New Year Resolutions & Pizza: 5 Ways to Cook Up Behavior Changes That Will Stick
Analogies can make complicated topics like behavior change easier to understand. And while I am no expert in behavioral psychology I am an expert in pizza. So for those of you looking to make some changes in 2020 here is a simple guide to behavior change, based on eating a pizza to help give you the support to build habits that will last.
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🍕Slice Them Up
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You can’t eat the whole pizza in one bite. You have to go one slice at a time. Break your goals down into behavior based goals to make them more manageable. Ask yourself, “What daily behavior goals can support my long term outcome goal?”
🍕Save Some For Later
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You can’t eat the whole pizza in one sitting, save some for leftovers. Trying to build new habits all at once is difficult, if not impossible. Focus on changing one behavior at a time. Consistently nail down that behavior for two weeks before adding in a new challenge.
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🍕Eat Your Pizza With A Friend:
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Pizza is meant to be shared and always tastes better with a friends. Accountability and social connection makes hard tasks more enjoyable and promotes consistency. Sign-Up for group workouts or nutrition counseling with a friend. Pre-purchase & schedule training with a personal trainer to create accountability.
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🍕Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
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Often our eyes are bigger than our stomach. This leads us to go all out on our new challenge right from the beginning only to get burnt out and fall off track. Instead of planning to go to the gym 5 times per week for 60 minutes start by going 2 time per week for 45 minutes. You’ll be surprised how small efforts, done consistently can have a powerful effect.
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🍕Document Your Pizza
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Just like you document your pizza on IG you should document your habits. It could be for the world to see or it could be a simple personal journal. Reflecting & journaling on your behavior change is a valuable way to promote positive internal dialogue and visually track progress.
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I hope this guide helps you have a happy & successful 2020. If you like it please share it and feel free to download from dropbox.