New Year, New You!

The holidays are behind us and a new year full of blessings lies ahead! The hibernation we experience during the winter months creates the perfect space to quietly prepare for change in the New Year. What does "new year, new you" mean to you? Do you wish to lose weight? Get fit? Sleep better? Reduce stress? Simplify?

There are a few things you need to consider as you prepare to make the lifestyle changes that will help you achieve your health goals. You'll need to first identify what your optimal state of health and wellness looks like. You can make a list, a drawing, or a collage so that you can see your vision on paper. Then put this in a highly visible place as a daily reminder of your intentions.

Try to stand on the scale or before the mirror in a place of self-acceptance, even if you are busting out of your jeans! I realize this sounds crazy but it's important. It's more common to look at our bodies with disgust, loathing, and even hatred, focusing on what's wrong rather than what's right. Even if you are overweight or managing an illness, your body continues to perform amazing feats every day. Identify the situations, moods, thoughts, or people that trigger harmful behaviors. This requires mindfulness of both our internal and external environments. Practicing an "attitude of gratitude" will help you attract blessings into your life.

Believe in yourself! In order to make the changes you are envisioning you must believe that you have the ability to accomplish your health goals. This can be a challenge if you have failed in the past. However, it is imperative that you believe that in this moment you have the capacity to succeed. Remember, whatever state your body is in now is impermanent. You may wish to create a mantra, affirmation, or positive statement to help rebuild your self-efficacy.

Think about how you will reward yourself to reinforce your changes. Try to come up with rewards that involve acts of self-care like treating yourself to bodywork such as a massage, facial, or reflexology session. Other ideas might be an aromatherapy candle, book, CD, meditation cushion, or body lotion. When you achieve a significant goal perhaps you can give yourself a day at a spa or retreat center.

Based on past experience and present moment awareness you will get to know yourself better. This self-knowledge will help you practice a higher level of self-care that eventually you'll do with more ease.

Be careful of the "turning over a new leaf" mentality. For changes to last, we must practice a new behavior, attitude, or way of thinking for 3-6 months. Statistics show that most people who crash diet or participate in intense exercise programs relapse after six months. Remember, the key to making lifelong change is to take small steps. We may not be able to control what life presents us with, but we always have control over how we manage ourselves. One breath, one choice at a time, we inch our way to an optimal state of health and well-being.