The holidays are over and many of you are feeling tired, lazy, sluggish, and a little bloated. Maybe your digestions off. Maybe you had a stressful holiday, are broke and feeling guilty. Or you enjoyed every moment of indulgence and are ready to jump back into routine, in full force. The holidays mean different things to everyone, and while I like to get my workouts done year round, I will admit to needing some re-vamping in many areas of my life.

It can seem overwhelming with social media being flooded with New Year's resolution posts. Especially if a gym membership/trainer/classes is out of your budget, or your busy condo gym is overwhelming you, but wellness and fitness are more accessible than ever these days.

I want to encourage to make changes based on your health and wellness rather than your outside appearance. This year I am focusing on healing my body and mind rather than focus on a specific body building or appearance goal. I believe with a healthy habits, an impressive physique will come. Longevity and taking care of your precious temple should always be number one. Treat yourself well so that you will be happy and healthy and be able to be active into your later years.

Add caption

It is truly scary what chronic stress, whacky hormone levels (thyroid, insulin, estrogen etc), lack of sleep, inactivity, and abuse of food/drugs/alcohol will do to you over time. Make this your year to tackle something big-- whether it be smoking, reducing stress, or starting to exercise or going to therapy. Put yourself first, make yourself a priority, and add years to your life.

Steps to making lasting change:

• Put a plan in place and write down your intentions. Set an intention for the year, and repeat it every day.
• Remind yourself daily as to why you are setting out with your intention. For example: I will no longer smoke because it will take years off of my life and put me at risk for cancer. It puts me at risk for chronic diseases and cancer and may risk the chance of having a family. It is costing me physically and financially.
•  Keep yourself in environments that support your new behaviour. Especially while trying to first make a change. If you are trying to stop smoking or drinking, do not go out drinking and avoid events where this will come up. Keep active and surround yourself with like minded people. If you know a situation will be risky, avoid it in the early stages.
• https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/momentum/laookkfknpbbblfpciffpaejjkokdgca?hl=en
• Check out the above extension for Google Chrome. It's free and can help to keep you on track (thanks Gillian Reid for this).
• Do not compare yourselves to others. Have mentors and motivating people around you, but go at your own pace. Be firm but gentle with yourself. 
• Don't rely on motivation, because it will not always be there. Develop habits with work and the behaviours will eventually become habit. 
• Take charge now, today. Schedule time to ensure things get done, use the buddy system. I book in workouts, juicing, meal prep, work time, etc with others to ensure that I do not slack and stay on course. It works. If you are interested in making changes to your workouts and/or nutrition, please contact me via facebook (https://www.facebook.com/whitneynicolehills/),  IG (@whitneynicolehills) or email  (whitneynicolehills@gmail.com)

Let this be the beginning of something wonderful.
It's never too late, and the choice is always yours.