Waking up on New Year’s Day is a great feeling! It’s a new year, a blank slate, a fresh start to make changes and set goals. Setting a new goal, or resolution, for the year that’s ahead of you gives you renewed strength and purpose to conquer your dreams. Having said that, did you know only 8% of people actually stick to their goals throughout the whole year? Sometimes, you want to eat healthier but you also want to enjoy pie while out to dinner with your friends. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay! Every now and then you are allowed to enjoy some desserts.

Going into 2016 you want to start leading a healthier lifestyle! This means so much more than just eating healthy or losing weight. In order to achieve your goals to be healthy in 2016, you have to have a healthy mindset and the right setup to make it work. Below we list the easiest 5 things you can do in order to be healthier in 2016. This doesn’t necessarily mean losing weight (although it could be that) but being healthy is more than just a number on a scale. Having a healthy mental state, a good routine, and the right tools is the best way to set yourself up for better health. This may not be easy but it’s worth a shot! If you fail, pick up the pieces and try again. Even if it takes you all year to figure out how to lead a healthier lifestyle. And always remember: Everyone’s path looks different!

So here are some simple ways to improve your health and wellness in 2016

5 Easy Way to Be Healthier in the New Year

1. Routine

Start your day off right! Every morning wake up and do a simple routine. Mine usually consists of washing my face, then I drink a glass of water infused with lemon oil or a squeeze of fresh lemon for immune and digestive support. Finally, I sit with my cup of bulletproof coffee and set a positive intention for the day. For me, this means meditating in my faith and going over my daily affirmation (I share these daily on Facebook). This was super easy when I didn’t have kids but now in order to do this, I must wake up a bit before them to get enough time to start my day off right. And you know what? Some days it just doesn’t happen with kids but I try to make certain it does 80% of the time. However, if your kids are overrunning you for a week straight, give yourself some grace! Being a mom is not an easy job.

2. Cut out chemicals

Try and research affordable alternatives to cleaning and household items you use in your home. Cutting out chemicals improves your health drastically and increases your longevity. Before we started using Thieves household cleaners we used homemade cleaners with vinegar, distilled water, baking soda, and tea tree oil. It was 1/100th the cost of buying cleaners at Target. But that doesn’t mean you have to make your own cleaners or purchase from an essential oil distributor. There’s also no problem with purchasing the ready made cleaners already on store shelves.

3. Cut out processed foods

For many this is difficult to do because many foods have become more like addictions. That may seem extreme but it’s very true. You may even consider changing your lifestyle like I did to reset your system to not crave refined sugars every day. It’s a hard transition, and some even come down with what’s called keto flu, but you feel amazing after! So amazing that you never want to go back to how you ate before. Cutting out refined foods, carbs, and sugars, is very simple and the easiest way to boost your metabolism and set yourself up for a healthy life.

Try not eating foods that come in a bag, can, or box. Anything with a long list of ingredients you cannot pronounce is good to avoid. Instead of cereal for breakfast, try eggs, sausage, and some spinach. If that is too much to make on the go try some bulletproof coffee. You’d be amazed at how full you are from one cup of coffee For lunches try a nice big salad with meat and a handful of nuts or a lettuce wrapped burger! For dinner stick to protein and veggies. For the kids you can serve a healthy carb like sweet potatoes, brown rice, or quinoa. It takes a little planning but in the end it will become your way of living.

I’ve even started ordering my food from Amazon Prime Now (yay Sprouts delivery!) and have a monthly fruit and vegggie delivery through Farm Fresh to You. Thinking of signing up? Use my referral code: DANI3568. And use promo code HEALTHY for $15 off! Not only does it help me stay on budget, but we’re forced to plan and eat everything that comes to the door. This means less wasted food and less wasted money.

4. Cut out sugary beverages

Soda, juice, lattes, milk, tea, Gatorade, diet sodas you name it. We stick to coffee, water, bubble water (La Croix), and sometimes 100% juice (for the kids). You’ll be amazed at how much this improves your energy throughout the day and helps you shed pounds fast! (side note: tea bags are okay here I’m talking about teas that come in a bottle from the store that have 45 grams of sugar in them). The biggest thing to do is look at labels. See what you’re consuming and how much sugar or carbs are in the drinks you’re enjoying. That doesn’t mean giving up lattes completely. Consider subbing almond milk or heavy whipping cream instead and asking for sugar free syrups. That weekly trip to Starbucks is now a treat for me once or twice a month. And diet soda – oh so bad for you! – is slowly starting to leave my life. 

5. Get an exercise routine down

Three times a week for at least 30 minutes get your heart rate elevated! You don’t have to sweat through 6 layers of clothes like some Crossfit junkie you know but go on a walk, bike ride, or play in the backyard with your kids. I like to do a home workout with my kids present. Walking around the neighborhood to explore with them and switching out different strength training exercises is fun for us to do together. Example: We walk around the neighborhood in one direction (I let the kids choose) for 15 minutes, then return back home. Once we’re home I do 20 squats holding the baby. Or lunges over the kids. My kids personal favorite is to have the baby crawl on my back while doing push-ups. Other days, we just go on a long walk or bike ride with the dog to get out some energy and burn some calories.

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The most important part here is you need to be realistic with yourself. Perhaps you start doing this 80/20. 80% of the time you stick with organic and healthy and then 20% of the time you allow yourself some freedom (in moderation). Now that doesn’t include the diet. For me, if I allow myself a “cheat” day, it’s all over and all of my hard work is undone (or it’s two weeks later and I am kicking myself for hopping off the wagon). If unhealthy food is seriously an addiction for you I would highly suggest a food cleanse to help you move past those sugar and refined carbohydrate addictions. Once you get past that initial change, it’s all downhill from there! By making these changes a way of life you’re committing to your health and wellness in the new year and beyond!

What changes have you made in your life this year?