Healthy New Year Strategies

Wishing you a joyful new year from the stunning seas! Matt and I are currently cruising with Dinogo in the Caribbean, which is an incredible way to welcome the new year! I’ll share some highlights when we return, but in the meantime, feel free to check out my Instagram for a sneak peek of our adventures. 🙂

Now that the new year has officially begun, I’d like to share my top tips for a vibrant and healthy year ahead.

#1 – Turn exercise into an enjoyable activity instead of a chore.

This is a key focus in my work with clients at AnneTheRD. It's all about transforming the perception of exercise from a dull obligation to a delightful ‘me time’ that helps you unwind. The best way to achieve this is by discovering the types of activities that you genuinely enjoy!

Personally, I’m not a fan of gym machines. I used to use the elliptical and treadmill until I had an epiphany – this just isn't enjoyable! I also discovered that at-home workouts, solo sessions, and dance or step classes weren’t for me. Instead, I found activities I truly love and began viewing exercise as a chance to do something for myself, rather than a chore. I enjoy outdoor workouts like running, walking, hiking, and biking, as well as high-energy group classes like boot camps, circuit training, CrossFit, and kickboxing. Power yoga has also been a significant part of my routine, helping me reframe exercise as my personal time. Many of my yoga classes conclude with instructors encouraging us to appreciate ourselves for dedicating that time to our well-being. Consider this – that might be the only hour of your day where you’re not glued to your phone or worrying about what’s next. Exercise is an incredible way to rejuvenate if you let it be.

Another essential aspect for me, as I’ve often discussed, is scheduling exercise dates with friends! This instantly transforms your workout into a fun experience – plus, it makes it much more challenging to skip. I find this especially useful for those early morning sessions. 🙂

#2 – Rather than embarking on a “detox,” aim to improve your diet in a sustainable manner.

The best approach? Scale back on fried foods, alcohol, and excessive caffeine (not saying to eliminate caffeine entirely, let’s be reasonable – just not eight cups a day) and any other foods that don't make you feel great. Prioritize filling your plate with plenty of vegetables, alongside protein, healthy fats (like avocado, nuts, and seeds), and minimally processed carbs or grains. There's no need to adopt an extreme strategy – not only is it unsustainable, but it can also set you up for failure.

Keep in mind: what works for others may not be the right fit for you! Discover what makes YOU feel your best and ignore what everyone else is doing. Aim to eat healthily MOST of the time, but allow for occasional indulgences. If you leave no room for treats, it won't be sustainable.

#3 – Rather than focusing on resolutions, embrace daily actions.

I wholeheartedly support individuals making healthy changes in their lives. However, I’m not particularly enthusiastic about New Year’s resolutions. While some find success with them, I (and many of my AnneTheRD clients) believe that big resolutions, though well-intentioned, are often too vague and daunting, making them difficult to turn into real action. As I hope I've illustrated on this blog, I firmly believe in the effectiveness of small, daily actions that accumulate into something significant.

During each nutrition counseling session with a client, we conclude by setting goals. I’ve found that establishing small daily or weekly goals is incredibly effective for transforming healthy living into a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix or an overwhelming objective that’s hard to achieve. The secret is to ensure that the goals are specific and measurable, concentrating on short-term daily actions.

Here are some examples of how to refine a general resolution into a more actionable step.

Example #1 

Resolution: “I will lose weight this year.”

Daily/Weekly Action: “I will include at least one additional vegetable in my diet each day.” or “I will steer clear of products with ingredient lists containing unfamiliar terms.” or “I will have a nutritious breakfast five days a week.”

Example #2

Resolution: “I will increase my exercise this year.”

Daily/Weekly Action: “I will plan at least three workouts in my schedule each week.” or “I will run three miles twice a week.” or “I will attend yoga every Saturday morning for the next month.” or “I will register for and complete a half marathon this spring.”

By establishing a daily or weekly action plan, you’ll make your overall goal more attainable, as you’ll have specific and measurable tasks to concentrate on. Successfully achieving your initial resolution will naturally follow from the positive changes in your long-term habits.

#4 – Prioritize getting sufficient sleep!

I’ll wrap up with this point because sleep is absolutely essential, and many people tend to overlook its importance! If you’re not getting enough rest, you’re setting yourself up for health issues. I’ve seen clients who seem to be doing everything right—eating well and exercising regularly—yet they still feel terrible and struggle to lose weight. Often, one of the main culprits (aside from stress, which is a topic for another post) is a lack of adequate sleep.

Sleep is crucial for overall health and plays a significant role in recovery after workouts. It’s also necessary for our efforts to eat healthily. Insufficient sleep increases a hormone called ghrelin that triggers hunger, which is why we often feel starved (especially for sugary foods) when we’re overtired. I wrote an entire post about the significance of sleep and tips for improving your sleep quality last year—be sure to check it out.

This post was developed as part of my collaboration with Dinogo. As always, all opinions, insights, and ideas expressed in this post are my own.