The hardest part about developing healthy habits is sticking to them. But there are ways you can make it easier for yourself to do so! Here are a few tips that have worked well for me:

1. Make gradual changes

If you've been trying to get in shape and failing, it's likely that the reason is that your goals are too big. It can be easy to lose sight of what really matters when you're trying so hard to reach a seemingly distant goal. Instead of aiming for an end goal, try focusing on small changes instead of big ones.

Start by making one small change that will have a real impact on your health and fitness—like eating more vegetables or walking more often—and stick with it for at least seven days before adding another habit into your routine (my favorite habit tracker is called Habit Bull). Keep adding habits until they become second nature and lead up to the ultimate change!

2. Track your progress

Tracking your progress is one of the most effective habits for keeping you on track. Tracking your goals can help you identify when there external factors, people or situations in your daily life affecting how well a you stick to your plan.

Track your mood, energy levels, sleep quality to find out if certain healthy behaviors have a positive effect on these areas. You'll also be able to identify problems like stress eating or lack of sleep that can make it more difficult to stick with the healthy routines you set for yourself

One of the best ways I've found is writing a journal and having an accountability partner that is in the same journey I am. It's always good to have someone to give you that little push when you need it the most.

3. Reward yourself

One of the most effective ways to stick to habits is by rewarding yourself for completing tasks. The key here is to give yourself something you enjoy and it's not always accessible. For me, going for a deep tissue massage is the best treat, but it could be anything from a long bath to a day retreat. Anything you truly need and makes you happy so your brain can make those connections between consistency and joy

4. Don't compare yourself to others

One of the biggest reasons people fail to stick to healthy habits is because they compare themselves to others. When you're trying something new, it's easy to look at someone else and say "Well, they're doing that better." But don't let this get you down! Each person's journey is different. You may have a better time sticking with a habit because your personality or life situation makes it easier for you than another person (or vice versa).

The key here is not to compare yourself at all. Instead of worrying about what other people are doing, focus on the goal and the process. Focus on making small changes each day and don't worry about where those steps put you in relation to others' progress.

5. Healthy habits should feel like a natural part of your life.

One of the most important aspects of sticking to your healthy habits is making sure that they feel like a natural part of your life. This means enjoying the process and being able to maintain your healthy habits for years to come. Of course, it's not always easy or simple, but with a few small changes you will find yourself making healthier choices without noticing it.

Here's an extra tip:

• Make sure these changes you choose are doable in real life—don't set unrealistic expectations and if you find that is still hard to stick to your goals, surround yourself with people that will motivate you and help you thrive

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make healthy habits stick. The key is to choose the one that works best for you, and then give it time. The more you practice new behaviors over time, the easier they’ll become—and before long, they will feel natural and automatic.