TAKING ACTION: ✅ Who’s ready?! Comment LET’S GO below if you’re ready to crush goals in 2026! 💥🔥 It’s the first Monday of the New Year, and you know what that means—it’s time to get down to business! We’ve made it through the holidays, and now is the time to refocus. 🎉 I’ve said it before—nothing miraculously happens between December 31st and New Year’s; however, studies have shown that the New Year is a great opportunity to lean into your resolutions or goals. Why? Well, it’s a little something called “the honeymoon phase”. 🌙 That’s right! Just like you can experience a honeymoon phase in your personal relationships, this is also true for your health & wellness journeys. A brand-new year psychologically feels like a clean slate. Research on the “fresh-start effect” shows people are far more likely to pursue goals after temporal landmarks like January 1st because it creates a mental break from past failures. The important thing to note here is that the “honeymoon phase” must be done with intention. That’s the only way it works. The goal isn’t to go hard and heavy and burn yourself out within the first few weeks. The goal is to intentionally act out sustainable and healthy strategies that will move the needle slightly forward. In case you’re wondering—that’s exactly what we’re going to do. No drastic measures. No starving. No burning out.

TAKING ACTION: ✅ What questions do you have before tomorrow? Where do you need more help or support? Comment below and let me know how you’re feeling! Alright, friends! It’s almost time—who’s ready?! 🔥 You know the details about what’s coming up this week. You know how to speak more kindly to yourself and begin changing your negative thought patterns. You’re ready. In fact, this coming week, you’re going to learn exactly why you should take advantage of the New Year—some of the information I found surprised me, and it might surprise you, too! I’m going to help you with the mindset piece, but it’s up to you to make sure you're prepared. Take inventory of your kitchens today, and make a grocery run if needed. Do you have some sort of nutritional plan for the week? Do you know what time you’ll work out each day? Light walking, yoga, etc.. These are questions you need to consider and answer before tomorrow, friends. Preparation will only help you be more successful! 💯 You have the tools, but you must use them. 🛠️

TAKING ACTION: ✅ Share your weekly win below! I want everyone participating today, got it?! Celebrating yourself is an important piece of the puzzle! 🧩 Also, what are your goals this year?!! Alright, friends—even though we aren’t beginning our New Year challenge for another few days, the holidays are officially over, and now is the time to start preparing your minds—and your kitchens for what’s to come! 💯 Next week, you’re going to learn more about why the new year is a great time to pursue goals. If you’re feeling excited (and maybe even a little anxious) for next week, there’s a reason for that. Next week, we’re going to learn how to use it to our advantage! 🔥 In the meantime, we have wins to celebrate! 🎉 Remember when I mentioned yesterday that how you speak to yourself matters? On some level, celebrating your weekly wins is one way to practice this strategy. By taking the time to consider what you did well and celebrating it (especially with others), you are doing the work it takes to change the way you think about yourself—and when you change the way you think about yourself, you start acting more like who you desire to be! So, without further ado, it’s time to celebrate, friends! 🎉

“When you make a mistake, be kind enough to forgive yourself and learn from it.” ~Unknown TAKING ACTION: ✅ After reading today’s post, do you see why it’s important to speak “realistically” positively to yourself? Friends, if you want lasting change, you must change the way you speak to yourself. On Wednesday, I mentioned a topic that I think is so important—how we speak to ourselves. In fact, I don’t just think it’s important. I KNOW it’s important—psychology tells us so, and if you’re a spiritual person, there’s proof there, too. 💯 Psychology tells us that in order to change, we must change the way we speak to ourselves; however, there is one caveat—changing your thoughts requires you to actually believe what you’re saying. For example ⬇️ 👉Old thought: “I am a failure, and will never be able to control myself around food.” Some people will tell you to turn this negative talk into a positive thought, such as, “I’m the best, and nothing can knock me down.” Here’s the deal—that’s simply not true. If you truly want to change the way you speak to yourself, you must give yourself both truth and grace. That’s the answer. So, instead of practicing what I call “toxic positivity”, try replacing your negative thoughts with positive, yet truthful and realistic thoughts. A good example of this would be ⬇️ 👉 “I am learning. I am retraining my body, brain, and taste buds, and that isn’t easy. Though I slipped up, I know I’m still practicing a new lifestyle—and practice leads to progress over time.” See the difference there? As you learn to speak to yourself differently, always remember to give yourself both truth and grace. This equation will offer so much in terms of overall growth! ✨

TAKING ACTION: ✅ Happy New Year’s Eve, friends! Share any fun plans below, and also let me know if you need guidance on navigating a potentially late night, alcohol, etc. It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re in the home stretch, friends! As we approach a brand new year, it’s critical that you get your mind in the right spot. Growth isn’t linear. You’re not always going to win, and when you don’t, your mindset must be strong enough to get back up. This will be important as you navigate your journey in 2026. This reminds me of another important lesson I learned long ago – 👉 There’s rock bottom, surviving, and thriving. When people hit rock bottom, they do whatever it takes to survive. They change their eating habits. They commit to working out. They balance their checkbooks. They work on their marriages. Once they feel “safe” or feel like they’re surviving, they do one detrimental thing ⬇️ They stop. They stop doing the things that take them from rock bottom to surviving; therefore, they never thrive. Friends, if you stop because you feel “good” or “safe”, you won’t ever reach your goals. You won’t ever feel like you’re thriving. In fact, you’ll fall right back down to your personal rock bottom. 💯 I encourage you today to keep going. Finish strong so that you can get one step closer to THRIVING in your health & wellness journey. This is the week to lean into this lesson. We’re gearing up for a fabulous start to the New Year—but there’s no reason you should have to start back over from rock bottom. 💯 You’ve GOT THIS! Prove to yourself that you are stronger than you think! 🔥 Need tips for navigating your nutrition tonight? ⬇️ Healthy Eating Habits for the Holidays | Northwestern Medicine