Let’s start feeling like ourselves again.
I want to help you see how amazing you really are. You are capable of so much more and you are worth the effort!
5 habits to break in 2025
By this point in the month, you are probably on the seesaw teetering between breaking bad habits and building new ones. Right?
Hello friends!
How has your January been going so far? If the adrenaline rush of “new year, new me” is starting to wear off, please, take a breath, and relax. You can’t expect to see changes overnight. Good habits take time to build and bad habits take time to break. By this point in the month, you are probably on the seesaw teetering between breaking bad habits and building new ones. Right?
If you’re having trouble sticking with the goals you set out for on December 31, 2024, it may be that your old habits are still getting in the way. Don’t worry, I got you! I listed five habits that are keeping you from living your best life. Break these habits and I guarantee that you will start seeing progress.
Procrastination
Stop putting off your to-dos, your goals, your dreams and plans. This is YOUR year to do the things you have been putting on the back-burner. There’s a good chance you are procrastinating on small, everyday tasks as well. Make a list of what you need to do for the day, and get them done. This will build your productivity muscle. Add small actionable tasks to your list that will move the dial closer towards making that bigger, scarier goal a reality. Want to start a business? Write a book? Lose 50 lbs.? Set aside 30 minutes each day to work on making your dreams a reality.
Hitting the snooze button
Do yourself a favor and do not touch that snooze button tomorrow morning! Snoozing is another form of procrastination (see no. 1). Waking up when you say you are going to wake up is the first promise you keep to yourself, so don’t break it. Waking up without rushing around and dashing out the door is a power move. Set the tone of your day by being cool, calm, and in control instead of the other way around. Use the extra time to work on your goals, lock in on a warrior mindset, eat a nutritional breakfast and be primed for a successful day. Go to bed 20 minutes earlier and place your alarm on the other side of the bedroom. This way you must physically leave your bed to shut it off.
Oversharing
You have big plans for 2025 - you don’t have time for naysayers, unsolicited advice, and negative comments. This year, you are not showing your next move to anybody. They won’t have the opportunity to criticize, judge, gossip or sabotage your dreams. The fruit of your labor will be revealed when your hard work is complete. When you are locked in on your goals, the motto should be, “do more, talk less.”
Stifling your creativity
We are all creative in our own unique way, stop ignoring it! As adults, we tend to lose the ability to suspend time, be in the moment, and allow our imagination to take over. Lets aim for less perfection and more messy, playfulness in our lives. Why? Not only is expressing ourselves creatively really fun and exciting, it is also beneficial to our mental and physical wellbeing. Having a creative outlet relieves stress and inflammation levels; boosts your self-esteem; and improves cognitive health.
Overcommitting
Free up some on your calendar each month and learn to say “NO” to anything that does not energize you. This will ensure that you have time to get to that side project, visit friends and family, or simply catch up on sleep and a good book. I keep two weekends free every month to avoid burnout. It is refreshing knowing I am not on a schedule Every. Damn. Day. Try it!
Remember, staying consistent is one of the key factors to building new habits. And habits are the stepping stones to success. Now get out of your own way and go be awesome!
My book, “Gettin’ Fit, Learnin’ Sh*t (About Myself and Life): A Beginners Guide to an Active Lifestyle, For Life!” is now available on Amazon here or free with any coaching program. Check it out!
Simple ways to drink more water & stay hydrated
Drinking more water is a common challenge for those dipping their toes into a healthier lifestyle for the first time. Are you among the water-adverse?
Drinking more water is a common challenge for those dipping their toes into a healthier lifestyle for the first time. They say they hate the taste. It’s boring. Or they forget to reach for the glass. Are you among the water-adverse?
I won’t get into too much detail about how important water is for our bodies. The amount needed depends on your age, weight, environment, health, diet, and activity level. Healthline reports that generally, women need 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day, and men need 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day.
I’m a bonified water lover, and I’ve got some great tips and tricks to keep anyone who claims to hate water – or simply forgets to drink it – stay hydrated. Read on:
Foods That Hydrate
Drinking water is the best way to ensure you are hydrated properly adding foods high in water content is a nice supplement if you think you may be falling short on the hydration scale. Eating fruits like watermelon, strawberries and oranges, vegetables such as lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, soups, and even dairy, can help you reach optimal hydration.
Foods That Dehydrate
According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of dehydration include: extreme thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. Salty snacks, cured meat, fried food, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and soda all contribute to dehydration. Either eliminate or minimize eating these foods and chug a glass of water after eating these foods.
More ways to drink more water
Stay on top of your thirst: Sip water throughout the day so you never get to the point of feeling super thirsty or fatigued.
Purchase a big water bottle: I have a 40-ounce water bottle and I fill it up about three times a day. I bring it to the gym, and in the car when traveling, and it stays on my desk while I work. Amazon sells a two-pack for $42.99. You won’t have to worry about filling cup after cup or buying more plastic water bottles.
Use a straw. This is especially helpful for those who don’t like the taste of water. Drinking from a straw allows you to suck down a lot of water and minimizes the taste. There are countless reusable steel or glass straws on Amazon that you can purchase.
Quality water: Maybe you are not drinking enough water because your water is…terrible. Seriously, if you are drinking out of the tap chances are the water tastes bad. Purchasing a water filtration system of any kind will improve your relationship with water. Whether it’s a Brita filter pitcher, water filter faucet system or under-sink water filter – you will up your hydration game with the investment. My husband and I switched from buying wasteful water bottles and jugs every week to an under-the-sink filter system and it was a game-changer. We weren’t afraid to run out of drinking water and felt better that we were not adding more plastic to the recycling bin.
Consider buying a water testing kit at Home Depot to make sure you are not drinking anything harmful to you or your family. This water testing kit is $18.
Flavoring: Water can get boring but replacing it with soda or juices is not the answer. Don’t drink your calories! There are some wonderful sugar-free flavoring options out there. My favorite is True Lemon. They sell zero-calorie unsweetened water enhancers and low-calorie drink mixes. They have packets so you can keep them with you on the go. I love the unsweetened True Lime flavor that is made from real citrus. It gives just a hint of flavor.
Get techie with it: There are numerous apps for tracking and reminding you of your water intake. Check out the Gulp app or Kropla app. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need to stay on track.
Water first, then food. Drink the water served at the restaurant as soon as you sit down and say yes to refills. It may even help you curb your appetite, therefore eating less calories.