Creating goals is an essential part of improving your health. Whether your goals are big or small, tracking your progress and celebrating achievements can help you stay motivated to achieve change. Here are some ways to measure your progress to keep you on track:
Measurable factor: How you perform
- How’s your consistency? Are you making small changes and sticking with them daily? Are you finding ways to be active or care for your mental health even with a busy schedule? Building consistency helps healthy habits become second nature. You may even find yourself craving those feel-good endorphins!
- How’s your physical performance? Are you gaining strength, improving your endurance, or noticing some visible muscle? Maybe you’re no longer winded on your walk around the neighborhood or when you’re playing with your kids. These performance markers are one great way to measure progress.
Measurable factor: How your body changes
- How does the scale react? The scale can be a tool to measure progress but does not always tell the entire story. Be conscious of other useful (and sometimes better) indicators like waist circumference that let you know if you’re progressing.
- How are your biometrics? Healthy habits like being active, eating nutritiously and managing stress well can make a positive impact the next time you have your blood pressure, cholesterol or blood glucose checked. These improvements can even lead to your doctor reducing your medication dosage or removing a medication altogether.
Measurable factor: How you feel
- How’s your sleep? Have you implemented a consistent bedtime routine? Once asleep, are you staying asleep and feeling well-rested after waking? Sleep allows your mind and body to recover from activities, so prioritize quality sleep to reap the benefits of rest.
- How’s your relationship with food? Nutrition can fuel your body, make you stronger and keep your energy levels up, so remember to stay balanced to nurture a positive relationship with food.
- How’s your mental health? Do you feel more mentally resilient or optimistic after staying dedicated to your health goals? Incorporating stress management techniques can lead to more mental clarity and happiness.
Overall, confidence is one of the best ways to stay on track with your wellness goals. You’ll find that when you do the things you once thought impossible, you feel more fulfilled and satisfied with life. Remember that progress can be measured in various ways and that obstacles are temporary. You’ve got this!
