Change isn’t always easy or simple and you should be so proud of any progress you’ve made. If you’re reaching your goals, you might be feeling a little apprehensive, wondering ‘what next?’ 

Remember when you learnt to ride a bike? That feeling when the adult supporting you let go of the saddle because you were able to ride on your own? Well, that’s where we find ourselves when we’re reaching the end of a journey to reach a specific goal. If you’ve been stepping along your path with us and are in the final stages, amazing! You’ve stuck with it and have amassed weeks of knowledge, understanding and dedication. You’re feeling fitter and healthier and you’re ready to go it alone. 

What next? 

This part is up to you. You have the toolkit to maintain your improved health and wellbeing and build on it too. Making further gains will benefit you over the coming months and years. Here’s our tips to stay motivated. 

1. Reflection. Think back to the beginning of your journey with Healthier You, remember how you felt, what you knew and what you were most afraid of. Did you surprise yourself in some way? Was your journey seamless or did you hit any bumps in the road? If so, did you deal with them well? What’s your most valued achievement? By reflecting back, we can often see what worked for us and what didn’t, meaning we know what to repeat and what to work on in the future. 

2. What do you want and why? Examine these key questions about your future. By figuring them out, you’ll be setting your next goals and your motivations. Set 1% progress experiments for the future. As your programme comes to a close, it’s a great time to think about your achievements and affirm that you can do anything you put your mind to. 

3. Live in the now and plan for the future. Reframing perceived failures and mistakes as key learning points can help us to let go of past choices and look forward to further change and growth in our lives. What kind of life do you want to have in 1, 5 and 10 years’ time? Do you want to be fitter still? More settled socially? Are you itching to change careers? By considering your future-self, you can make daily choices that will lead you to your desired outcome. 

4. Keep a journal. It’s a great way to track progress and spot patterns of behaviours. Ticking off tasks and challenges is rewarding and keeps momentum in our journey. 

5. Implement changes. If there’s people or places that take you away from your goals and personal growth, don’t be afraid to make changes, to your social circle, your workplace or your gym. 

6. Make a plan. As our old school teachers used to say ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ and darn it, they were right. We’re much more likely to remain motivated and reach our goals if we have a plan. It can be flexible, but if you’ve a firm idea of where you’re heading — and why — and what you’ll do to get there, you’re setting yourself up for success. 

7. Dare to begin. Believe in yourself. Start! Begin! Go! You’ve got this.