Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you were able to get a good start on your New Year’s Resolution with last week’s tips! I know a lot of us have healthy living resolutions…or at least I do. Again. And I woke up New Year’s morning noon ready to meet my goal in the first week. (I’m kidding, but you get it.) But you know what I didn’t do? I didn’t overdo it and act like a crazy person. I remembered last week’s tips and made very specific goals. And I purposely DID NOT under any circumstances, go to the gym. I’ll stick to at home workouts until the crowd thins out.

As part of our January series, I have two more tips to scoot you right along in your healthy living goals for 2014!!

#3: Make a plan

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I roll my eyes, but it’s true. I have been the most successful when I make a plan.

We all have non-negotiables that we have to schedule our time around. Mine is class. Yours might be your job or staying home with kids. Whatever it is, get a planner, and WRITE IT DOWN. Or put it in your phone—something! It does wonders! Even if you feel silly because you obviously know you have work 8-5. Just do it. Once you do that, pencil in your workouts and whatever other things you need to do.

Bare with me—but here is MY schedule, where I’ve tentatively planned my typical week. I promise I’m really fun….Really!! 😉

(click for a better view)

Side note: To an extent sometimes life just happens, and we can’t stick to our planner. This is ok. Our planner isn’t our Bible. As long as we don’t let “life” become an excuse for skipping the gym, say, EVERY DAY. Make time for it, but on days you truly don’t have time, don’t beat yourself up, Champ.:)

That being said, #4 is: MAKE time

I think this deserves special recognition. As previously mentioned, sometimes we just DON’T have time. But how many times have I gotten up with the intention of getting X, Y, and Z done…and not done any of them? Too many to count! So this is pretty simple – If this is important to you (which it is, because you made it your New Year’s Resolution!!!!!!!) make time for it so you can achieve it. Say you want to eat at least 3 dinners per week at home….make time for all aspects of it. Grocery shopping, cooking, eating, and cleanup. It takes work, but there is no greater satisfaction than meeting your goal—especially one that your family benefits from! Want to become a runner? You might lose an hour of sleep in the mornings or an hour of Pinterest time. Give and take.

(I’ll have tips next week on how to get organized in order to make the most of your time.)

I want to make a special note that this by no means has to consume your life. Nothing should take up all of our time. There’s a big difference between making time for a quick workout every other day, and living at the gym; between “meal prep” and meal obsession.

Keep your loved ones first and your priorities in check and you’ll be fine! Go get ‘em, Tiger.

Till next week,

Randi