Dear Red Hot Mamas- January 2020

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

The New Year and New Decade is Calling

For many of us, December was all about overindulgence- spending too much money; eating excessively – whether we were full or not; and drinking one too many cocktails since it obviously was “time to celebrate”. And, of course, there was no time allotted to exercise.

Our free time seems always to be gobbled up with other obligations. And, it’s not just been through the holidays, but even through the past year, many of us simply haven’t been able to sneak in a daily workout, even a daily walk.

Well, now it’s January, 2020, and millions of people, like us, have started their New Year’s resolutions. Sales of chocolates and alcohol have declined and memberships at health clubs and diet programs are now flooded with people.

After all, it is a New Year, a new decade , 2020, and a new beginning for us all to potentially have the healthiest and best year and decade of our lives!

It’s a time for introspection, self-improvement, positive change and to move on to the new year with purpose and hope. Right now is the moment you can start enriching your life by setting your goals for the days, months and years to follow.

It’s easy to find motivation early in the new year. What better time to want to lose weight than after the holidays? Some of us feel like couch potatoes, overstuffed and overbaked.

Our bank accounts also may look rather bleak after overspending on gifts for others. We reckon with that by stopping our spending before our debts becomes even deeper. Saving money is usually at the top of our New Year’s resolution list, but many of us even fail at this resolution even before January 31st begins.

Then the February lull arrives. How many times have you broken a New Year’s resolution where your health is concerned? Be honest! It’s so easy to think, “It’s winter, it’s too cold to exercise. I’ll wait until spring when the weather warms up”. The excuses come out and the promises of resolutions are postponed until next year. Sound familiar?

Don’t tell yourself “better luck next year”. The key to avoiding the typical doomed fate of the resolution is to be realistic. Don’t expect to change your life around in one day. If your resolution is to lose weight, set small, practical goals instead of large unachievable ones. Don’t expect to lose 20 pounds by February. Instead, target to lose 2- 5 pounds per month over four months.

The choice to improve your life is yours. I hope that you are willing to initiate a change for better health this year. Now is the time to make a commitment to your health.

Red Hot Mamas list of “20 Ways to Become Healthier in 2020”:

1. Turn off the TV, phone, iPad, computer and schedule this time to work out!

2. Get moving and do what you like! Focus on fun activities that will hold your interest. If you like dancing, do a Zumba workout! Just find an activity you can stick with!

3. Formulate achievable goals and start small and build momentum!

4. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends for healthy adults to do 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise physical activity per week and strength training at least 2 times per week

5. Make yourself accountable by keeping a journal detailing your progress

6. Eat healthier and more wholesome foods

7. Start fresh and on a clean slate by throwing out leftover holiday sweets

8. Snack smart by filling up on fruits and vegetables which are low in calories and high in nutrients

9. Never skip meals and practice portion control

10. Eat majority of calories before 5PM

11. Stay hydrated as we often confuse thirst for hunger

12. Cut out liquid calories – soda, lattes, alcoholic beverages

13. Reduce Stress and practice relaxation techniques (deep breathing, meditation, relaxation to music)

14. Stop smoking and other bad habits

15. Get a good night’s sleep and establish a regular sleep schedule

16. Make sure your sleep surroundings are comfortable, dark and quiet

17. Lighten up your load by laughing more. Laughter is the best medicine. It stimulates many organs – heart, lungs, brain; relieves stress and improves your mood

18. Put humor on your horizon and look for it around you- in people’s behavior, on TV, newspapers, etc.

19. Wear a smile. Laugh with other people when they laugh

20. Make sure you have fun!!

In closing, no matter what resolutions you have chosen, please remember that they may help you to look forward to the future with a clearer view of what you need to do. It is my hope that you can stick with your resolutions, accomplish your goals, and delight in the positive feelings of achieving good health