Can you believe that 2023 is right around the corner?! Me neither!
For many of us, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on our highs and lows of the year. And for some of us, we fall into the trap of making lofty ‘New Years Resolutions’ and forget about them mid-February….but not this year!
I’m kicking off a monthly challenge, starting today! My goal is for you to add in small, healthy habits each month. You can’t make major lifestyle changes all at once and expect them to stick around. You’ve got to move slowly but surely! While these changes might feel small as you make them, by the time 2024 rolls around, you’ll be able to look back and see how the small changes add up!
Try to focus on the ONE habit I’m challenging you to add in per month. Once you’ve mastered that, it will feel much easier to add in the next! Are you ready to hear January’s Monthly Challenge?! (Don’t worry, we’re starting with something simple)
DRINK MORE WATER!
So now you may be asking, how much is the right amount for me? Typically for my clients, I recommend .5 – 1 ounce of water per pound you weigh. If you drink caffeine, that subtracts from your hydration, so you’ll need to add more. If you have a vigorous workout, you’ll also need to add more hydration! On a typical day, I have the recommended amount of water and I do count a bottle of electrolytes in this amount. I’ll also have a glass of Kombucha with a meal (if you haven’t tried Kombucha before, here are a few tips.. drink it with a meal otherwise it can cause bloating, start with a small amount 4ish oz and work up to 8 oz at a time), most mornings I use coconut water or aloe vera juice in my greens to help spruce it up a bit.
If it helps you be mindful of your water intake, you may want to buy a cute water bottle or cup that will make you more likely to reach for it. Sometimes something as simple as drinking water from a straw can help make it more enjoyable! Experiment and find what works for you!
Now, why is drinking water so important, anyway?
It Aids in Detoxification
Water helps purify your kidneys, and these organs help process key nutrients and toxins! Water flushes free radicals out and oxygenates your cells to help produce more of the good stuff. Drinking water = giving thanks to your immune system.
Metabolic Waste
It sounds fancy, but really metabolic waste is just particles in our body that are of no use to us. Metabolic waste can constrict our muscles and lead to improper flow of toxin flushing. When you drink water, you give your muscles a chance to loosen-up and therefore release the tense muscles that hold waste.
It Kicks Dehydration to the Curb
Bottom line staying hydrated is important everyday, year round. Those of you who know me know that I always have at least one container of water with me. A lot of days I also have another container with electrolytes hanging around. If I have it available I drink it, if I don’t the chances are much less that I will get in the amount I need daily! If you struggle with getting in enough water, try an app to track your consumption or get a water bottle that shows how much you need for the day. It can sometimes be fun to make a game out of it. Try not to panic if you are way below your recommended amount. Just ease into it! If you can increase it daily or weekly you will get there. Creating life-long healthy habits is a marathon, not a sprint.
You’ve got this, and I’m here to help!
- H2
