Let's do this 2018

"New year, new me."

"I'm going to be better about working out."

"This year I'm going to eat healthier."

Every New Year's Eve we're brimming full with positivity and optimism about the goals that we hope to accomplish in the coming year. But something always happens between January 1st and the end of the month. Life gets in the way. Work picks back up. You skip your healthy dinner once but justify having that no-good cheat meal "just this once." You skip your workout class one day because you're tired and not feeling it and then suddenly you realize it's been two weeks since the last time you worked out.

I know I personally have done or experienced every single one of these scenarios. Even with the best of intentions, making a drastic lifestyle change is really hard. We've made these resolutions before and they haven't stuck.... so why should this year be any different? I'm hopeful that this year with the right tools, mindset and level of commitment that reaching my goals will be less of a shot in the dark and more of a well thought out plan that I'm capable of executing.

Here are a few tools that I'm using this year to help keep me on track with my health and fitness goals:

1. Financially commit to your workouts

If I've paid $150 for a gym membership or a series of workout classes, there is no way I am letting that money go to waste. In my experience, at home workouts are the easiest ones to skip and avoid. While it may be appealing to not have to leave the house in order to workout, it's probably not going to lead to the best results and consistent workouts. So find a class or a gym that you love, and then put your money where your mouth is! Pay for the classes, introduce yourself to the instructors or gym employees. Building relationships with the people who will be surrounding you and encouraging you on your fitness journey will help keep you accountable. I've done barre and kickboxing in the past, and this year I'm signing up for Orange Theory. I've worked out at OT a few times before and while I was DEAD after each intense interval based workout, I felt better after every session.

2. Plan your meals and find healthy foods that you love

I'm a snacker by nature. I've never been one to sit down and eat three huge meals a day. Rather, I graze and eat little bits here and there whenever I'm hungry. What this usually means is I eat one healthy snack or small meal, then get hungry a few hours later and reach for the chips or more caffeine. I've found that having a general plan for what I'm going to eat helps me stay on track and keeps me from over-snacking. I have to be at work by 6 AM every day (so early!) so the only way to ensure that I'm going to have fulfilling, healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches is to prepare them ahead of time. I am totally hooked on the book Body Love by Kelly LeVeque. Kelly focuses on "the fab four" in all of her recipes and smoothies. Including "the fab four"-- protein, fat, fiber and greens-- in every meal and smoothie ensures that you will actually feel full and be supplying your body with the nutrients it craves with each and every meal. I used to think that throwing a bunch of fruit and some concentrate juice into a blender was a healthy replacement for a meal, but as Kelly points out that is essentially just you throwing a lot of sugar into your system and hoping it makes you feel full for a little while. Drinking one of Kelly's fab four smoothies every morning for breakfast and preparing lunches (usually consisting of lean grilled chicken or turkey and healthy grains like quinoa) helps me to feel full, energized and excited about my meals.

3. Set obtainable goals

Wouldn't it be great if you could eat well and workout consistently for two weeks and magically see all of your desired results? Unfortunately, in order to really see changes in your overall health, size, energy levels and mentality about health and fitness you're going to have to put in a lot of work. I certainly get frustrated when I feel like I've been on top of my food and fitness game but then I don't see any obvious results or changes in myself. Change takes time so setting goals for yourself as you embark on your fitness journey is crucial. Setting small, obtainable goals that you can constantly reach will keep you motivated and feeling good. Try a new healthy food every week. Aim to run a little bit further each month. Try a new type of workout on the weekend. As you reach each smaller milestones along the way you'll feel more confident and capable in your journey to your end goal.

4. Remember to have fun

It sounds so corny, but it is so important to remember that working out and eating well can (and should be) fun! Make sure that whatever workout plan or routine you choose is something that excites you and makes you feel good. Find healthy recipes and meal options that you crave so you're not miserable and dreading having to eat them. It takes work, but once you find what works for you it's amazing how fun and exciting it can be.

I've rambled on a lot about accountability and commitment to these healthy changes, which is part of why I decided to write about my resolutions. I'm hoping that sharing my plan here will help keep me motivated and accountable.

Let's do this 2018.