It’s almost a week into 2019, and we’re already feeling like it’s the year to make epic positive changes for our health. But we also know how hard it can be to stick to New Year’s resolutions. Here are some tips to keep you motivated this year and make 2019 your healthiest year to date.
- Make 2019 the Year of the Gene! Okay, we know it sounds cheesy, but the truth is that your health begins in your genes. Actually, everything about you begins in your genes, so why wouldn’t you want to know more about them? There are dozens of genetic testing kits and companies out there that can help you better understand what makes you, you. Whether you take an ancestral route with a kit like 23andMe or you use one of our kits to take a health and fitness approach, you’ll find out things about yourself that you never knew. We know from experience that knowing about your DNA inspires you to do research and treat your body with the care it deserves!
- Take it one step at a time. One of the biggest reasons people give up on their health and fitness related resolutions is because they bite off a bit more than they can chew. Deciding to completely change your diet overnight or resolving to go to the gym everyday when you used to go once a month isn’t really a realistic approach. Think about what it is you want to change about your life and take small steps to do so. Maybe plan to hit the gym once a week and do yoga a few times at home, or allow yourself to eat out one night a week rather than the usual two or three. Small changes are easier to get accustomed to, and once they’ve become regular you can start making bigger changes over time.
- Don’t beat yourself up. This is an obvious one, but still one of the hardest mindsets to adopt when tackling New Year’s resolutions. It’s so critical to be kind to yourself, especially when it comes to health & fitness. We can’t all be gym rats and have the time and money to prep the most nutritious and delicious meals for our bodies, but we can thank ourselves for all the good things we do for our bodies. Rather than getting upset with yourself when you over indulge or forget to exercise for a week or more, take the time to thank yourself when you actually end up doing something healthy.
- Falling off the bandwagon isn’t an excuse to give up. The truth is, most of us won’t be able to permanently stick to our New Year’s resolutions, and that’s okay. The real goal should be to incorporate those resolutions into our daily routines more consistently. So, after weeks of being “good”, finally falling off the bandwagon shouldn’t be an excuse to give up completely. Don’t worry about sticking to your goals day after day, worry about making your goals second nature and acting on them at least once a week.
Year after year, people reach New Years feeling like they didn’t stick to any of their New Year’s resolutions, but we want you to feel like a healthier and stronger version of yourself by the time 2020 rolls around. So remember to take it slow, be kind to yourself and make a point to learn about your genes. If you follow this simple advice, you’ll find that you won’t even need to make New Year’s resolutions next year!
