Jumpstart Your 2017 Health Goals Now + New Balance Giveaway!

Confession: I completely fell off the workout wagon. BUT it’s tradition I start my New Year health resolutions in December. And I highly suggest doing the same!

The best part of my philosophy? You don’t have to work out or watch your eating this month.

Before I explain, let’s talk about WHY you should kickstart your New Year resolutions now versus January.

• You will hit the ground running come the New Year. Tiny steps TRULY make a HUGE difference. They set you up for success and there’s no figuring things out. You can just go!
• You won’t go completely wild over the holidays (which means less to work off). Not only is it more effective to ease into change (versus going cold turkey), your goals will be top of mind now. For example, you’ll stop at 3 cookies versus 5 on Christmas Eve.
• You’ll see results faster. Just 1 hour of planning today, pays off big time in January. Since you’re getting your head in the right mindset now, you’ll be excited to start working out more! Versus dreading that first trip to the gym after all those sweets, treats and booze. This also helps you stick to your goals.

If you plan on incorporating  a healthier lifestyle for 2017, here are 2 EASY ways to ensure it’s a success.

1. GET OUT YOUR CALENDAR NOW. I’m not even kidding. Go get it this very second (phone or planner)! You’re going to add 2 things and it will take you 7 minutes tops.

• Schedule 1 hour to get yourself some new workout gear BEFORE 1/1. Tip: invite a friend to go with and grab lunch/coffee afterwards! There are a ton of holiday sales and cute stuff out right now. New gear (even if it’s just a sports bra from Target) is going to help motivate you to get to the gym. If you prefer to do it online, WRITE IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.
• Pencil in days and times you plan to exercise (for ex. every Mon, Wed, Thurs). Do this for BOTH January and ESPECIALLY February. It doesn’t need to be detailed and don’t over think it. You can always change the dates and times later. The key is getting these down in writing today. Note: 75% of people fall off the New Year goal band wagon in February. So don’t skip planning this month. This will keep you on track when the excitement wears off.

2. Look cute! Now that you’ve put your goals in writing and on the calendar, this is my favorite part! Find some items you feel confident in. Even if it’s just a sports bra, this will motivate you to get out the door. Which is by far the hardest part.

I was DESPERATE for new shoes (mine were so muddy from all the rain and snow!). The white parts where brown! So when New Balance Chicago invited me in to try their free Fit Analysis, it was a no brainer. And it’s AWESOME. If you’re in the market for new kicks, New Balance has the cutest and most stylish options! I fell in love with New Balance all over again since their J.Crew collaboration.

Not only do they do a deep analysis, they help find the right shoe for your needs. First you stand on a sensor, that analyzes where you carry weight in your feet. The red shows the highest pressure points and your arches. Next, they have you walk on the treadmill to see your form. From there, your Fit Specialist will give you recommendations. I went with these. They’re perfect for walking Larry on the Prairie Path, walking around the neighborhood but still looks great with jeans and sweaters! But they have awesome running/training shoes too.

Also, since burgundy is a huge trend this winter, I couldn’t help myself with this turtle neck top (in store). Love the pockets especially!

So what do you say? You want to set yourself up for success this January too? Well thanks to New Balance, they are offering an awesome GIVEAWAY for you guys!

New Balance is giving YOU a chance to win…

• Free Fit Analysis with your very own Fit Specialist
• Free pair of shoes (retail value up to $175)
• $50 Gift Card towards another pair of shoes and/or apparel

Rules and details below or you can go here. Best of luck guys!