I hope this finds everyone RECOVERED from the holiday hustle and bustle. I personally did a lot of driving during the holidays which makes me pretty sore. I made sure I took some time for myself to get outside on a walk (even if it was a quick one) or do a little stretch here and there. I even put in my toe spreaders to relax and watch a movie at home. You know what I did not do? Work out. And you know what else I did? Eat all the cookies.

But here is the thing: I did not feel bad about it. I did not beat myself up about it. It was my choice what I ate. BUT I made sure to always have a smoothie or salad in my day which helped me feel FULL so I didn’t turn into a full on cookie monster.

No matter what choices you made this holiday season, I am here to tell you this:

Don’t beat yourself up!

I encourage you to try to stop feeling like you have been “derailed” if you didn’t workout. Or that the holidays “got you off track” because of all the sweets. Or you need a “start fresh” for the New Year. One week of time with family or friends does not automatically mean we are starting from zero. It also means we got to spend precious time with loved ones and that can be fulfilling in all sorts of ways.

So I challenge you this year, when you hear that negative self talk creeping into your head to remind yourself of what you have done that is GOOD for yourself. Every day we make choices about what it is we do, how we move, when we might add in a stretch, a veggie, a walk, or have one less drink. All the little things we are doing that are GOOD for ourselves is what matters. Those choice add up in the week. Did you walk the loop at the mall or get on your treadmill on a rainy day? That’s extra movement you maybe would not have taken otherwise! Did you drink an extra glass of water? Did you add an extra veggie to your plate? Are you getting in bed a little early? Take time to celebrate those small wins instead of getting stuck on what you should be doing better!

I promise the more you focus on the good stuff you are doing and how it makes you feel, the more likely you are to DO the good stuff!