Happy New Year!! I love a fresh start and everything that a new year brings - time to reflect on the past year and the ups and downs or what we could improve on and setting goals for the new year. Things got so crazy busy for us with the holidays, work deadlines, and the kids school schedules that I have been knocked off my workout routine. I’m hoping to get back into a regular routine this year and back to some of the activities that I love doing most like running. I’m looking for a new half marathon to sign up for this year because I think having an event to train for is so much fun and motivating. I also want to take more spin classes at our gym as well as making time for yoga and meditation in the mornings. As I’ve been thinking of these physical goals that I have, I have also been trying to get back on track with our eating after enjoying lots of delicious treats over our Christmas break. Adam has gone pretty much to a completely plant based diet so we are all getting in more plant-based meals and cutting back our meat consumption a lot. It’s been great to try and see how many different kinds of vegetables we can get our kids to eat and forcing me to get more creative with our go-to healthy meals. One favorite snack so far for my kids is kale chips - they love them! Just place cut up kale pieces on a pan drizzled with olive oil, salt, onion powder, and garlic salt then pop in the oven at 350 and bake until they start to get crispy. I’ll try to share some more healthy recipes soon like the butternut squash enchiladas I’m trying to get down.

Goals can seem easier at the start of the year when all of us are motivated and want to stick to them, but pretty soon life gets busier and things get in the way of making our goals happen so I wanted to share a few tips today on how to stick to your goals and workout routine. Another thing that also helps me is getting some workout gear that I love to wear! Having a new cute workout outfit can be the motivation you need to get out the door and going, but also having gear that performs well and moves great in your workout will make you feel your best and help you want to keep going. I think the fit of your exercise clothes is just as important as the looks so that’s why I want quality when I’m looking for new workout outfits. I have been wearing the Fabletics high-waisted bottoms and ultra supportive sports bras for the past few months and have been so impressed with them. I love the buttery soft material of these ones and how comfortable they are, but also the prices are great! If you use my discount code here then you can get two new leggings for $24 when you sign up as a VIP which can be canceled at any time. Such a crazy good deal and worth it to try out these perfectly paired sets.

TIPS FOR STICKING WITH YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE

1 | Get a Friend to be your Workout Partner [it’s a lot easier to stick to it when you have a friend to be accountable to. Sign up for a class together and carpool so that you know someone else is relying on you to make it there, or schedule times to go running or biking or whatever activity you want to enjoy together and make it a weekly commitment.]

2 | Write Down Your Goals [whenever I write something down I am much more likely to get it done because I keep that list in front of me to remind me all the time. You can also take before photos or write down your measurements so that you can see a physical transformation in yourself when you stick to your routine and it will motivate you to keep going. Have a big goal for the year and then make smaller goals that are going to help you to reach the bigger one. Break those goals down into everyday tasks that are reachable for you.]

3 | Find the Workout that’s Right for You [this is so important in helping you to stick to a workout routine because most of us don’t want to get up and do something that we hate doing, so find something you enjoy! There are so many different kinds of workouts so if you haven’t found the right now then keep on looking. If you have a gym membership then try different classes they offer or switch things up between the weights and machines with intervals. If you don’t have access to a gym then do some free youtube workouts at home using equipment you can find or get outside which is my favorite! Go for a walk or run, ride a bike, run the stairs at the beach, put on some rollerblades, go for a swim, or find some nearby hiking trails.]

And remember that the key to sticking to a big goal is the baby steps that you take each day to get there. Lay out your clothes the night before for your workout. Set an alarm and wake up early to get it in. Start out small with however much time you can squeeze in and then add more time once you find it in your day. And have fun!! Don’t workout just because you want your body to look a certain way, but rather because you love the way it makes you feel and you want to treat your body the best you can.