Do you love your job and family but hate the negative behaviours that seem to thrive on the chaos of your busy life? You’re probably desperate to eat better, move more and stress less but lack the energy, motivation or support to kick that bad habit that’s bugging the hell out of you. You know how to eat well, so why can’t you make it happen? You know how great exercise makes you feel, so why do you keep cancelling that yoga class? Maybe you’ve started to think that your health and fitness is simply an inevitable casualty of your career and family obligations? Any busy Canberra mum knows the unique challenge this city bring us. Just look at Budget week. For many of us it’s a time to see a year’s worth of work fall into place while the rest of you falls apart – the gym membership gathers dust, you eat three meals a day at the staff caff and need more than a few drinks to help you unwind. All of a sudden your ideal healthy self seems even further away than ever. There’s nothing worse than being stuck.   But if you’re feeling bad about your ‘failure’ to change….don’t.  It happens to all of us. So make room for some self-compassion and consider these five tips.   1. Start small You may have a bunch of things you’d like to address but instead focus on tackling one at a time.   2. Use success to build success Think back to when you used to go to yoga every week without fail, or eat breakfast every morning. What supports or strategies were in place to make this happen? And remember how good it felt to complete that task consistently? Tap into those past successes and the positive feelings around them to help you create new ones.   3. What is your why? What’s driving you to do something about this habit right now? To be a better role model for your kids? (Or to simply be able to keep up with them!) Identifying that ultimate motivator will help get you over the line towards action.   4. Set a goal It doesn’t have to be big….It just needs to be one step forward. Make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time framed (SMART).   5.  Celebrate your achievement! Reward yourself for taking the first step….and then take the next one.     Emma O’Sullivan is a Health and Lifestyle Coach and Journalist who is passionate about assisting Canberra mums to reclaim control over their health and boost their quality of life by building better habits. She loves walking her weimaraner Heidi and spending time with her two little ones.   If you want to make healthy changes in your life you can contact Emma at: www.ulysseshealthandwellness.com.au www.facebook.com/ulysseshealthandwellness ]]>