Blushes, Brushes & Barbells

Happy New Year Barbelles!

Yesterday I posted my 10 Beauty Resolutions for 2016, and since this is Blushes, Brushes AND Barbells, I thought it was appropriate to follow up with 10 healthy and fitness resolutions as well. Let’s jump right in!

It should come as no surprise that SLEEP falls under both my Beauty and Health Resolution lists. It is arguably the most important thing you can do for your mental and physical health. Rest is such a luxury in our society today; this year I’m going to make proper sleep and recovery a focus in my health routine. I expect to see benefits in the gym as a result!

Speaking of recovery…I’m going to make a point to foam roll every day. The older I get, the less flexible I am and that is not a cycle I am interested in continuing. Foam rolling may be painful, but it helps my muscles recover and prepare for another day’s work in the gym.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels constantly rushed/stressed/anxious etc. This year I’m going to make a point to stop and put things in perspective. Nine times out of ten there is no reason to get stressed out about something and on that tenth occasion, there is always a solution. In the words of the Dalai Lama “If it can be solved, there’s no need to worry, and if it can’t be solved, worry is of no use.”

This goes both for the number on the scale, the number in my calorie log and the numbers of my lifts in the gym. I need to LET IT GO and focus on the positive changes I’m making for my health and body. Fat loss is not linear and setting unrealistic expectations for myself is not a productive use of my time. Likewise, being in a caloric deficit all of the time and being disappointed by my lifts not increasing is also not productive. This is not an excuse to not work hard; it is meant to free my mind and allow for those changes to take effect without bullying myself.

I read this year that sitting is worse for your health than smoking. Despite the fact that I exercise daily, I sit at a desk for the majority of my day. I will make an effort to get up, move around and stretch it out at least once an hour for my mental healthy and physical well being.

Are you sensing a theme here? I’ve become concerned with my flexibility, especially in my hips and hamstrings. In addition to foam rolling and moving more, I am going to stretch my muscles daily.

I’m a realist. I wish I were an optimist, but sadly I will never be. I sometimes let negativity sink into my brain and mess up my day. This year I will make a HUGE effort to approach every situation, every day with a positive outlook. Instead of thinking “what can go wrong” I’ll try to think “what can go right”. I CAN and I WILL. See? I’ve already started.

Protein is the most important macro-nutrient associated with building muscle. Since my number one goal is to build muscle and burn fat, it is imperative that I eat an appropriate amount of protein daily. It will be my number one focus when I choose my meals and I will strive to eat 1 gram/pound of body weight each day.

Time to cut the shit. I’m looking at you fro yo…longingly…endearingly…

But seriously, I have goals to achieve. Cutting out anything superfluous from my normal diet is on my to-do list. Of course, the occasional splurge is nothing to shy away from, but it cannot be a frequent occurrence.

Last but not least, I will celebrate the small victories in 2016. Instead of thinking about how much further I have to go, I will focus on how far I’ve come. Every pound of fat I lose/muscle I gain, every extra pound of weight I can lift at the gym, every day I try my best is a day to celebrate. Not with fro yo though…damn you fro yo get out of my head.

What are your health and fitness resolutions for 2016? I’d love to hear them!