New Years, New Habits

We all have set out on the First of January to change our lives for the better, then quickly realize making behavioral changes is far more difficult than anticipated. 

Let's lay out some tips for a healthier year!

1.) New Years Resolution: Cut back on drinking alcohol, Dry January?

Alcohol is well-known to NOT contribute to our health, no matter how many outdated articles there are promoting red wine's association to heart health.

Alcohol robs our cells of water, stresses our organs, and prevents proteins from binding together while proteins attempt to build muscle. 

This is all in addition to the excess calories and sugars that contribute to excess body fat while giving no nutritional value.

If your New Years resolution is to cut back on alcohol, you've probably felt overwhelmed at the idea of a whole month sober. Try this instead:

For one week per month, commit to not drinking any alcohol. Over the course of a year, this will amount to 12 weeks (3 whole months!!) sober. Giving your entire attention and effort to one week per month will lessen the burden of trying to overcome a month at a time. 

Successfully completing these "dry" or sober weeks will give your body a breather from the constant alcohol in your body and will provide contrast and clarity around how you feel when you do choose to drink. 

You will more accurately feel the effects of alcohol,  and may soon decide to extend your sober days to eight, or even ten days at a time. 

2.) New Years Resolution: Workout more often

I know first-hand that the idea of beginning a workout routine is extremely daunting and can leave one paralyzed in inaction. 

The idea of setting time aside during a busy schedule, driving to the gym, changing clothes, warming up, strength training, doing cardio, cooling down, stretching, changing clothes again, then driving home can simply freeze a person into waiting until next year.

Make it easy on yourself; redefine what you consider a workout. 

• Day One can reasonably be 10 pushups and 10 squats. Check.

• Day Two can certainly be just a stretch before bed, since you're probably sore from Day One. Check Check.

• Day Three might be a 20 minute walk around the block after dinner. Let's help that digestion AND burn calories. Check Check Check.

• Day Four: Bicep curls, planks, maybe some lunges? Spend 20 minutes doing these. Workout box checked for the day! Nice!

• Day Five: Walk after dinner again, you felt great last time. Check again.

• Day Six: Planks and then stretch, your abs felt amazing after planking earlier this week.  Sixth check this week!

• Day Seven: A couple pushups, a couple sit-ups, and maybe 10 squats, then another walk if it's not raining. Go walk to see the sunset. Seven checks to end the week.

Now, you have one whole week of undeniable proof that you can workout every day. Let's continue this momentum. You've got this. As time passes, workouts need to increase in intensity, but we can team up on that one together and strategize effectively.