progress, set goals, and monitor their achievements. By leveraging the hub’s personalized experience, members can tailor their health and well-being programs to suit their specific needs, preferences, and progress.
Whether you are looking to improve your fitness levels, manage stress, or make healthier lifestyle choices, the Priority Health Wellbeing Hub provides the resources and support you need to make real progress towards your goals. With its user-friendly interface and personalized features, the Wellbeing Hub offers a seamless experience for members seeking a comprehensive approach to their health and well-being.
Key Features of the Priority Health Wellbeing Hub:
- Customizable resources tailored to individual health needs
- Activities, programs, and tools for exercise, sleep, stress reduction, and overall health
- Progress tracking and goal setting functionality
- Personalized experience to suit individual preferences and progress
By utilizing the Priority Health Wellbeing Hub, members can benefit from a personalized and comprehensive approach to their health goals. The hub’s user-friendly interface, extensive resources, and interactive features empower individuals to take control of their well-being and achieve meaningful results.
Priority Health, a Michigan-based nonprofit company, is nationally recognized for creating innovative solutions that impact healthcare, aiming to reduce healthcare costs while maximizing customer experience.
Serving employer groups, individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, Priority Health offers a broad portfolio of products and tools through the Priority Health app, including a diabetes management program, to help members access the care they need. With over one million members, Priority Health is a leader for quality health outcomes, as evidenced by their Medicare star ratings of 4.5 stars.
Joyce Chan Russell, the Senior Vice President of Government Markets, leads the company’s efforts in serving employer groups and individuals, providing innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of healthcare consumers. For more information, individuals can reach Priority Health at 833.207.3210 during business hours from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Thursday, or Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, to take the next step in managing their health and lives with a trusted healthcare company.
Also Read :Â Top 10 Exercises For A Stronger, Pain-Free Lower Back
Conclusion
Achieving our health goals requires commitment, prioritization, and a focus on positive habits. By making small changes, creating a supportive environment, and bouncing back from slip-ups, we can make steady progress towards our goals. It’s important to remember that our health journey is a continuous process, and each achievement contributes to our overall well-being. With the support of resources like the Priority Health Wellbeing Hub, we can make sustainable lifestyle changes and improve our health and happiness.
FAQs
Q: What is Priority Health?
A: Priority Health is a Michigan-based health plan that offers a variety of insurance options, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. They aim to improve the health and lives of their members by providing quality healthcare services.
Q: What are the key benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan with Priority Health?
A: Priority Health’s Medicare Advantage plans offer comprehensive coverage, including prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Members also have access to a wide network of doctors and hospitals.
Q: How can I find a healthcare provider in the Priority Health network?
A: You can easily find a healthcare provider in the Priority Health network by using their online provider directory. This directory allows you to search for doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities in your area.
Q: What is the Priority Health member portal and how can it benefit me?
A: The Priority Health member portal is an online platform where members can access their health plan information, review claims, find cost estimates for treatments, and manage their health benefits conveniently.
Q: Can I enroll in a Priority Health Medicare plan outside of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
A: You may be eligible to enroll in a Priority Health Medicare plan outside of the Annual Enrollment Period if you have a qualifying life event, such as moving to a new area, losing other coverage, or becoming eligible for Medicaid.
Q: Does Priority Health offer plans outside of Michigan?
A: While Priority Health primarily operates in Michigan, they do partner with national networks, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance, to offer healthcare services that extend beyond Michigan, ensuring that members have access to quality care nationwide.
Q: What sets Priority Health’s Medicare plans apart from other options?
A: Priority Health has been recognized for the quality of their Medicare plans, earning 5-star ratings for their HMO Medicare Advantage plans. These plans are designed to provide comprehensive coverage and exceptional care to members.
Q: Can I access care at Spectrum Health facilities with a Priority Health plan?
A: Yes, Priority Health members have access to care at Spectrum Health facilities. As a part of their extensive network, members can receive services at Spectrum Health, providing them with access to a wide range of healthcare options.
Q: How does Priority Health prioritize health equity in their plans?
A: Priority Health places a strong emphasis on improving health equity and access to care for all members. They are dedicated to ensuring that healthcare resources are distributed fairly and that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their health goals.
Q: What types of health plans are offered by Priority Health in West Michigan?
A: Priority Health offers a variety of health plans in West Michigan, including PPO plans and Medicaid plans. Their wide range of options ensures that individuals and families can find a plan that meets their specific healthcare needs.
