The New Year presents each of us an opportunity to get healthy. Whether the focus be on physical fitness, mental health, or a combination of the two, many of us kick off the New Year with lofty goals for the year ahead. We feel the need to hit the reset button after two holiday months of eating, snacking and sipping. I used to be one of those who set bold, health-centered New Year's resolutions, but saw how this actually had a negative impact on me physically and emotionally. Here is why.

I recently had the opportunity to be a part of Kindsey Pentecost’s new cookbook Simply Balanced. In her book, she shares not only amazing recipes, but also discusses the idea of balanced living and what it yields in return. Eating well and exercising regularly being one category that make a huge impact on your overall health.

I myself have never been on a diet. Truth is, I love food and even have said numerous times that the reason I workout as much as I do is to counterbalance the fact that I eat whatever I want whenever I want. Going into 2021, I took a step back and decided to take a different approach with my health. While I will always be one that exercises consistently, I decided to be more consistent and intentional with my selection of foods too.

I love sweets, but limiting myself to only have dessert once a day rather than after every meal is one of the little tweaks I am bringing into the New Year. I also am a big proponent of intermittent fasting and will continue allowing myself to eat only between the hours of 12-8pm. I tell you all of this not because you need to do the same, but because for years I did what everyone else did. I committed myself to ridiculous diets and unrealistic workout schedules to achieve something that, when all was said and done, I really didn’t like. At 45, I am choosing to enter this New Year with gratefulness for my health, for my body and what it still is capable of doing.

I want to be healthy, but more importantly, I want to be balanced in all aspects of my life. This will result in the healthiest and happiest version of myself. As a licensed personal trainer, I believe in exercise. It actually is less about the workout you choose and has more to do with your consistency in doing them. Don’t go into the month of January doing something that you are burnt out on by March.

My love for Peloton and the Peloton community is like none other. Not only am I doing what is best for my body type, but I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow and the next day because it accomplishes everything for me. That may not be the case for you, which is why you have to find what works for you. I used to spend hours at a gym that I drove 45 minutes to get to and all I did was stay in a constant state of inflammation on my body. Looking back, I don’t even like how I looked with that type of exercise but I thought I was so healthy by doing it.

Find what works for YOU and take everyone else out of the equation. Everybody is different. Be aware of how you feel and if you desire to go back day after day and you are feeling and seeing results. Make it part of your life like you do a meal. It shouldn’t be something you dread, but rather something that brings you joy and helps you bring your best version of yourself to the table every single day. It’s a New Year and you have permission to do and be exactly who you desire to be.