Build Healthy Habits
10 July 2025 ·
✔️ Medically Reviewed: 09 July 2025 by Emma Southworth

Discipline is overrated. Let’s build habits instead
Starting out on your weight loss journey means you've decided to prioritise your health, which is a great decision. But let's talk about something important that can really make a difference to your success.
Discipline sounds helpful, but relying solely on willpower gets tiring quickly.
Habits, on the other hand, become automatic actions that keep you going effortlessly, even on tough days.
Why habits matter
Habits run quietly in the background. Unlike relying on discipline, habits don’t drain your mental energy. Building habits around eating well, moving regularly and looking after yourself helps your overall wellbeing. Good habits turn healthy choices into effortless decisions.
Think about it: what's something you do every day without even thinking about it? Brushing your teeth or making a cup of tea? How can noticing these automatic habits help you form new, healthier ones?
Building habits that last
Creating habits isn’t about huge changes overnight. Here’s a practical and achievable approach to setting routines you’llactually maintain:
Start tiny
Big, ambitious plans often fail because they’re overwhelming. Instead, start with something really small and simple. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, do two minutes of gentle stretching or add a vegetable to your meals.
Task: Choose a tiny habit you can easily start tomorrow. Write it down clearly and put it somewhere you’ll notice daily.
Link habits together
Your daily routines are powerful anchors. Connect your new habit directly to something you already do regularly. For instance, if you boil the kettle each morning, do your stretches then. If you watch TV each night, pair it with a quick set of squats or push-ups.
Task: Jot down your existing routines alongside the new habits you’d like to add, creating clear habit pairs.