This is such an exciting time.  We are not only entering a new year, but a new decade!  This is also a time for being inundated with hype, fads, and gimmicks regarding your health and wellness.

But…..

Fads do not produce results.  The latest trends often perpetuate that “on again, off again” cycle, making your goals float further out of reach.  When embarking upon a new health and wellness goal, I encourage my clients to stick to some basics, and to simplify.  Instead of doing something drastic and intense, like a harsh cleanse or a strict fast, I suggest adopting changes that will slowly and steadily lead to a complete lifestyle make-over.  

This is easier said than done because we are conditioned to expect fast results, but the truth is that your current situation is simply the sum of your habits.  This new year, why not let go of the ones that no longer serve you, while simultaneously creating new ones?  This is the key to success.  

My suggestion is to choose 1 new task per month, whether that is: drinking lemon water every morning, moving your body more each day, eating more greens, practicing mindfulness & positive visualization exercises, or mastering meal prep.  The more we try to tackle at once, the more likely we are to get overwhelmed, and stay stuck.  HERE ARE 3 LIFESTYLE HABITS that you can begin to incorporate into each day—just tackle one at a time.

VISUALIZATION:  Whatever your goal may be, you have to SEE it in order for your mind to believe it.  If you want to lose 20 pounds, you have to SEE yourself in your leaner body.  You have to FEEL your body lighter; freer; moving easier; running up stairs with air in your lungs.  If you want to clean up your diet, you have to SEE yourself shopping for produce at the farmer’s market.  You have to FEEL yourself chopping the veggies and making a beautiful salad.  This is not hype or “feel good” fluff….it’s science. When we visualize ourselves in a winning situation, our brains believe that the event actually happened.  This is how we begin to form new neurological pathways that can lead us towards our goals.  

CLEAN UP YOUR ENVIRONMENT:  This one is a no-brainer, but might take some visualization practice before you actually grab a hefty bag…so take a quick circle back to #1 above :-)  See yourself cleaning out your pantry and fridge.  See yourself passing by the cookies and the chips at the grocery store.  Then, get IN that pantry and start tossing OUT anything that will not serve you as you strive for your goals.  I love ice cream.  If it’s in the fridge, I’m probably going to dive in.  So, when I’m shopping, the ice cream stays in the store.  That’s that.  Your environment needs to honor and respect your goals.  

FIND A COACH OR A MENTOR:  If you are stuck, you are going to need help breaking free from old patterns.… and learning new ones. There’s zero shame in this truth.  In fact, we are wired for community and support, so find yours!  Maybe you need an exercise partner, a life coach, a fitness trainer, a weekend conference on self-improvement, a new book….the options are endless and help is available.  My online program, “The Anti-Diet,” is a cutting edge program that focuses on living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle in order to restore your health & reach your goals.                                                           

The adjoining private “Anti-Diet” FB coaching group offers community and support to guide you through the program, and sustain you moving forward.  We all want to know that someone has our back, so I encourage you to reach out to someone that you trust as you set out to live your healthiest life.  

Cheering you on,

Lori Z.