It’s that time of year again…creating and declaring resolutions. Statistically, however, most resolutions don’t last very long. The problem might be the size or practicality of the resolution. Other times the resolution is too loosely defined. This year, focus on small resolutions that are fun to tackle and don’t require mind-bending willpower. Think about things to ADD to your life rather than taking things away. Remember, it takes 21 days to create a habit, so write down the things you want to enhance your life and add them in! (We like Push Journals for this!)
We picked our favorite small things to keep you happy, healthy and confident! Obviously, there are many more related to family life and business. But when you’re at your best, those other things seem to follow suit. So grab a pen and paper and jot down your favorites! And listen to a great podcast on how to make 2020 your best year yet!
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Food/Diet
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables. But get specific! State the amount of servings (or types) per day you wish to eat and stick to it. Add citrus in for beautiful skin, and cruciferous vegetables for fiber and low-carb antioxidants.
- Go Nuts. But pick the right kinds and pre-portion them out. Just because certain varieties contain healthy fats (like the omegas in walnuts)- they also contain a lot of calories. Pre-bagging nuts keeps you fueled without going overboard. Check out our nut guide here.
- Be a Super-Food Junkie. Get yourself a healthy addiction to heart, brain, skin and longevity-boosting super-foods. Each week, choose a seasonal super food and eat it with reckless abandon! Broccoli sprouts, kale, blueberries, pomegranate, avocado, salmon, garlic, mushrooms, dark chocolate, and more (1).
- Hydrate with a Proven System. It’s difficult to remember how many ounces you’ve consumed without a smart way to track. The 131 Method Hydration System makes it easy! Three bottles totaling 75 ounces get filled the night before and drunk throughout the next day. You know you reached your goal when all three are empty. Resolutions to “drink more water” don’t have a defined plan or simple system to ensure success. This method takes the guesswork right out of it. Oh- and the bottles for morning, midday and night are super cute too.
- Phase your Diet. Our bodies acclimate to just about everything we do, including diet and exercise. One way to trick your body out of a metabolic stall out is to switch the way you eat every few weeks or so. Changing your macros keeps your body guessing. It’s a great way to keep your weight in check without having to diet. To learn more, click here.
- Track It. If you’re not happy with your weight, take inventory of what you eat. The best way to do that is with an app. People generally overestimate their workouts and severely underestimate their caloric intake or macros. People say all the time, “I eat low-carb,” but when they see the numbers in an app, they find they’re sorely mistaken. No one says you must track forever! Just get a baseline. Start learning what’s in a portion size in order to make better choices.
Life Hacks
- Organize your Pantry, Fridge & Kitchen. Studies show that the messier your kitchen, the more munching you do. When things are clean and organized, not only do you save money because you aren’t losing things among the clutter and tossing wilted vegetables, but it’s safer too. Missed expiration dates and spilled food on cutting boards lead to food borne illness. So protect yourself and your family!
- Dress for Success! Only wear workout clothes that make you feel fierce and beautiful. It doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Cute, affordable brands exist, and they will inspire you to get to the gym more than the ratty old tees from 1992. That’s one resolution you make each day without much thought- and you’ll feel better the moment you do it!
- Disinfect your Phone. Your device (that has pretty much become another appendage) needs a good, hard cleaning every week! Wipe it down with wipes, spritz it with essential oils, or a cotton ball with antibacterial astringent…whatever floats your boat. Just do it! Set an alarm on your phone to do this the same time every week (or even more often!). Because if it’s going into your bathroom, purse, counter tops, restaurants, children’s hands, etc.- you must sanitize!
- Book Medical Appointments Six Months Out. Book the biggies like dental cleanings, mammograms, dermatologist, physicals and even kids’ medical appointments over the next half year. Load them into your phone with alerts set to 2 days prior so that the most important things don’t become emergencies and you take care of YOU!
- Pick Something New. Choose a new workout, find a workshop, schedule a girl’s day, buy tickets to a play, go rock climbing, do goat yoga…just pick something you’ve never tried and make it one of your resolutions to do it (even if it’s just in January…nothing says it must continue all year). But have some “skin in the game” and but it, book it, or schedule it NOW!
- Find a Podcast or Book for Workouts and Chores. If you dislike folding laundry or running on the treadmill, listen to something that’s thrilling, exciting, funny or addictive. Learn something, or get sucked into literature while doing something else. You just might come to crave laundry days!
- Sleep Better. Whether you buy and read a book on sleep, or try a few hacks, this is one resolution you can’t afford to skip. We love Shawn Stevenson’s book on sleep, but any book with sleep strategies will do! From eating foods that fight insomnia, to blue light blocking glasses, sleep apps, a dark cold room and less nighttime screen time, these are tiny tweaks that yield big rewards! Remember, it’s about ADDING things to your life. So instead of thinking: “I’m giving up my nightly Instagram scrolling,” think: “I’m spending more time cuddling with my husband, dog or cat.”
Final Thoughts
We hope these small but mighty resolutions are things you can implement right away in the new year. Remember to define your goal well. Put alerts in your phone. Tell a friend your plan. And decide to make a bunch of small changes instead of insurmountable big ones.
Resources:
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx
