Challenge Accepted: 2020 — Fit + Finesse

“They *see pictures, they say goals. I’m who they trying to be.”*

-Cardi B

Let’s start off 2020 with a bit of honesty. Sometimes it feels like we (us, our friends, you) in an unfair position. We talked a lot in 2019 about burnout. We were constantly on-the-go. As soon as one goal was accomplished, we were on to the next. We left very little time to rest and recover. Instead of celebrating the small wins, we often focused on constantly feeling like we were five steps behind the big, lofty goal we set for ourselves.

The mindset today is to keep working, keep grinding, keep going until you have made it. Then turn around and help others. We believe in this wholeheartedly. What we don’t believe in is risking our mental health on the journey. Life is truly a marathon, not a sprint.

In the same vein, health is not a one time goal you achieve. We are focused on building an overall healthy lifestyle and helping you get there as well. This year, we are upping the ante on making sure we are having fun while we make strides toward those big, lofty goals. Sometimes the best first step is simply buying those cute shoes that will motivate you to actually lace them up and get moving.

So here is our 2020 challenge:

January

Create or purchase a workout journal.

One tool we swear by is a workout journal. We use this to track our workouts daily, but you can make this as simple or in-depth as you like. Add in your water intake, food log, or keep track of your mood. We keep these journals around year after year to remind of how far we’ve come, what we were doing six months ago that worked and identify why we may be experiencing slumps.

February

It’s a leap year, use that extra day for YOU.

Make the most out of the “extra” 2020 provides. Take a cooking class. Check out a salsa night. Go paint something pretty. Shut down and spend some time reading at that cute new coffee shop. Make that extra day all about you.

In March, the sun starts to shine a little brighter and more greenery begins to pop up as winter fades away. There’s also Daylight Savings Time to shake things up. Set your sights on the warmer days ahead by signing up for a race or challenge.

There so much to discover in the world around us. Take a weekend to go on your own epic adventure. Drive to the nearest state park for hiking, visit that amazing restaurant that’s two hours away or go big with a hot air balloon ride in wine country. Get acquainted with the wanderer in you.

May

In the word of 702, “where my girls at?”

Gather a few of your favorite friends for a fun workout. This is hands down our favorite thing to do. Book a hip hop cycling or yoga class together. Get sassy at a pole dancing class, or push each other towards empowerment with a boxing class. Not only will you be one workout closer to summertime fine together, but you are sure to have an afternoon full of laughs..

It takes 21 days to form a healthy habit, so why not take on a 30-day challenge? Cook at home for 30 days. Try a vegan diet. Sign up for bootcamp. Set your alarm to mediate or journal every morning.

You’ve been killing it in the gym for the past six months. Change up your scenery. This is the time of year when you can find free and low-cast workouts on rooftops, parks and beaches. A lot of places also like to get creative. Check out your favorite hotel’s yoga series or join a running group that meets at a local distillery.

You’ve made it halfway through the year. Now it’s time to reflect. Why don’t you do this while focusing on your health and wellness? Try a wellness trend like crytotheraphy, a salt cave or sweat studio.

September

Hit the reset button and focus on nutrition.

Summer fun can wipe you out. It is also a season where nutrition tends to take a back seat. Refocus on meal prep. Have a plan to prepare most of your meals at home and find a few new recipes to keep things flavorful and exciting for you.

The holiday season is right around the corner. This means a lot of invitations are coming and you may end up running into THAT family member, ex or old friend. Get a handle on things now by taking a self-care day. Book a massage or a therapy session. Or, escape reality by getting lost in your local library. Grab a book, curl up in a corner and read until your heart is content.

One of the most fun races we’ve done was a Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving morning. It was a quick, cardio burst to get a hold on the good eats we would have later. It was a family atmosphere and people were just there to have fun. Maybe you can make it a new family memory and get everyone out of bed for a little extra motivation.

December

Give your friends and family some love

Give yourself a little grace this holiday season. In between the social engagements, you may find yourself taking a few extra days off from the gym. Or, you may need to unplug to recharge. Both are okay. Surround yourself by family and friends that fill your heart with joy and truly enjoy the holiday season.