It’s that time again – time to set new goals and time for a fresh start!  I personally am giving up sweets and taking a minute from shopping for the duration of January.  I plan to put a few extra bucks in my pocket and take a few extra lbs off my body!

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?  

Here are some tips for you to start off this year right and hopefully stay motivated to keep these goals soaring all the way through the year…

-Give something up, take something on.  Give up sweets, sugar or a clutch that you have.  Maybe take on something – a new goal, try for a 5k or a half marathon, volunteer more, get a big brother/little sis.  Give something up and in it’s place find something to work towards or something that will make yourself better.  In the end,

-Find healthy replacements.  As many of you know – I have a sweet tooth.  A big one.  Huge one.  So, giving up baking and sweets is a big move for me!  It’s about finding alternative, healthy ways to satisfy those cravings.  Since I have found Quest bars, my life has changed because those really curb my cravings for sweets.  Here are a few healthy options

Sweets – replace with a Quest bar – 20 grams of protein, 2 net carbs and 1-2 grams of sugar!!!!  Grab an apple or orange for a natural sweet taste.  If you need something before a workout – try a Gu or a Chia packet – these are filled with carbs and nutrients to help fuel a workout – especially a long cardio session!

Salty – Quest chips – my favs are BBQ and Salt and Vinegar, almonds.

*You can get the Quest bars and chips at Vitamin Shoppe (cheapest I’ve found), GNC or a local supplement shop usually.  You can find the Gu’s and Huma Gus at Fleet Feet

-Go Natural.  This kind of goes against my previous tip about Quest bars and such…but any time you can eat natural, cook natural and bake natural – it’s better.  Our bodies were meant for food from the earth.  Watch out for sugar, additives and processed foods – try to minimize this.  Veggies and protein, veggies and protein, veggies and protein!!!!

-Set a realistic goal.  it’s all about baby steps!  Don’t say – I’m going to go to the gym 5-7 days a week and work out.  Say – I’m going to go 2-3 days a week.  Start there.  Once you accomplish that, then bump it up. It’s a mind fudge if you overcommit and then end up not being able to take it all on.  This is how you maintain!  Build a foundation and then work on it from there

-Treat yourself!  Okay, you’ve set yourself a new goal – go buy some new running shoes or a new workout top!  (Unless you’re giving up shopping for January!) Everyone needs good shoes, so go by Fleet Feet in Green Hills or Cool Springs and get fit for some shoes depending on your specific goal.  Head over to Lululemon and find a new shirt or pair of tights to make you look good.  Look good, feel good, play good!  If that doesn’t suit you, then maybe you treat yourself AFTER you’ve achieved your new goal.

-Do something you’ve never done before.  Whether that’s sprint a little faster, run a half marathon , or go sky-diving.  DO IT.  We have one life, one chance and this is it.  So, go for it.  You won’t regret it.

This year – challenge yourself, get uncomfortable because thats when change really happens, set a goal and GET IT.  Make this year, this day, this moment – something to remembered and something special.

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes                                                        sweat, determination, and hard work.”–Colin Powell