As I was checking in for a yoga class last week, the instructor handed me a post-it note and asked me to write down one word that I wanted to commit to for that particular class but also for the entire year.
I don’t typically make New Year’s Resolutions, because they are hard to stick to, they get forgotten about, and I don’t necessarily need/want to make any drastic changes. Instead, I consciously make decisions, on a daily basis, that will benefit and enhance the person that I already am. I try to make decisions that will improve my well-being, but just like everyone else I make bad decisions – I recognize them, don’t beat myself up over them, and get back on track as quickly as I can.
On my little post-it note that the yoga instructor handed to me, I wrote “maintain health and wellness”. Maintaining health and wellness is not hard to do, it’s the time and commitment that’s hard. My commitment to myself this year is that I will STAY committed and continue allowing myself the time – making my health and well-being my #1 priority.
Luckily, I have an awesome boyfriend who is supportive of my commitments and has committed to his own health and well-being as well. I think it’s important to surround yourself with people who are share the same goals, desires, and hobbies as yourself. I once heard someone say that you are the average of the 5 people that you spend the most time with and I completely agree. I took a look at the people I was surrounded by and realized that I had some negativity and bad energy in my circle – I got rid of them and can proudly say that my 5 people, the people I hang out with most often are positive, healthy, happy. successful individuals. I do realize that I became more happy, healthy, and successful when I changed my circle.
Below are a few more things that I like to do and/or recommend my friends do in order to maintain my health and well-being:
YOGA!
Yoga is an exercise for your mental health, physical body, and spirit. It completely transforms your mind and body. Yoga helps to relieve stress, tension, muscle ache, heart ache, and anxiety. Yoga leads to meditation, which will help clear your mind and allow you to think more clearly.
After a yoga practice, I feel like I’m glowing inside and out.
On different days, I choose different types of yoga for different reasons – no matter what is going on in my life, no matter what my needs are, yoga is ALWAYS relevant.
Yoga is also about community – when you visit a yoga studio, you will find positive energy, make new friends, and leave will a feeling of fulfillment. When I meet fellow yogi’s, I’m always interested to hear their story – I know there is one, and I know it’ll always be a good one.
Whether you are an athlete, non-athletic, spiritual, or not, flexible, or not, there is a yoga practice that will enhance your lifestyle, through words, meditation, or physical practice – I promise you that.
GREEN SMOOTHIES!
Green smoothies are the bomb! Looking at them, one may think they won’t be tasty, however when blended with sweet fruits, the taste of the healthy greens is disguised.
Green smoothies have a multitude of benefits including: an increased intake of fiber, an increased intake of fruits & veggies, natural weight loss, hydration, increased energy, mental clarity, clearer skin, reduced cravings, and overall better body function.
To kickstart health & wellness this year, one of the best things you can do is ditch the morning coffee and replace it with a healthy green smoothie!
Here are a few green smoothie recipes to get you started:
Avocado Pineapple Smoothie
Orange Greensicle
Tart Green Apple
Strawberry Spinach Kiwi
Berry + Kale
DON’T WAIT TO GET IN SHAPE!
New Year, New You, right?
We’ve all been there, and we’ve all said it.
We all also talk about getting in shape for bikini season.
Do yourself a favor this year, and don’t wait until bikini season to get in shape – start NOW!
There are so many fun things you can do in the winter months to stay in shape: hot yoga, indoor rock climbing, indoor swimming pools (+ sauna & hot tub!), or get a Class Pass… and since you’ll be indoors more during the cold months, it’s the perfect time to get more familiar with your kitchen and do some healthy cooking!
My boyfriend is a tri-athlete and trains hard during the season, then typically takes some time off during the off-season. This year, he decided to not take any time off so that when Tri Season approached, he wouldn’t have to get “back in shape.” I like his style, and am inspired by it.
PLAN ACTIVE VACATIONS / WELLNESS RETREATS!
We all know that vacations/getaways are necessary for your mind, your sanity, and productivity. Your mind and body both need breaks from routine. And anyway, life should be about having some fun! If you work, work, work, and never play – what’s the point? My favorite thing to do is go on vacation, or even take quick 1-3 day getaways. I feel like I’m winning when I allow myself the opportunity to do something different than I’ve ever done, go somewhere I’ve never gone, or even just do something out of my ordinary. I have made it my job to plan my vacations around eating healthy food, doing yoga somewhere new, being active, and experiencing something different than the typical traveler would experience. I also like to relax, unwind, beach, and enjoy a cocktail or two 
When planning your next vacation, think about a place that offers hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, or fitness in the park.
If you’re booking a beach vacation, pack a pair of goggles so you can swim a few laps every day.
Look for yoga events, yoga on the beach, or yoga on a stand-up paddle board.
If you’re not near a beach, find a local state park, a cool place to hike, or even a local gym.
Regardless of where you go, there are always fun ways to keep yourself active, you’ve just got to look for them!
EAT CLEAN FOODS!
In my opinion, there is no better gift that you can give yourself than feeding your body healthy, wholesome foods. The reason is obvious: You Are What You Eat.
The day I changed my eating habits, is the day my life changed. Don’t wait, start now.
Here are a few recipes to get you started:
Breakfast Quinoa w/Fruit & Almonds
Apple Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Deviled Avocados
easy peasy Pea Hummus
a Chimichurri Pumpkin Bowl
Curried Cauliflower Salad
Mushroom Caprese Salad
Stewed Tomatoes w/ Kale & Quinoa
EDUCATE YOUSELF!
The day I chose to change my lifestyle, start eating healthier, and to stop eating meat is the same day that I picked up books and started reading. Then I started following blogs, and I sought-out like-minded people. The day my boyfriend decided he wanted to be a pro triathlete is the day he subscribed to magazines and joined groups of like-minded people.
Living a healthy lifestyle does not come naturally to everyone – and that’s ok. Before I knew what I know now, I didn’t know that I didn’t know it. I know what I know now because I sought out the information. I spend a few hours (minimum) every week reading blogs, books, and magazines that fall in line with the lifestyle that I want to live, that I am living.
Here are a few blogs that I read regularly: Edible Perspective, HeartBeet Kitchen, Minimalist Baker, Free People Blog, YumUniverse, and Dirtbag Darling.
Designate a quiet night, get your pj’s on, snuggle under some blankets, and read. You’ll never regret taking the time to acquire knowledge, or at least I never have.
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Cheers to the New Year!
What is it that YOU do in order to stay healthy and happy?
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