Ever feel like the weeks after the New Year are a bit hazy?  A combination of a few extra carbs, lots of celebrations, and (maybe) a few too many festive cocktails can make the weeks following the holidays feel like a fog you need to lift yourself out of.  Add in the reentry to work, and I need a nap just thinking about it!  While I have not mastered how to stay completely motivated during this cold post- holiday time, here are a few things to keep in mind as we enter into the new year!

Start Small – Park a little further away from the store…they say the goal is to get 10,000 steps a day, so why not add in a few during a shopping trip!  And, it will probably alleviate the added stress of trying to get the coveted close spot that everyone wants!

Get Outside- I know that this can be tough when it is cold and dark but do it anyway!  Looking for extra motivation?  Find a friend or a local run club  to help you feel accountable…and to help celebrate your successes!

Make A Plan- Just like you make a schedule for work, make a plan for your fitness regimen.  Put it on your calendar and treat it like you would a meeting.  Half the battle is finding time to get a sweat session in, so adding it to your daily schedule helps make sure it happens!

Set Goals- Everyone has different ideas of success, but whatever yours is, set goals to get there!  Don’t wait until the new year to get things started…start now!  Whether you want to get a little more active, or want to set a PR, NOW is the time to start working towards your goals!

Have Fun- The new year is a blank slate, so whatever you do, make it fun!  If you can, include friends and family in some of your activities. Use the weekends to sweat with a friend that you might not get to see during the week.  Or if your children are home from school for a snow day, go for a family walk around the neighborhood!

No matter what, the key (for me) with this time of year, is to try to enjoy the possibilities that a new year brings!  Don’t be afraid to carve out some time for yourself following a friends and family packed holiday season- I know that I am always a little more cheerful once I have gotten in my daily workout!  Cheers to a happy and healthy 2020!

About Kate:

• Vice President of Marketing at J&A Racing
• Favorite J&A Racing Event: Anthem Wicked 10K
• Favorite Personal Race Memory: meeting up with an old friend annually to the run Anthem Shamrock Half Marathon and the Richmond Half Marathon
• Random Fun Fact: spent a few years living the good life Jackson, WY before settling back in VB