Happy New Year!  “2020” just sounds like a bright, promising and exciting year full of possibility, doesn’t it?  Have you made any resolutions?  If not, there’s still time to hop onto one of these popular and healthy challenges – or just make one that works for you.

Dry January

Since 2012, millions of people have opted to take the month off from alcohol, thanks to Dry January, an initiative started by Alcohol Change UK.  Participants reported better sleep, less anxiety, less irritability and sometimes weight loss.  While the original challenge promoted complete abstinence, there is now much flexibility built-in, with options for a “dryish” January for those who would like to drink less, but still have a glass of wine or beer on certain occasions.  Participants set their own goals.  For more on Dry January, see the Today Show report, which focused on the effects of drinking and aging and why Dry January is a great idea for women.

7-Day Sugar Challenge

Another topic making headlines is sugar.  Basically, as Americans, we eat way too much of it.  Sugar is in places we never even imagined (like spaghetti sauce and pretzels).  And – here is the kicker – it makes us age (oh – so does alcohol, by the way – also a sugar!)  Dr. Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist at University of California, San Francisco, explains that the more sugar we eat, the faster we age.  For more on sugar, read this fascinating article from The New York Times where you can also sign up for the very simple 7-Day Sugar Challenge.  Don’t be afraid!  I signed up and made it through Day 1 (Eat a “no sugar” breakfast).  My smoothie passed the challenge!  You get fantastic tips from the challenge in your email box.

Begin Something New in Food

Perhaps you already abstain from alcohol and sugar.  Maybe you need a different challenge?  The possibilities are endless.  I loved this article from the Washington Post about five different journalists/editors and their food resolutions for 2020.  One resolved to pack her lunch and bring it to the office three times per week instead of buying lunch.  Another promised to make better breakfasts.  One decided to forgo meat for the entire month of January.  And yet another – this was a favorite of mine – decided to not eat any meal alone for the entire month.  She would only eat with another human.  What would you add to this fantastic list of food resolutions?

Be Kinder To Yourself

We live in such a busy world.  It’s hard to remember to be kind to ourselves - or to even believe that we have the time to do so. However, it is so important to find that time for our solitude, for connecting with others, for enjoying the good things in life, for taking mental breaks and more.  This article from The New York Times Smarter Living Series is chock full of ideas on ways to be kinder to yourself.  If you resolve to read it once a month, you will be likely to re-frame how you look at certain situations or perhaps you will even try something new – and kinder.

Re-Commit To Fitness

I would be remiss if I did not mention this last resolution.  Turn on your TV and you will see all the commercials for big gyms.  January is fitness month.  It’s nearly impossible to escape the holiday season without a missed workout or two (or five).  It can be hard sometimes to set this intention in January.  Days are short and it is cold.  Why can’t June be re-commit to fitness month?  One way to get past that mindset is to think of fitness as something to do in January.  Another tactic?  I try to remember to be grateful for my indoor place to exercise in January.  Or I think of how great I will feel when my workout is over. 

Tom and LeAnna are running a January special!  Get unlimited group classes for 1 month starting the day you sign up, for only $75. Sign up by January 15th to get this amazing deal! Sign up here http://ow.ly/QZyo50xIduW

Here’s to a Happy Healthy New Year!