I failed because I declared that this special “date’ of January 1st would magically change it all. I would be motivated, I would be determined, I would be ready, I would WANT IT. The problem was that I didn’t. I didn’t change my life until I made the conscious decision in my mind that I was ready. I didn’t start when family kindly nudged me, I didn’t start because my clothes didn’t fit, I didn’t start because I was sick of eating McDonalds every day, I started because I WAS READY.
I was tired of feeling the way I felt and I wanted to live a different life. I’m not saying this can’t happen to you on New Year’s Day or because of a resolution, it absolutely can. I’m just asking you to think about WHY it is that you are making a resolution of any kind. The why matters. Are you doing it because you really want to, or because it’s the thing to do at New Years or because someone told you that you needed to? If you are doing it because you are ready and you want it for yourself, I’m cheering for you 1,000%, just know that you don’t need January 1st to make a life altering change, because it can be done anytime. I want to keep the focus on keeping a healthy lifestyle all year round.
I always say that small changes lead to big results. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it doesn’t mean you need a new gym membership and it certainly doesn’t mean you need to start a ‘diet’. Focus on daily habits that you can improve on to better your health, not just in the New Year, but anytime. Isn’t the point that you want this new lifestyle to be just that? A lifestyle? Not something that you’ll start then stop in a month?
Here are some of my tips for improving your daily habits:
Increase your water intake
Seems simple, yet how many of us are actually drinking the recommended amount, which is half our body weight in ounces? The benefits are vast ranging from increasing mental health, improved skin tone, increase in weight loss, protective impact on our kidney and much more. Drink it plain or flavor it with fresh fruit, but drink it often.
Keep healthy snacks on hand at all times
Who hasn’t gone hours without eating because we were busy only to overeat because we are ravenous? We aren’t eating enough and we aren’t snacking on the right foods.
My favorites are:
- almonds
- hard boiled eggs
- green apples with peanut butter
- protein shakes
- string cheese
- grapes
- avocados
When you don’t eat often enough, your body goes into starvation mode, holding onto everything and burning muscle, not fat.
Move your body daily!
This doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym for an hour or two to see benefits. If you can focus on moving every single day even for 30-45 minutes, the results are great. Join a running/walking group, go for a walk during your lunch break, park your car far away when you go somewhere, take the stairs instead of the elevator. When it comes to exercise, I truly believe in accountability, so if you are able to join a group or have someone to check in with, the success rate is much greater than you trying to stay motivated on your own. I also find that exercise or even finding the time to walk outside is a big stress relief. So get outside, enjoy the sunlight and move your body! It’s good for your body and mind!
Get good sleep
I know from personal experience how important this is. Even if you feel you are able to run on low sleep, eventually it will catch up to you. Your body needs rest. Most adults require at least 7 hours of sleep, yet only 1 in 3 are getting that much. Getting proper sleep is vital to your recovery, your mood and your general health.
Know that you can change your life anytime and that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to.
You are wildly capable of changing your current situation. Surround yourself with positive people who will support you, not sabotage you. Find friends to buddy up with or start an accountability group at work. If you ever need motivation or a pep talk, I’m always a coffee date or phone call away. Here’s to you living your best life in 2020 and beyond!
