Tips for A Healthier Year & 2 New Activewear Sets to Motivate YOUR Wellness Journey

A New Way of Thinking

This is the time of the year when we normally set big, yet often, lofty goals that are nearly impossible to keep…especially when it comes to wellness.  Maybe you are committing to working out 5 times a week, cutting out sugar completely or eating a strictly plant-based diet? Don’t get me wrong, these are excellent goals. The problem is… at least in my case… they are hard to keep! And, when I break my resolutions, that’s when the guilt, shame and self-loathing start creeping in. It’s a dysfunctional cycle and I, for one, am done!

Now, instead of setting resolutions or “rules,” I try to listen to what my heart, mind and body are telling me. This is a much more feminine approach, which kinda goes against everything we’ve been taught and trained to believe as part of the ‘hustle’ culture. While the more masculine, disciplined approach is definitely effective (it worked for me for decades) it also can lead to burn out and dread, which, in turn, will probably mean quitting at some point.

So what does listening to your mind, body and heart look like? Every day I choose to do small things that make me feel healthy and energized, that can include eating a delicious green smoothie packed with veggies, meditating and journaling, dancing while cooking, singing in the car, sweating it out in my sauna blanket, walking the dog, etc. It means slowing down, resting and playing more too.

Below I’m sharing a few tips (and some chic activewear) to help you set the best, most realistic and heart-led goals/resolutions/intentions for YOU in 2023!

I recently shared more about my new outlook on my new diet/exercise/wellness journey in this video. Plus, you can find an update on my menopause journey here.

Tips for a Healthier Year

Being “healthy” doesn’t mean being at your slimmest or thinnest anymore. Being physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy are all equally important. Here are a few tips that might help spark a healthier lifestyle:

For A Healthy Mind

• Truly accept and love yourself – This is easier said than done, believe me. Make sure you watch this video if it’s something you’re struggling with.
• Practice gratitude – Appreciate even the littlest things. We recently shared the benefits of gratitude here.
• Live in the moment – Try to stop thinking about your mile-long to-do list, and take time to appreciate the present moment.
• Try a new hobby – Trying new things is a great way to have a healthier, more expansive mind.
• Learn! – I love to learn! I’m constantly listening to podcasts, taking courses, reading, etc. Learning can spark creativity too!
• Surround yourself with positive people – We talked about the importance of who you spend your time with here.
• Meditate – Even 1 minute of meditation a day can make a huge difference! You can try apps like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer. It can also be as simple as closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths and listening to your thoughts.

For A Healthy Body

• Reframe what “exercise” means to you – Instead of berating yourself over the exercise you do or do not have time to do each day, start focusing on moving your body in a way that feels great. Take the dog on a walk, dance around while you’re cleaning, or do a 10-minute yoga session. Think in terms of feeling good rather than “have to’s”
• Try a new workout program – If working out is your jam but you’re not liking your current routine, try something new. Go to a new yoga class or try pilates.
• Eat well – Focus on eating foods that nourish your body and help you feel energized. But don’t beat yourself up about the sweets you love to eat too. Watching your alcohol consumption will also help.
• Drink water – Drinking more water and watching your alcohol consumption makes a HUGE difference for your body, skin, brain…and energy!
• Sleep well – This one is a no-brainer! Women require more sleep than men in general so don’t compare yourself to your boyfriend, partner or spouse.
• Make it fun – Ask a friend to go with you to a new barre class you want to try…it makes it more fun and exciting. Or if you’re more of a solo fitness person, try a new workout outfit to get you excited for your next session! For me, a new activewear outfit helps too!

I’m sharing two new workout looks below if you need a little extra motivation for your next workout…

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Navy Workout Set

Beyond Yoga is one of my favorite activewear brands. All of their pieces are high-quality, wash and wear well, and they’re super cute! The best thing about Beyond Yoga is the fabric. While many activewear brands make silky, very structured pieces, throwing on a Beyond Yoga set feels like you’re wearing a secure, yet cozy blanket. It’s so soft and cozy. This sexy set is the newest addition to my activewear collection. The metallic, celestial print, mixed with the dark navy looks really cool. You could wear this set to a high-intensity workout, a relaxing yoga class, or just hanging out at home.

Leggings

I prefer a pair of leggings that 1) don’t slide down during a workout, 2) feel like they’re holding everything in, and 3) are soft and comfortable. These leggings check all the boxes! I love how high-waisted they are…they come up so high that, combined with the matching tank, the set doesn’t show any skin at all. It’s a very slimming set, super lightweight, and SO comfortable. I actually really love exercising in this set! It’s also comfy enough for meditation and lounging. These leggings keep going in and out of stock so if you don’t see your size, these navy leggings will pair perfectly with the matching tank (below).

Tank

I have a few of these Beyond Yoga tanks and love how comfortable and secure I feel working out in them. It has a higher neckline, so you don’t have to worry about wardrobe malfunctions during a workout. And, it’s comfortable enough to wear when you’re not working out.

Faux Shearling Pullover

Shearling and faux shearling is really having a moment right now. This cute Sweaty Betty 3/4 zip pullover is the perfect piece to throw over the tank or sports bra before and after your workout. If you have to run an errand or pick the kids up from school, but don’t have time to change, having this pullover will give you more coverage and make you look pulled together. It’s super soft, cozy, warm, and comes in three other colors.

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Sneakers

I’ve loved the ON sneakers since the first moment I tried them on (and now I own 3 pairs!). They’re supportive, lightweight, and next-level comfortable. These are cute AND functional. My favorite combination. They run true to size.

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Colorblock Workout Set

This is another Beyond Yoga set that’s super high-quality, comfortable, and cute! I love the criss-cross detail on the leggings and the length is perfect (I’m 5’4″ for reference). Plus, the color blocking is super flattering.
The sports bra has the same flattering color blocking and comfortable fit. Since it’s a sports bra and not a tank, it doesn’t go down as low so you will show some skin, which is a consideration. This bra is meant more for low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, and barre. For more high-intensity workouts, I’d opt for something more supportive.

Sizing Info: I’m wearing a small in all pieces and they run true to size. Order your normal size.

Shoot Location

By the way, this gorgeous shoot location is called Cibolo Creek Ranch, it’s a 30,000-acre ranch in West Texas where Chris and I got married. You can read more about that experience in this post.

Are you listening to your heart, mind and body when it comes to wellness? Share one thing that you’ve done recently that felt fully aligned. By sharing, you will give other women beautiful ideas.

Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive some incredible style resources. If you’re struggling with style or just need a style refresh, don’t forget that our Style Made Simple course is now LIVE!
Thanks for stopping by!

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Alissa - Social Media Manager

It's all too easy for me to get carried away with my own mental checklist of things to do, and I often find myself feeling overwhelmed and bogged down by the pressure of it all. The practice of "mindfulness" was highlighted at Miraval, and it's easily one of my biggest takeaways. Mindfulness is defined as simply bringing awareness and acceptance to our moment-to-moment experiences. To practice it, I have been focusing on being more mindful of my everyday experiences. Whether it's reflecting on everything I am grateful for as I cozy into bed at night, breathing in the fresh air outside as I notice the sights and sounds around me, or simply standing in my kitchen appreciating the smell of delicious homemade food with the sound of my kids' laughter echoing in the background. Taking the time to be more mindful has made such a difference in pulling me out of the grind and into the moment with a deeper appreciation for where I am.

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Susan - Digital Content Editor

There were many poignant takeaways from the retreat, but if I had to choose just one it would be the importance of accepting transitions in life. As someone who really doesn’t love change, this is difficult for me. But recognizing transitions are inevitable and trying to find the positive in them has been eye-opening and has taught me to reframe my thoughts about change. This pretty much leads to the one habit I’m implementing fairly consistently (still a work in progress!) which involves rethinking my reaction to stress or anxiety…even if it’s something small. At Miraval, we learned that even small (seemingly relatively innocent) little stressors can together have a BIG impact in terms of our happiness and the negativity we carry around in a day. If I start to get anxious about something, I can control the feelings by doing one of these things: breathe/meditate for one minute, change my thinking pattern, listen to music, walk or move briskly. Basically, just change what I’m doing to temporarily step back and gain some perspective. I can ask myself, “Am I giving this “problem” more weight than it deserves?” Essentially, I’m distracting myself from the negativity and choosing to focus on something more positive. I’ve learned there is always something positive to focus on if I choose to find it! So, I try to catch myself before I go down the negative rabbit hole.

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Denise – YouTube Co-Producer

Since returning from our team retreat at Miraval, I have been doing a deep dive into habits. Research has shown that those who create a new “small” habit often have a larger ripple effect in their lives, even more than those who try to implement a larger change. At Miraval, we attended a session that focused on brain health. One of the small takeaways from this session was that the body needs to be hydrated in order to function most efficiently. We have all heard this before…drinking 8 glasses of water a day is in no way new advice, but for some reason, something in this lecture gave me the motivation to try and shift from virtually zero glasses a day to the recommended amount of 8. I’m a diehard Diet Snapple, coffee, and Diet Lemonade girl! Upon returning home, I bought myself a new water bottle, started filling it each morning, and brought it up to my desk. Without even realizing it, I found myself emptying the 32 oz bottle 2 and sometimes 3 times per day. Within a week, the changes I felt (more moisturized skin, less hunger, a more settled stomach) were undeniable. The same research also shows that once you develop a habit, it is easy to “habit stack”. This means you can add on more habits to existing ones and that is exactly what I did. I have moved my vitamins and supplements to my desk which I now take daily because I have the water sitting right next to me. As an added bonus, I am also consuming a ton less artificial sweeteners and caffeine now that I am reaching for my water. If you’re interested in diving deeper into information about habits, I’m currently reading The Power of Habit and Atomic Habits, both linked below.

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Joy – Virtual Assistant

While at Miraval, we took a class about intuitive living and one of the principles was to “Be Clueless.” Which just means that you should choose not to give power to the thinking mind. Instead, practice being clueless by enhancing your senses and connecting to them. One habit I have adopted since the retreat is going outside each day after work and sitting in silence for 15 minutes. I set the timer on my phone, close my eyes, and just listen. Once I've heard 10-15 unique sounds, I then open my eyes and finish out the 15 minutes looking around but remaining silent. It's been a wonderful calming way to transition out of my work brain. And I’m giving more power to my senses than to my thinking mind.

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Rachel – Community Manager

The Team Retreat was something I was looking forward to for months, yet as we got closer and closer to it, I began to feel nervous and unsure of what was to come - anxious feelings that I get with anything new, no matter how exciting it may be. Well, this retreat was, first of all… AMAZING. It was wonderful to be in a beautiful place, to get pampered, to meet and connect with the most amazing team of women, and to simply have a break from the craziness of everyday life… but the best part of it all was what I took home with me. During this short time, I was able to learn so many helpful practices that have truly changed my own well-being and ability to connect with the world around me. The overall theme of the Miraval journey is to focus on and implement mindfulness and balance. Before this week, I thought I was practicing this in my daily life…but boy was I wrong! One particular practice that I have loved adding to my routine, is that of Mindful Eating. The question was posed in a group session at Miraval, “Are you tasting your food or just your thoughts?” Often when I sit down to have a meal, I’ll look at my phone, try to get work done, watch a show, or simply try to eat as quickly as I can to get on to the next task of my day. Without ever thinking about the food I'm eating, only thinking about whatever else is going on inside of my head. But this practice allows you to slow down and truly enjoy. The simple act of placing your fork on the table in between bites forces you to physically move slower and gives you the space to focus on and savor the food that you are consuming. As soon as I heard this, I thought it would be an easy thing to add to my routine every day. Even better…Every single meal could be mindful and what a difference that could make! Well, reality sets in once you return home from a place like Miraval, and the to-do list comes right back. But we were reminded that even one Mindful Meal a week can make such a difference. And how true that has proven to be!

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Kaitlyn - Digital Strategy Manager

I’m extremely hard on myself…Even when it’s pretty unwarranted. I think many women can relate to that. Deciding to skip a workout, not getting to everything on my to-do list for the day, or forgetting to pick up the dry cleaning are all simple (and usually inconsequential) things that make me start that negative inner monologue about not being “insert adjective here” enough. If this sounds familiar…you’re not alone! One of the tools I learned during our Mindful Stress Mastery class at Miraval is something I’ve started implementing and can already tell makes a difference. When that negative inner monologue starts, put your right hand over your chest or stomach and place your left hand on your forearm. When you do it, say “gentle” in your head or out loud as a reminder to be gentle with yourself. Touch is such a strong sense and when you give yourself that small reminder, it can make a huge impact.