Healthy Habits for the New Year

Happy new year! I’ve gotten some questions on what I’m doing to get back on the healthy train this month so I thought I’d write a little somethin’. I’ve typically had something fancy and grandiose to tell you around this time of year, but I’m not doing a cleanse, detox, challenge, or program this time around. 

Something that’s really bugged me about diet programs is that they are never sustainable. We go from 0 to 100 in discipline and willpower, drastically changing the way we eat in a very short amount of time. The second something comes up - whether that’s travel, sickness, or just a rough day at work - that discipline and willpower wanes, and we find ourselves falling off the wagon faster than we could ever get back on. Four years into this healthy lifestyle journey and I just decided to kick this year off by getting back to the wellness habits I know and love. 

Food-wise, this month is about learning how to exercise discipline and willpower again. I’m meal planning, using the Clean and Whole30 guidelines as inspiration for most of my meals. In general, I’m avoiding dairy, and alcohol while keeping caffeine, grains, and legumes to a bare minimum. I’m drinking HELLA water and focusing more on plant-based proteins and fish. More than anything, I’m working on cutting out sugar and mindless snacking. I was way too ratchet with the sweet treats this holiday season!

What I am not good at is curating then keeping recipes in one place! Where do you look for recipes? Where do you like to keep yours? 

For workouts, I’ve got some fun projects in the works (more on that later), but for now, I’m starting each morning with Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga Revolution. Yoga with Adriene is so great for all levels - even if you don’t do the Revolution series, she’s got an awesome YouTube channel where you can find a yoga practice that works for you. In the evening I alternate between cardio/HIIT and target workouts for arm, core, back and legs. My target workouts usually include weight lifting, kettlebells, ankle weights, or dumbbells. If you’re looking for a fun and free challenge to get into, PopSugar’s Jump Start January workouts look great.

I’m also trying to get back in some of my favorite wellness routines: drinking hot lemon water, dry brushing, getting to bed at a decent hour, turning off all devices at least an hour before bed, and not being so hard on myself. Reading paper books has really helped curb my screen time before bed, so I’ve challenged myself to read 40 books this year in the Goodreads Reading Challenge.

I was not on top of the health and fitness posts last year but I’m definitely ramping them up again in 2017. Excited to get back in the swing of things!

What healthy habits are you instilling in the new year?