Don’t Quit Your Health Goals: Why Setbacks Aren’t Failure

You likely already know what you need to do. Your practitioner has recommended specific changes, and you've set a New Year's resolution to lose weight or eat better. Yet, most people don't follow through with their resolutions. Why? Because there is a gap between what you know and actually implementing it. You've likely never learned the science of change and how to succeed despite health setbacks and weight-loss plateaus. (Source 1)

"Yet, most people don't follow through with their resolutions. Why? Because there is a gap between what you know and actually implementing it."

It's the New Year, and if you have health goals you'd like to achieve, this article is for you. We'll walk you through the common reasons people abandon their health goals, how to reframe health setbacks, and how to build lasting health habits.

Common Reasons Health Resolutions Fail

You start strong out of the gate on January 1 with a new diet, exercise plan, or lifestyle routine, but by February, it's hard to sustain, and old habits creep back in. You throw in the towel and try again next week or next year.

The truth of the matter is that big changes and overhauls are almost impossible to sustain. They work against your biology and rely on willpower. Willpower can vary from day to day but is ultimately limited. If you starve yourself using willpower, at some point food will be in front of you, and your biology will make you eat. (Source 2)

Here are some common reasons health goals and resolutions fail:

• Unrealistic expectations - You expect change to happen fast, and all at once. That's why promises of "lose 10 pounds in 10 days" sell.
• Lack of routine - You have a goal in mind, but not a detailed plan to execute it. How will you get there?
• Education gaps - You know what to do and the outcome you want, but have no idea how to build habits beyond white knuckling it. You view health setbacks and weight loss plateaus as failures when they are anything but.

In reality, change takes time. It's not a linear process; steps forward and steps backward are to be expected. It's time to reframe!

"In reality, change takes time. It's not a linear process; steps forward and steps backward are to be expected. It's time to reframe!"

Reframe Behavior Change

Falling back into old habits or hitting weight-loss plateaus isn't a failure; it's part of the process. Instead of throwing in the towel and giving up, it's time to reframe:

"Falling back into old habits or hitting weight-loss plateaus isn't a failure; it's part of the process."

• Plateaus, missed workouts, and overeating aren't failures; they are a normal part of change. Don't give up; pick up where you left off and keep going.
• Slow progress is progress. It's better to go slow, allowing you to form habits and physiological adaptation to new behaviors.
• You don't need to be perfect, just consistent. Consistency will get you much farther than perfection, no matter your goal.

"You don't need to be perfect, just consistent."

How to Build Sustainable Routines

The key to sustainable change and meeting your health goals is working smarter, not harder. Let's take the SMART goal framework to understand how to shift overarching resolutions into practical, step-by-step goals:

• S is for Specific - Turn general goals into specific ones. "I will take my Core Med Science supplements with breakfast."
• M is for Measurable - Set goals where you can measure (and celebrate) your progress. "I will take my Core Med Science supplements 7 days per week and mark each day on my calendar.
• A is for Achievable - Break significant goals into smaller ones that you can absolutely achieve. "I will read about liposomal curcumin on the Core Med Science blog and be prepared for my conversation with my doctor."
• R is for Realistic - Don't start with too much; start with a realistic amount you can do. Build consistency and expand from there. "I will lose 50 pounds" turns into "I will strength train 3 times per week, hit my protein goals, and take my liposomal supplements daily."
• T is for time-bound - Set a time frame for achieving each part of your goal. What can you accomplish this month and build upon each month? "I will order my supplements and dial in my routine this month." (Source 3, 4)

Final Thoughts

Habit building is one of the most powerful tools for long-term success and health outcomes. You already have many daily habits - are they serving you? Or do you desire change?

Instead of focusing on lofty resolutions, turn to evidence-based strategies that keep you on track after motivation and willpower fade. This new approach to health goals requires a mindset shift and tools (such as SMART goals) that provide a path forward, one small step at a time.

Often, starting with low-hanging fruit gives you an early win and sets you up for future success. Supplements can support your health while you work on establishing and maintaining other lifestyle habits, including nutrition and exercise. But don't settle for just any supplement; use high-quality, liposomal products from Core Med Science for effective, timely results.

"Supplements can support your health while you work on establishing and maintaining other lifestyle habits, including nutrition and exercise."

Whether it's Core Med Science Liposomal Active B-Complex Multivitamin or Core Med Science Liposomal Glutathione, customers report feeling beneficial effects almost immediately. With clearer focus and better energy, they can commit to their other health goals and see progress over time.

This New Year, it's not you that's failing; it's the structure of resolutions and trying to make big changes without a plan. Use the guidance from this article to try a different strategy, starting small and taking it one step at a time. Even steps backward count, and Core Med Science is here to support you along the way!

References

1. Arlinghaus, K. R., & Johnston, C. A. (2018). The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 13(2), 142-144. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6378489/

2. Bernecker, K., & Job, V. (2015). Beliefs about willpower moderate the effect of previous day demands on next day's expectations and effective goal striving. Frontiers in psychology, 6, 1496. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4604262/

3. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/how-build-healthy-habits-stick

4. Bailey R. R. (2017). Goal Setting and Action Planning for Health Behavior Change. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 13(6), 615-618. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6796229/