I’ll be honest with you.
I’ve only done full workouts 4 times in the last 54 days.
- Once when I visited my parents.
- Another time, when our baby napped for two (!!) hours.
- The other two times, appointments canceled on me, and I seized the opportunity to work out.
Between my coaching, house chores, daughter care, and resting time, I’ve had no time for full workouts.
But, my weight has stayed at 72kg, I sleep 7-8 hours, and have enough energy to get things done.
What’s the secret?
That’s the trick I want to share today.
I know when to switch in “Maintenance Mode.”
Maintenance skills are different from pushing.
When maintaining your health, the required skills differ from pushing yourself to new limits or building new habits.
The truth is, 80% of the time, you are in “Maintenance Mode”
And you won’t see these skills celebrated on Instagram or going viral on TikTok.
The flashy stuff, dramatic transformations, and extreme challenges are the “push” skills that get all the attention.
But the real work that sustains your health?
It comes from those Invisible Maintenance Skills
Skills like:
- Establishing when to say “Yes.”
- Knowing where you can be your “Best Self”
- Connecting to your Deep Values.
The Power of a Pre-established “Yes”
Many people approach health with a mindset of restriction, constantly saying “no” to things like alcohol, salt, sugar, and other temptations.
While it works short-term, you end up feeling deprived and can result in burnout.
A sustainable approach is to decide when to say “yes” to indulgences or less-than-perfect choices.
For instance, you might decide to avoid sweet foods, but allow one slice of cake for celebrations. Or you might commit to cooking healthy meals at home, but permit yourself to order whatever when dining out once a week.
By setting clear boundaries ahead of time, you remove the need to rely on willpower in the moment, when you’re more likely to be swayed by temptation or emotion.
This approach acknowledges that life happens, and a healthy lifestyle is about balance, not perfection.
Lean on your guidelines to stay on track, while allowing flexibility and enjoyment.
Where are you your best self?
Consider the environments or situations where you naturally make healthier choices and feel your best.
Do you thrive in nature, feeling energized and motivated after a hike or a day at the beach?
For some, it is surrounded by supportive family. For others, it is in the structured workplace, with fewer temptations and distractions.
You can incorporate them into your life more frequently by identifying contexts where healthy living is easier.
By designing your environment to support your well-being, maintaining your health feels less like a chore and more like a natural extension of your lifestyle.
What is all that health for?
Remember that maintaining your health is about more than just numbers on a scale or hours in the gym.
It’s about having the energy and vitality to show up fully for what matters most to you.
Your health is the foundation for being present with loved ones, excelling in your career, or pursuing your passions.
Connecting to your deepest values and aspirations will motivate you to make consistent choices that keep you feeling your best, even amidst life’s demands.
Remember, your health is a tool that enables you to live the life you want.