I no longer make new years resolutions, although I do think it is important to set goals for the upcoming years.  I believe that the key to reaching your goals is to commit fully to the process and make sure set goals are a priority, it should be a constant process of assessment and adjustment rather than a set start and end date.  If it helps you personally for these goals to come in the form of “new years resolutions” that’s awesome, but make sure you have a plan of action.

For example one of my most recent goals is to learn Spanish I have made this a goal in the past but now it is a priority, I am headed to Costa Rica in March for a month. When I set this goal last year I didn’t categorize it as important and after 2 weeks of 10 minutes a day on Duolingo, I stopped. Now although I still have a long way to go, I am doing what I can each day to add a little bit more Spanish to my life, I’ve made it a priority and am enjoying the process.

Being in the health and fitness industry I’ve experienced first hand the waves of motivated gym goers for January, February and maybe March and then there is the fall off. Life gets in the way and takeout food and curling up on the couch to watch Netflix becomes a lot more enticing than your healthy news years resolutions. Don’t fall into this trap, set enjoyable goals all year, find a reason to make them a priority and focus on the process NOT just the end result, trust me it will make a world of difference.

I was asked the question recently what do I think is harder eating healthy or exercising? And I really had to think about it because, fortunately, I have made both of them a major priority in my life. This is what New Years resolutions come down to, priorities. It is not that I don’t think exercising and eating healthy are hard, 100 percent they are tough. There are times when I have to drag myself to the gym, and resist eating take-out when I am feeling lazy and don’t feel like cooking. I have been there, I have gone through the guilt of skipping a workout because I was tired or eating pizza when I think I “should have” made a soup and salad. I get it, both eating healthy and exercising have their own challenges, and I have “ fallen off” before as well, but what keeps me going is the process. I love to be in the kitchen creating healthy meals and I love the feeling during and after a good strength training session. That is what keeps me going, I have fully committed to the why’s. Of course I workout and eat healthy to look good, but more importantly I do it because of how it makes me feel.

I have not always felt this way about exercising and eating healthy. I used to look at it as a chore, something that I had to do in order to keep the pounds off and be able to have my “cheat meals” on the weekends. I had an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise and just did it because I thought I had to. Now I am truly addicted to the way this lifestyle makes me feel, which is awesome!!! I’ve fallen in love with the process of leading a healthy lifestyle.

I am in no way trying to brag about how this lifestyle is “easy” for me, because it isn’t; it is something I have to work at everyday. Yes, this is what I do for a living and am extremely passionate about so of course I am willing to invest in it, but regardless of what your passion or occupation is, focusing on your body should be at the top of your list. Your body drives everything you do (physically, mentally, emotionally etc.) and deserves to be treated that way. It is easy to get caught up and say we want to lose 20 pounds in 2016, but why is this important for you?  And more importantly why 20 lbs? Sure it is good to check in and see where you are at every once and while but it can become unhealthy to keep checking the scale. The real questions are how do you feel? Are you confident? Are you focusing on the process or just the end result?

Here are some of my why’s behind why I workout and nourish my body properly, what are yours?

Why do I lift weights? Because one of the best feelings in the world is being able to do a pull up and getting under a heavy bar even though you’re terrified.

Why do I do boxing for conditioning? I have never been a “cardio” girl, so I find ways to avoid being on the treadmill for half an hour. Boxing has made conditioning so much more enjoyable, plus I get to hit things!

Why do I make green juices or smoothies everyday? Since I started adding green juices and smoothies my skin has cleared up and my energy has increased drastically, making me way more productive.

Why do I meditate? Meditation has helped me to get through some tough times and bring mindfulness into every aspect of my life.

While you are starting your 2016 resolutions and setting goals,  make sure to appreciate the process. What will you be doing to reach those goals everyday? Why do you have these goals? And are they truly a priority this year?

To recap; You will achieve your goals once you..

1) Make them a true priority 

2) Fall in love with the process

3) Know the why’s behind set goals

– Sylvie (O.G Lifestyles)