Glamazons,
There’s a running joke that everyone crowds the gym after New Year’s Day and drops off in February. It’s cruel but sort of true. We have this habit of forcing huge changes on our lifestyle around the new year, changes that are almost impossible to sustain. And when we inevitably slack off or get back to our old routines, we feel like we’ve failed. I think it’s time for a change.
Glamazon Andrea posted the best meme about the problem with resolutions, and I totally agree:
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You don’t make any life changes by beating yourself up or forcing yourself to change overnight. I definitely prefer growth, patience and self love over everything. It’s with that attitude in mind that I approached this year’s resolution.
My 2016 resolution is to keep up my fitness routine: continuing to run regularly and getting back to clean eating (I fell off over the holidays…painfully so). I’m also looking for a hot yoga studio nearby.
And here are 5 ways I’m planning to actually accomplish this without putting undue pressure on myself. Hopefully, these tips can help you guys too!
1. Create a new (reasonable) routine
The best way to stick to a new workout plan is to integrate exercise into your schedule in a realistic way. I tend to run in the morning because I’m usually free from 7AM-8AM and it’s when I have the most energy.
As for hot yoga, I won’t schedule sessions after work (when I’m dead tired from my day) to set myself up for failure. Weekends are much more realistic with my schedule.
2. Make it as painless as possible
Ideally, I want to run every other day and do strength training (squats, lift weights, etc.) on the days I don’t run. But I know myself: I’ll start out strong then there will be days when I just don’t feel like it. I’m always happy after I work out but it’s hard to get started.
To help the cause, I keep my fitness gear in my top drawer so I can grab it without thinking in the morning. I scored a Moving Comfort sports bra, a Nathan fanny pack and Asics sneakers from Sears.com. I also got a weight set and I keep it under the couch so I can easily pull it out and do my workout. It’s so convenient to have my own personal gym at home!
With my super busy schedule, I could’ve put off shopping for exercise gear, and just turned that into another excuse. But I was able to buy everything on the Sears app in a matter of seconds. It was easy for me to find plus I was able to compare different brands and get reviews from other shoppers. Then, I had everything shipped directly to my house — all from my smartphone. No excuses!
3. Choose workouts you actually love
A major key (cue DJ Khaled) to maintaining your workout is choosing an exercise routine you actually like. Running is super hard for me. It’s the ultimate exercise in discipline and mental toughness. I usually want to give up after the second mile! But it’s also therapeutic. It really helps me clear my mind, and I’ve grown to cherish that time alone in the morning.
We all know how much I adore yoga, it reminds me of stretching when I used to take ballet and jazz classes. The reason I’m able to work out as much as I do is because I love my routines. I don’t get the same joy from going to the gym or doing Pilates or even spin, and I’ve tried them all. Try out different routines and find the one(s) you enjoy doing. It’ll be easier to stick to it.
4. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day
I’m no Serena Williams or even Angela Simmons. There are times I wake up and I just don’t feel like working out. I’m not going to fall apart if I don’t make it outside to run as often as I plan to. That doesn’t mean I’ll allow myself to fall off the wagon. I just won’t beat myself up if I miss a day because that solves nothing. I’ll just hop right back on.
And with it being colder, I’ve come up with a plan B on days when I don’t run: cardio via jumping rope in my basement. I scored a jump rope from Sears.com and it’s great for working up a sweat and burning fat in the comfort of my home. There’s nothing wrong with having a Plan B.
5. Allow cheat days
I actually don’t mind clean eating. I hate the sluggish feeling I get after eating a heavy meal filled with carbs! I’ve grown to crave the energy boost I get from eating fish, veggies and fruits, and drinking green smoothies! But I’d be lying if I said I don’t have a craving for sweets or pizza every now and then. I read this great post on Her Sweat about the value of cheat days. After all, life is about balance.
I like pizza and chocolate once a month. And because I cook soul food for my family on holidays, I will allow myself small portions. Thanks to cheat days, my clean eating goals are much more realistic and attainable.
I could do better. I add a little too much cayenne pepper to my kale (lol). I love a good glass of champagne. Eating out is a regular occurrence on my calendar in NYC. I can’t do some of the intricate yoga poses like the girls in the front row of my class. I wish I could run as fast as the people who zoom past me on my morning route.
But I’m proud of myself for trying. I know what works for me and I set realistic goals for my lifestyle. I don’t expect to be a marathon runner or the Gwyneth Paltrow of clean eating overnight. But I do expect to eat better and exercise more than I did yesterday.
I push myself but there’s no bashing, there’s no pressure and there’s no such thing as failure. I count it all as growth. I want you guys to achieve your resolutions and stay positive about it!
To that end, I’m giving you a $100 gift card to Sears.com to shop items that will help you reach your 2016 goals.
Enter to win by filling out the code below:
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Good luck, Glamazons! And Happy New Year!
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sears. The opinions expressed herein are those of Glamazons Blog and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sears.
I resolve to get more sleep and make that a bigger priority.
I want to do more strength training.
I want to stay more organized!
This year I’m focusing on getting back to my regular workouts.
form name Barbara Montag
thank you
I am taking it a day at a time. I am trying to take 10,000 steps daily. And I am using the app Sworkit to slowly get back into a fitness routine,
I would like to do more walking – (10.000 steps at least 3-5 days a week) and I also want to Thank God daily for all his blessings.
My resolution is to be more organized with my home and business. So far so good!
trying to get our finances in better shape
I’m hoping to get a work promotion and to travel more in 2016.
My resolution is to get more active.
My resolution is to go on more nature walks.
I want to lose some weight.
My resolutions are to eat healthier and cook healthier meals for my family.
My resolution for this year is to learn a new language.
I want to quit smoking, lose weight and work on my patience.
one of my resolutions is to try and incorporate a better and diet into my daily living. i have stomach issues and migraines and i feel like my diet has A LOT to do with my downfall some days :/
instagram: @megatons
pinterest: supbonka (bianca roman)
Your workout clothes are so cute! I am eating a healthy diet, and have taken up jogging and yoga to help me be fit in 2016!
My new years goals is to get out and volunteer more and give back to my lovely community!
My goals for the new year are to eat more healthier, exercise more, and doing more fun things with my family and friends.
My resolution is to exercise more
My resolution is to learn to cook healthier for my family! I have so much to learn!
My plan is to be healthier this new year.
My goals for 2016 are to reevaluate our finances, set up our budget better and save more money :)
My NYR is to organize and reorganize rooms in the home; I have been putting it off and it just needs to be done for my sanity :)
following on instagram as https://www.instagram.com/lisalubrown/
following on pinterest as https://www.pinterest.com/lisalu24/
My New Years Resolution is to lost 5-10 pounds. I would also like to run a marathon in under 4 hours.
To exercise more
I want to continue to make making healthy meals for my family a priority.
My goal is to stay healthy and fit.
I want to eat healthier,.
My goal this year is to really focus on my portion sizes. I’ll be keeping much better track of what I eat.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Awesome tips, ma’am. I have been pretty naughty the last few years and because of that I have came to hate my body. I want to eat better, work and and get all of my self confidence back! xo starla.batesATyahooDOTcom
My resolution is to lose the weight I gained over the holidays.
My goal is to eat Breakfast more regularly and stay positive!
I want to cook more healthy foods.
I won!!! I am so excited :)