5 Steps to Starting Your New Years Resolution

New Years is so so so close! Say goodbye to 2014 and say hello to YOUR YEAR! This will be the year that we work harder than ever to achieve our dreams. Now, I can't help you pay off your student loans, but I like to think that I can help you with your resolution to lose weight/get healthy/get fit. I'll be posting my resolutions soon, but first let me help you get started on yours!

1. Think BIG then SMALL. You might want to lose 100 pounds total. That's a great goal! But that might not happen in 1 year and thinking so far ahead can make you give up. So start small with monthly goals. Saying you want to lose 5 pounds in January is a goal that you can achieve and will inspire you to keep working hard!

2. See where you're at. Weigh yourself, and then do a little research to find out what a HEALTHY weight for you should be. It is important to be realistic about your health, no matter how hard it can be.

3. Set yourself up for success by staying accountable. Join a program like Weight Watchers, or download an app like My Fitness Pal or Lose It! These are all great ways to track your calories and activities. By seeing exactly how much you are eating and what healthy portions look like, it will be easy to see why you gained weight and will put you on the path to eating right.

4. Join a gym/workout program. Diet is the most important place to start, but you will see faster and better results if you get that body moving! It will also really improve your overall health. There are a TON of programs and challenges out there on the internet. My personal favorite is Blogilates (review for her program will be up in a few weeks). You can also buy programs like Insanity. There is also the option of combining different things and creating your own program!

5. Do it with a friend! Having a workout buddy makes you more likely to go to the gym and will keep you more accountable. It is also nice to have someone that knows what you are going through and can keep you motivated and on track!

What are your New Years Resolutions? Comment below or tweet with #bodyaspirations

5 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

Staying on your diet and eating healthy can be difficult at anytime, but it is especially challenging during the winter holidays. The urge to stay in your warm bed eating cookies and milk all day is very strong. The holidays are great and you all deserve to celebrate and take part in all the festivities which enjoy the delicious foods. But there is no reason to overdue it and make the holidays a time of regret and loss of progress. So here are a few helpful ideas to help you stay on your plan and be in control during the holidays.

1. Grab a small plate. Most plates are way too big for healthy serving sizes. A small plate can handle your 6 oz piece of ham, a scoop of mashed potatoes, gravy, a roll, and green beans. Filling up a large plate with these foods likely means you are overeating!

2. Avoid spending days in pajamas. That includes leggings! It's okay to get comfortable but it is easy to ignore that extra weight gain if all of your clothes are stretchy. Put on a nice outfit, go to a holiday party. Be proud of your progress and you will work harder to maintain it.

3. Don't Skip Workouts. There is almost always time for a workout!! Even if you can only fit in 15 minutes here and there, it is worth it. That extra serving of mashed potatoes taste better without the guilt of skipping a workout.

4. Try not to snack! Instead eat a proper dessert with everyone else. You will end up eating more if you are taking a bite or two every time you walk by the treats.

5. Plan your meals! If you know you REALLY want to splurge during a party or a dinner, then try to plan how much you will consume. Then incorporate some extra workouts and healthier eating around the event to keep your progress on track.