A new year and new decade is upon us. Are you making any changes or stepping up the healthy life you already live? So many of us use January as a kick-start month after a holiday season of poor food choices, skipped workouts and stress filled days. It does seem like the perfect time to reboot a sluggish routine. I’ve come up with a few ways for real people like you and me to start off the new year healthy.

• Eat Less Meat

For my meat eating friends out there (myself included) it’s time to step away from the ribeye. I’m going into this new year eating a more plant based diet. After watching Game Changers (Netflix) I realized I don’t need meat to get my protein. If you haven’t watched it yet you might want to. While it may be biased there still is a lot of truth in the benefits of eating plant based. Start with one or two meals a week and see where it takes you. Now to convince my husband. 😉

• Drink More Water 

If you’re not carrying a water bottle everywhere you go than you’re not drinking enough water. Everyone by now should have a reusable water bottle. There are so many varieties on the market to choose from, so find one you like and use it. I just bought a Hydro Flask  on sale at REI for my sister who is still using disposable plastic bottles. Good grief, are you really my sister? (JK sis, I love you!)

• Explore The Outdoors

Find a new trail to hike, neighborhood to walk or city to explore. Just get outside and move.  Instead of meeting a friend for lunch meet for a walk at the beach, park or window shop. Saves money and calories. So get outside and move. You’ll be glad you did.

• Walk

Go for a walk before or after dinner. My husband and I decided to eat earlier so we have time to walk after dinner instead of sitting on the couch watching TV. “They” say sitting is the new smoking. Netflix will be the death of us, so walk when you can. Walk on one of your breaks at work (take a healthy snack if you’re hungry like me). Walk to the store or park further away and walk. If you have a desk job, get up periodically and walk around the office (set a reminder on your phone).

• Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is important for recovery, so make sure you’re sleeping 7 or 8 hours a night. Go to bed and get up roughly the same time everyday for the best rest. Also, you cant catch up on sleep. Another words if you only slept 5 hours one night, sleeping 11 hours the next night doesn’t help. Take a power nap (15 or 20 mins) if possible, then go back to your regular schedule.

• Exercise

This is a running blog after all. I think everyone should run, even if it’s just a mile or two, but I get that not everyone wants to run. So walk, ride a bike, go to CrossFit, do Pilates or Yoga, swim, plank, lift weights. Do something. There is so much to choose from. No excuses! Start with 15 or 20 minutes three times a week. It’s so doable. 

• Take Time For You

Get a massage or facial once a month. It helps de-stress which can only be good for you. Learn to play that instrument you’ve always wanted to play. Visit with family (or not) or friends. Sit outside in the sun and read. Find what makes you happy and take the time to do it. You deserve it after doing all the healthy stuff above. 😉

Healthy living is a lifestyle, not a New Years resolution. We all have set backs now and then but get back on track and live the best life you can live. 

Do you make New Years resolutions? Is there anything you are changing or adding for the new year?

Thanks for reading!

                Denise