Momentum means the force or energy (impetus) gained by a moving object.
Gaining momentum is like learning something new for example driving a car. First you would be awkward, you don’t know where the clutch, where the accelerator is , you get confused, you may press break instead of clutch etc,.
For a while as you keep on consistently pushing yourself and learning, you create patterns in brain that make you drive automatically without much of a conscious(decision making) thought. Now you talk on phone or eat a burger or simultaneously shout at your children and squabble with your spouse all while driving the car. Since the habit pattern in brain is created through learning and gaining skill your momentum would help you in doing certain things automatically.
It is similar in changing one’s lifestyle and sticking to healthy habits for long term. It takes time to try, learn and unlearn, do trial and error with the healthy habits you want to inculcate. Whether it is sticking to a sustainable diet or workout routine or meditation or to sleep on time, it takes time for our body and mind to get aligned.
You got to remember that it requires consistent effort and significant will power to push yourself in the beginning. Our brain resists any change or energy consuming task. Some studies suggest that it could take 60 to 90 days of consistent effort for something to become a habit. Until then you got to push and pull yourself to get that momentum. Once you gain momentum, you would continue with lesser mental resistance to do the things that are healthy for you. For example, a train engine requires lot of power and energy while starting as it has to pull all the compartments behind it from halt to motion. Once the train gains certain speed, then the engine consumes lesser energy and keeps going.
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