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Home » Blog » Weight Loss

5 Simple Ways To Make Healthy Habits That Last

Published: Jun 2, 2016 · Modified: Jun 4, 2025 by Megan

If there's one thing I hear from people, it's that being healthy is hard. This message rang loud and clear a few weeks ago when a client was explaining how frustrated she was that she couldn't cook, meal prep, exercise, cut out soda and fast food and do everything her life demanded at the same time.

It's true. Being healthy is hard. You have to make a conscious effort to do it and be ready to embrace it too. But maybe, just maybe it doesn't have to be that hard. Here are 5 Simple Ways To Make Healthy Habits That Last.

How To Make Healthy Habits That Last

Change Your Expectations

We live in a fast fix world. We expect everything right now, right this second. Modern medicine doesn't help this either. We believe everything is curable with a pill or surgery, but when it comes to health that's not the case. Everyone knows that in order to healthy you have to exercise and have good eating habits, yet most people don't do this. Why? Because our expectation is that it should be quick.

Losing weight, getting healthy IS NOT easy. Change your expectations, stop trying to be perfect and accept that it will take time, hard work and unwavering commitment. Isn't that true of everything you've accomplished in life? Then why would you expect anything different from your body.

It's Not All Or Nothing

Many times we think it has to be all or nothing. It's OKAY to take baby steps. Let's say you want to give up soda. Instead of going cold turkey, try switching from regular soda to diet soda first.

5 Ways To Make Healthy Habits That Last

You'll still fulfill your craving but for a lot less caffeine, sugar and calories. While diet soda may not be the epiphany of health, it's a lot easier to transition slowly from regular soda to diet then diet to something else than to go cold turkey all at once. Transitions that are slow are more likely to have lasting effects.

Make Your Commitment REAL

When you commit to making a change, make the commitment real. Don't just do it for a day or a week. Commit to it for a minimum of six weeks.

Then ask yourself, how am I feeling since switching to diet soda? Do I feel better? Try drinking a regular soda and see how it makes you feel. By the way, I've done this and it feels horrible. The point is make your commitment real and tell people about it too so they hold you to it!

Do ONE Thing At A Time

People give up because they try to do too much at one time. Maybe you don't have time to do full blown meal prep every week. So what? That's okay! Focus on doing one healthy thing at a time. When I began losing weight, the one and only thing I focused on was walking 20 minutes a day. That's it! As time went on, I added more things.

How To Make Healthy Changes That Last

By implementing one thing, there's less change for you to adjust to making it a lot easier to stick with it. Over time, one healthy change becomes so routine you forget you're doing it. That's the point when you can add another new change. Over time those changes have a big impact which leads me to the next point.

Small Changes, Big Rewards

We often overlook the value of a small change in our lives because we don't see an immediate return on investment. Ever wonder how something as small as a snowflake can end up making the biggest pile of white fluff? Your body is like a pile of snow. It takes years (lots of snowflakes) of poor eating habits and inactivity for it to unravel from the healthy state you were born as. Conversely, the reverse is true. Something as simple as walking five minutes a day can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. That's a small change that has a huge impact on your health!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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  1. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

    June 02, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    Love these tips and habits really are the key to success. You can't just expect to one day be great at any of this, it's overwhelming at times. But little steps are the best! Love your 6 week minimum, I might be implementing that for myself 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:30 am

      Thanks girl! I have to remind myself too. You are not alone with the overwhelming part. I think it applies to many aspects of our lives.

      Reply
  2. Chris says

    June 02, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    I think the two most important points you make go together - it isn't all or nothing and to do one thing at a time. Trying to cut out some bad habits while incorporating other good ones can get overwhelming pretty quickly. Do one, then onto the next once the old habit goes away.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:29 am

      You're right, many of them go hand-in-hand. It's hard for us as healthy living people to remember how hard it is for people just starting out.

      Reply
  3. neil@neilshealthymeals.com says

    June 02, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    Excellent post Megan. You're so right, so many people try to do it all at one, like a "New Years Resolution" in one big bang, and fail. Small steps, small changes are the key. Once these foundations have been built, it's easier to build on them and a healthy life becomes the norm. 🙂

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:28 am

      Yes Neil! I fear too many people expect quick fixes because modern medicine gives us pills to cure everything. Our health isn't that way.

      Reply
  4. Taylor says

    June 02, 2016 at 9:32 am

    I just posted about small changes that can create big results on my blog today! I am starting with flavoring my water (cucumber, lemon, berries, mint, etc) this week when I am at home so I drink more water. For some reason I have no problem drinking it at work, but forget sometimes when I am at home.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:26 am

      I love flavoring water. I need to swing by and check out your post!

      Reply
  5. Kinzie Harvell says

    June 02, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I agree, babysteps. I found that the more I read and educate myself about the body the more interesting it becomes and the more important it is to me! Find something that interest you about exercising or nutrition and become a lifelong learner of how to nourish your body!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:25 am

      Educating yourself is so important. I couldn't agree with you more on this point!

      Reply
  6. Michelle @thedogtribe says

    June 02, 2016 at 8:25 am

    I love the way you make a healthy lifestyle more accessible with these tips.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:25 am

      Thanks Michelle!

      Reply
  7. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    June 02, 2016 at 8:11 am

    It's all about building the foundations. And that means making the changes sustainable!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:25 am

      You are so smart! 😉

      Reply
  8. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says

    June 02, 2016 at 7:50 am

    Love this! It doesn't have to be an overhaul on your life it's always a work in progress!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:24 am

      Thanks Kelli & thanks for the link love too girl!

      Reply
  9. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says

    June 02, 2016 at 5:06 am

    These are SUCH great tips! Healthy habits can feel kind of overwhelming sometimes but it really is just lots of small steps at a time!

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 03, 2016 at 7:24 am

      You are so right Liz! It's a marathon, not a sprint.

      Reply

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Megan is a nutritionist, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 stop dieting, heal their relationship with food and lose weight sustainably. Megan lost 80 pounds herself. Here you get healthy, lower calorie recipes!

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