We are plowing through the first month of the year and making good on our resolutions and goals….right!? ::waits::
Right?!
OK, so in the spirit of goal getting let’s take a quick focus on our health and wellness.
Below are a few critical things to take care of annually…but know this: it doesn’t have to happen around January 1. This can be something you do on a solstice that is meaningful to you, or on your birthday–your personal new year.
Without further ado, here are some new year health and wellness must-dos:
Look Back
We have to look back to look ahead, right? Take stock of where you have been this past year. Everything you’ve gone through health and wellness wise. Maybe journal about it. Make note of what you did right, what improved, what could be tweaked in the year ahead, and what changes you made and stuck with in the past 365 days. What habits will you continue? Which will you change? Use the past year as your guide for your next one.
Visit All the Doctors
This is a good one to do around the new calendar year (or before the new calendar year, depending on your insurance situation #realtalk) or your birthday. Get that mammogram, get your downstairs checked, get a full blood panel done, all of it! Visit your doctors and specialists to ensure you’re health is on point and you start the year without any un-checked nagging health issues. This helps guide your goals because depending on what results you get from all the docs, you may choose to focus on a specific aspect of your health in the year ahead.
Set a fitness goal for the year
This is a fun one. You can go big or small, but set a goal that you can reach within the next 365 days. You can use your medical feedback to inspire the goal, or just choose something at random. I set a goal to run a half marathon this year which is a big deal for me because while I love running, I don’t like running farther than a mile at a time. I chose a goal that will be a bit of a stretch to get to, and will feel amazing when I crush it. Your goal can be a one big thing, or can be a daily habit you want to cultivate. Oh and don’t forget to take before and after photos (and monthly progress photos along the way)… just in case!
Get a DEXA scan
A DEXA scan is a great fitness scan that tells you about your weight, body fat %, types of body fat, bone density and more. This test is easy and quick (6 minutes long and you just lay down still on the machine fully clothed) and gives you a great baseline to move forward with through the year. After your results are printed out (and emailed to you) you go through point by point to see what you can do to improve your health in the year ahead.
I got my DEXA scan done just before the new year and was horrified by the results so I have set little goals to improve my results for next year.
Get Fresh Gear
If you’ve been running in the same sneakers all year and haven’t upgraded your sports bra or workout clothes in a while, the new year is a great time to get fresh items.
It is also a great time to get a fresh piece of equipment for your home that will help reinforce a wellness mindset, or lead you toward reaching your fitness goal.
You don’t have to go crazy and spend loads of money, but some leggings from ActiveFit or Evolve Fitwear could last you through the year ahead.
What health and wellness practices do you have for each new year?
This piece was sponsored by DexaFit and all words, thoughts, opinions and ideas are my own.
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