It’s the new year!  If you’re still struggling to solidify your resolutions, here are a few tips from me on how to start the new year right!

Set your intention

Thoughts have power- think of them as tiny prayers you say everyday.  The words that you think and the things that you dwell on can become realities in your life.

As the new year starts, setting goals for yourself is a great way to get your mind on positive changes the can make real differences in your life! 

As a nutritionist, I love the new year because this is typically the time when people decide to make changes in their health for all the right reasons.  Whether it’s to improve a condition or disease, lose excess weight, look great for the new year, or a number of other personal reasons, hopping on the New Year’s Resolution bandwagon is a great way to ride the wave of health and fitness motivation sweeping the world at this time.

Many people intend to make these changes on their own, but working with a professional can make the choices infinitely clearer and more obtainable.  If you’re in need of help to begin your health improving program, contact me here. 

Start your supplements

Supplements often get a bad rap in the world at large because of misguided claims that they aren’t safety tested and regulated.  There is some truth to this.  The supplements you might buy at the grocery store are most likely not vigorously tested, one of the reasons they are inexpensive.

The supplements I and nutritionists like me sell are more expensive because the companies we order from pay for quality third party testing to ensure the products contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated. 

Studies have shown again and again that the components in many supplements have the power to improve functioning in the body.  This is especially true if there is a nutrient deficiency (common in those with certain conditions).  Always check with a qualified professional before beginning supplements as taking ones you do not need can cause harm.

There are a few supplements most people should be taking, I’ve written about that before.  Here are my recommendations.  

Starting a supplement protocol that works for you can help dramatically improve your health and well-being (as well as your energy!) for the new year!

Get on a structured program that WORKS

While “eating healthy” and “working out more” are good goals, they aren’t specific enough.  In order to make real changes, we must do the hard work of researching and planning a specific set of goals to make it through the new year.

Instead of “trying to lose some weight” for the new year, think about starting a structured diet plan that is customized for you.  A healthy weight loss program or customized meal plan can help take the guess-work out of planning and gives you something structured to lean on as the motivation wanes.  

Eating healthy is easy to toss out the window, but not consuming any dairy or grains for 30 days is harder to let go of.  It’s even better to have a structured program with do’s and don’ts.

A super structured plan isn’t for life, but it can still be a way to get to a lifestyle.  Sometimes people don’t want to start structured plans because they believe they will fall off the wagon and fall into old habits.  On the contrary, sticking to a structured plan helps reset the brain and teach it new habits.   Over time, you will become healthier and healthier and it will be easier to make better choices.

Incorporate Smart Activity

Work out smarter, not harder.  Many people begin the new year with over-idealized fitness goals like running 5 days a week.  With fitness, it’s better to start with simple changes like exercising 3 days a week and get into the groove. 

Motivation is not an inexhaustible pool and it makes far more difference to EAT better than to WORKOUT harder.  So if you are overwhelmed, start with nutrition and add in as much exercise as you can handle.  

Light walking daily with 15-20 minutes of heavy weight lifting 2-3 times a week is enough for most people to start feeling more fit.

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I wish you all the best with your New Year’s Resolutions and am always happy to help!  Contact me here.