10 Tips For a Healthy Start to the New Year

I don’t know about you all but I always have mixed feelings around this time of year. I am sad to see all the holidays I love come and go, but I am so ready to get back to a normal routine and love the fresh start of a new year.

I am sure many of you are like me and are wanting to not only get back to a normal routine but get back into the swing of things when it comes to exercise, health and nutrition. For me personally the past two months have been crazy busy, filled with a lot of traveling and holiday get togethers, which totally threw off my normal eating schedule and exercise routine.

To help me recover from the holidays and to celebrate a healthy start to the New Year, I am sharing a few tips and things that I try to do to get my health back on track!

10 Tips For a Healthy Start to the New Year:

1. Write Down Your Goals: One thing I love about the new year is busting out a brand new shiny calendar and planner. I also like jotting down some goals (yes GOALS) for the new year and placing them in a spot I will see daily to remind me of what I am working towards. When setting your new goals, make sure all your goals, not just health and fitness related, are realistic and attainable.

2. Clean Out the Fridge: Begin the new year with a fresh, clean start! Clean out the fridge and pantry to get rid of all the lingering holiday treats and goodies. Not only will this get rid of temptations, it will make room for fresh and healthy foods.

3. Stock Up On Healthy and Convenient “Grab and Go” Snacks: On days that I teach or have a lot of errands to run, I always pack a bag of snacks. This keeps me going as I run all over town and helps me avoid the fast food line. Some of my favorite snacks include baby carrots, grapes and cherry tomatoes (all are portion into snack size baggies at the beginning of the week); bananas, apples, protein shakes and snack bars. The new Special K® Chewy Snack Bars are perfect for throwing in my purse or gym bag as I head out the door. Not only are they convenient, each bar is only 100 calories and comes in delicious flavors like Berry Medley, Blueberry Bliss, Salted Caramel Chocolate and Salted Pretzel Chocolate (my favorite)… perfect for when I am craving chocolate!

4. Create a Plan… A Meal Plan That Is: I am super excited to get back to regular meal planning! Meal planning may seem time consuming at first, but it is crucial to getting back on track after the overindulgence during the holidays. Not only will meal planning help you stay focused and prevent the dreaded question… “what’s for dinner?” but it will also save you time and money in the end.

5. Start Small: For many of us, trying to get back on track or start a brand new diet or exercise routine may seem overwhelming at first. However, if you start small, with realistic goals, you are more likely to succeed. Start with taking a 30 minute walk a day or by adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Once these little goals become second nature, then add new goals and challenges.

6. Try Something New: I am the type of person that gets bored really quickly with exercising. I can’t do the same thing back to back each day, and thrive on being able to do different activities to get up and moving. Last year we got bikes and had a blast exploring the trails in and around my city. In 2015, I hope to try zumba for the first time and do more hiking and canoeing. You can also take this time to try new things in the kitchen! Tired of the same ole’ baked chicken and broccoli? Do some research and try a new recipe instead!

7. Drink Up: I am normally strictly a water drinker but when the holidays roll around I can’t resist a special holiday latte or a cup of eggnog. For me bringing my water bottle everywhere I go helps me stay hydrated during a challenging workout and helps keep me from slurping up a sugary drink! Not a fan of water? Try add fresh fruit (like lemon, lime, apple or blackberries) or even fresh herbs (like basil or mint) for a fresh and natural flavor.

8. Get Help From a Friend: All things are better when you can enjoy them with a friend, this includes exercising and eating right! Not only is tackling those steep hills on my bike more enjoyable when I have Eric by my side, but he encourages me and pushes me to do “just one more mile”. Or grab your kids or furry friends and make ‘working out’ a whole family affair! Play tag at the park, go on a hike, ride your bike or jump on the trampoline… all fun things that will get you up and moving as a family!

9. Don’t Beat Yourself Up: Changing your lifestyle or even getting back on track takes time. If you oversleep and don’t have time to workout one day or enjoy dessert on date night… don’t worry… that’s ok! Life should be filled with lazy Saturday mornings and on occasional sweet treat. Just don’t let that one ‘set back’ get you down. Smile and get back at it the next day!

10. Reward Yourself: Working out and ‘watching what you eat’ is a lot of hard work and dedication. As you reach your goals, reward yourself with cute new workout clothes, song downloads or a pedicure!

For more ideas and information visit Special K online and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. And check out the new Special K® Chewy Snack Bars when they hit store shelves nationwide January 2015!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Special K Snack Bars.

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