How to Make Yourself Do Hard Things and Follow Through with Your Goals

How to Make Yourself Do Hard Things and Follow Through

Pursuing health goals—especially when managing Type 2 diabetes—can feel overwhelming, especially for women over 40 balancing family, career, and personal life. Yet, following through with your goals, even when motivation wanes, is key to achieving lasting change. Here’s how you can make it happen:


1. Understand Your “Why”

Begin by identifying why your goal matters. For women with diabetes, your “why” might include improving energy, preventing complications, or being there for your loved ones.
💡 Action Tip: Write your reasons down and revisit them often. Keeping a journal or creating a vision board can reinforce your commitment.


2. Break Goals Into Small, Actionable Steps

Large goals like “control my blood sugar” can feel daunting. Instead, focus on smaller, manageable steps.

  • Example: Instead of “exercise daily,” start with “walk for 10 minutes after lunch three times this week.”
  • Why It Works: Small wins build confidence and momentum.

3. Plan Ahead for Challenges

Recognize obstacles that might derail your progress—busy schedules, fatigue, or cravings—and create strategies to address them.

  • Example: If you’re too tired to cook, have healthy, pre-prepped meals ready.
  • Tool Suggestion: Use apps like MyFitnessPal or Mealime to plan meals and track progress.

4. Cultivate Discipline Over Motivation

Motivation fluctuates, but discipline is about habits and consistency. Focus on building routines that make healthy choices automatic.
💡 Action Tip: Stack habits by attaching new behaviors to existing routines. For example, after brushing your teeth at night, take your medications or log your blood sugar.


5. Create Accountability

Accountability is a powerful motivator. Share your goals with someone who supports you or join a community where others are working on similar goals.

  • Example: The DT2 Solution Membership offers a supportive network of women focused on managing Type 2 diabetes.

6. Use Tools to Simplify Your Journey

Invest in resources that make it easier to stay on track.

  • Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) help track blood sugar trends in real-time.
  • Apps like Habitica gamify habit-building, making it fun and rewarding.
  • Smart Carb Mini-Course teaches strategies for mastering carb intake and avoiding blood sugar spikes.

7. Practice Self-Compassion

There will be setbacks, and that’s okay. Treat yourself with kindness and refocus on your goals without guilt or self-blame.
💡 Mindset Shift: View setbacks as learning opportunities, not failures.


8. Visualize Your Success

Visualization helps you stay emotionally connected to your goals. Picture yourself thriving—whether it’s enjoying life with energy, being active with your grandchildren, or celebrating your health achievements.


9. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Every small victory matters. Celebrate when you hit milestones like reducing A1c, increasing activity, or preparing healthier meals.
💡 Action Tip: Reward yourself with non-food-related treats, like a new book, a manicure, or a yoga class.


10. Stay Educated and Inspired

Knowledge is power. Learn about managing diabetes, nutrition, and health to empower your decisions.


Final Thoughts

Following through with goals is hard but rewarding. By creating structure, leveraging tools, and practicing self-discipline, you can stay consistent—even when it’s tough. Remember, the small steps you take today can lead to big changes in your health and quality of life tomorrow.

💬 What steps will you take today to move closer to your goals? Let us know in the comments!


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