When the new year comes around I’m always inspired to get my butt in gear and concentrate on a happier and healthier me in the year ahead. However, around late February this drive to ‘be better’ tends to slow down thanks to long winter days, cold temperatures, and generally feeling like I’d prefer to be lazy on the couch than make the extra effort to get to the gym. Healthy meals tend to get old and I’d much rather have a cozy bowl of pasta on a freezing cold day. Can you relate?

Since I work from home, this feeling of staying put can be very overwhelming but I’ve come up with 10 tips to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle without much effort! If you’re like me, the guilt that I didn’t do something {especially when I had the time to do it!} can easily take over and by following these 10 steps I generally feel more accomplished, positive, and better about myself throughout the day. Even if cold weather isn’t preventing you to get outdoors these suggestions can help anyone in a rut.

1. Plan ahead. I like to make my to-do lists the night before so I don’t wake up stressed about the day ahead and making a point to schedule a workout class in my calendar is really important. I’m realistic when it comes to my daily to-do’s and only include items that I know I can accomplish that day. Even if I only have time for a 30 minute workout video it goes on the to-do list so I can cross it off once completed!

2. Exercise in the morning. Honestly, if I don’t workout in the morning, it’s not going to happen. I like to get my workout out of the way before I shower up and get ready for the day. I also like to workout before my heavier meals for the day {lunch and dinner} because it tends to help me make healthier decisions. Checking off that to-do early on always feels like a big accomplishment and is something good to do for yourself. It’s like a dose of caffeine {kinda}!

3. Reward yourself. My favorite way to start the day is with a bowl of greek yogurt, homemade granola, honey, cinnamon, and fresh fruit. However, I don’t let myself eat this until I’ve done at least 30 minutes of exercise. This obviously depends on the day {I don’t workout everyday} and if I have time to hit the gym for an hour or so, go to The Dailey Method {my favorite way to start the day!}, or do a 30 minute video at home. Other rewards? Get a manicure on your lunch break, indulge in your favorite flavored latte, or buy yourself some pretty flowers!

4. Find a great workout to do at home. This is a lifesaver when time is not on your side! A few of my favorite 30 minute videos include: Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred, Tone It Up YouTube videos {I love this one and this one together}, and Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis videos.

5. Cute workout clothes. Funny story: when Dave and I first started dating I was really into running and we would go to the gym together. One day he came up to me and told me that he thought I needed new workout clothes and I responded why? Without saying another word he scanned my outfit and made it clear that my oversized Nike running shorts and baggy sorority tee wasn’t cutting it. I proceeded to glance around at all of the pretty girls wearing cute workout clothes and wasn’t into my workout anymore. Now, I’m not saying get dolled up for the gym but finding items that actually fit is a huge game changer when it comes to my confidence levels at the gym/throughout my exercise routine. My go-to’s include Athleta leggings, Zella half zip pullovers, Zella long sleeve shirts, Lululemon tanks and Target’s seamless sports bra. I like to lay out what I’m wearing the night before and change as soon as I get out of bed.

6. Find a class you love. It wasn’t until I joined The Dailey Method early last summer that I realized the amazing benefits of a workout class. Not only does it push me harder, focus on muscles that I wouldn’t normally work, and provide great results but the feeling you get being surrounded by women working towards the same goal is overwhelming. I had done classes before but TDM has been so empowering for my body and mind. Like I said before, it’s my favorite way to start the day and half of that is because of the people. You see the same familiar faces and it’s so refreshing to have a sense of community separate from my life at home. If you’re looking for a class to love, try Class Pass! And you don’t have to go everyday, I try to make it 3 times a week.

7. Drink water. I notice a significant difference in how I feel in the mornings when I haven’t drank enough water the day before. Dehydrated, headaches, or even sore. Water will help aid in your digestion, detox your organs, brightens your skin, energizes your muscles, helps to fight infection, reduces your risk of cancer, boosts energy – the list goes on! Honestly, I am the biggest proponent of clean water and the benefits it gives to your body.

8. Plan your meals ahead of time. This really helps to ensure that I’m eating healthy throughout the week. But don’t be too hard on yourself…Dave and I try to cook at home 4 nights a week and then 3 nights are allocated to eating out. It’s all about balance! A few of my favorite sites for healthy recipes that don’t feel too healthy – Skinny Taste and Pinterest! I’m constantly pinning new recipes to try and love to come up with replacements for making yummy meals more healthy. You have to have fun with it! Dave and I love to make roasted veggies with fish, homemade pizza on cauliflower crust, zucchini noodles, turkey burgers, and tacos.

9. Hold yourself accountable. This is obviously different for everyone but it’s really important for me to hold myself accountable when it comes to being healthy. I hate feeling guilty after eating a donut or going back for a second grilled cheese on days when I cancelled my TDM class. We all have those weeks when we don’t make it to the gym, we just want to indulge, and a glass of wine sounds much more appetizing than a glass of water {I’ve gone to 2 classes in two weeks!}. I’m with you! But I hate the guilt that comes almost every single Monday morning when I’ve taken too many steps backwards. It’s important for me to stay on top of myself and consistently make healthy decisions. It ultimately leads to a healthier me and then I don’t feel as guilty when I indulge here and there.

10. Make realistic goals. I think this is the most important! Nothing changes overnight so don’t be so hard on yourself. Take it day by day. Even small changes {like drinking 12 glasses of water a day} can make a HUGE difference. Be patient and try the best that you can. Honestly, I don’t do any of this to be skinny – God gave me a beautiful body that can easily gain 5 lbs in one weekend but you know what, that’s ok! I’m not going to sacrifice my lifestyle to follow any of these rules completely – it’s all about being realistic and feeling like your best self! No matter what size you are, the only person that matters is YOU.

I hope this helps you on days when keeping up with being healthy feels daunting. And remember, you’re beautiful. xoxo