#Fit15: Tips & Tricks to Have a Fit & Fabulous 2015

Here at Spafinder Wellness 365 we’ve resolved to make 2015 the year we feel fit and fabulous and we want you to join in on the fun! To help us all kick start our healthy path we’ve shared detox recipes, ways to naturally boost energy, and we hosted a Twitter Chat yesterday with some incredible experts and readers to share even more ways to have your healthiest and happiest year ever. Just in case you missed it we’re sharing some of our very favorites tips and tricks below!

What are some healthy and reasonable resolutions to kick off your new year after an indulgent holiday season?

• Our reader Jen kicked things off with a resolution we should all make each and every day, “Hydrate more.” Drinking more water is incredibly important for a healthy lifestyle – here are some tips for upping your intake!
• Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa (@PritikinCenter) believes that we should “skip over the fad diets and make a lifestyle change! Eat more fruits & veggies!” Need healthy recipes? Keep reading!
• Miraval Resort & Spa (@Miraval) thinks that a healthy year should start with a “boost of vitamins by doing a healthy juice detox.”
• Our expert Dr. Lana Kontos (@lanakontos) shared an easy resolution we can call do “Make a decision to have one fresh green food a day; spinach smoothie, fresh salad, broccoli for dinner.  Keep it simple.”
• Dr. Will Clower (@willclower) another one of our great nutrition experts says to “Eat food! Avoid the processed food products that sabotage your efforts with their additive sugars, salts, and chemicals!”
• Our friends at Pravassa (@Pravassa), where our fabulous travel expert Linden Schaffer (@LindenSchaffer) is founder, recommend cutting back on sugar!
• Mountain Trek (@MountainTrek) believes that we should, “detox with lots of water, steams and sauna, dry brush and eat fiber-rich organic food.”

Read our top 10 reasonable healthy resolutions here and share yours!

What are some ways someone can start a workout routine in 2015 if they’ve never had one before?

• Linden gave us great advice, “just get a the gym, studio, class that sounds interesting. Showing up is the first hurdle!”
• Pritkin says, “to start a beginner workout routine do body weight exercises: walking, crunches, knee push-ups, and body weight squats are good.”
• Miraval recommends being “unconventional and find[ing] passion outside of the gym! Don’t forget a fun playlist!” Need a fun playlist – check out our monthly playlists here!
• Mountain Trek told us to “engage a friend to share motivation and fitness goals.”

Often fitness resolutions start strong but how can you keep the momentum all year long? Shorter workouts? Smaller goals? 

• Pritikin says “to keep your fitness resolutions all year set SMART goals: Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Frame reasonable”
• Miraval tells us to “forget about fantasy weight loss goals, instead base your goals on being healthy and feeling good!”

Excuses, excuses. What are some moves people can do anywhere, anytime even if their schedule seems too busy?

• Dr. Clower recommended “a calendar to log your workouts, that way you can see your progress unfold!”
• Pritikin’s tip is to “use a pedometer to track your steps and be sure to get up and walk every hour! Every 2,000 steps = 100 calories burned!”
• Our reader Jen shared her tip: “Morning bed exercise like situps. Maybe chair dips or squats when you have a break!”
• Mirival said, “Squats can be done anywhere, anytime. Don’t let your desk keep you from moving, try these tips.”
• Pravassa said that when you’re on-the-go and traveling just “dance your booty off in your hotel room! You can get your cardio up for 15 minutes without anyone seeing you.”
• Our travel expert, Anne Dimon (@AnneDimon) keeps it simple, “Walk, walk, and walk.”
• And Dr. Clower agreed! “Walk while you take a phone call or [when you’re] in a business meeting. That helps integrate movement into your everyday activities.”

A healthy, balanced diet is huge for a healthy and happy life. What are some tips for creating and maintaining a healthy meal plan?

• Pritikin shared, “A healthy balanced diet is one that is made up of unprocessed, whole foods. Eat a huge salad or steamed veggies with every meal.”
• Our reader Jen gave an awesome tip, “journal what you eat.”
• Our friends at Hilton Head Health agreed, “Writing down when you plan on eating meals helps you prioritize what you’ll eat and keeps you accountable.”
• Miraval told us to, “be mindful during meals. Enjoy and pay attention to each bite.  Let 2015 be your year of eating real!”
• Mountain Trek shared, “Eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up to kick start your metabolism and fuel your body for the busy day ahead.”
• Linden recommends to “plan healthy snacks. My plans always fail if I get hungry in the middle of the day and am out of fruit.”
• Hilton Head Health said to “devote a day to food prep. It’s a simple as creating meals around one main ingredient.”

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be bland or boring. What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?

• Pritkin’s healthy recipes and a 14-day meal plan with recipes can be found here!
• Dr. Lana shares her favorite recipes on her page, inspiredbywellness.
• Anne’s fave “fast” food? “Whole avocado sprinkled with balsamic.”
• Miraval’s R.D Angela Onsgard shared her famous vegetarian reuben sandwich!
• Linden is “discovering all new healthy recipes from Blue Apron.” She loved their Farrow & Brussels Sprouts recipe!
• Mountain Trek shared Chef Laurie’s “famous Mulligatawny Soup recipe“

Breaking bad habits is a huge part of starting a healthy lifestyle. How can someone break free from a bad habit for good? 

• Pritikin said, “to break free of unhealthy habits get to the root of your problem. Food is not your problem. Food is just your drug of choice.”
• Miraval recommended that you “find healthy alternatives to your bad habits. Swap out potato chips for baked kale chips or soda for a delicious herbal ice tea!”
• Pravassa told us to “Travel! New environments open you to change and if you’re in a group it’s supportive.”

Setbacks happen when we make big changes – how can someone keep a positive mindset to keep them going down a healthier path?

• Pritkin recommended not to beat yourself up! “Try to figure out why you slipped up and get immediately back on track.”
• Miraval said to “Give yourself a break. Any change big or small will lead you on a healthier path. Everyday is a new opportunity, take it!”

If someone only changed three things for a healthier, happier life – what should they be?

• Anne said, “Attitude, eat less, move more.”
• Reader Samantha said, “Self-belief, mindfulness, laugh more!“
• Miraval told us to, “eat colorful, make time for yourself, and move your body”
• Mountain Trek believed those three things should be, “Sleep more, find ways to de-stress or unplug, and get outside! Nature is the best gym in the world”
• Dr. Lana said, “Honor yourself and be happy. Fuel your body like the beautiful temple it is. Stay hydrated with plain mineral rich water.”

How much exercise does someone really need to lead a healthier lifestyle?

• Linden hit the nail on the head, “Any amount that is more than what u do right now!”
• The experts at Pritkin got more specific, “to lead a healthy lifestyle you should exercise for at least 150-minutes per week at a moderate intensity, or 75 vigorous minutes.”
• Miraval’s R.N. shared, “everyone should have a 10,000 step daily goal.”

Outside of fitness and nutrition, what are other ways people can make changes to lead a healthier and happier life?

• Mountain Trek ‏suggested, “adopting an attitude of gratitude.”
• Pravassa said, “stress reduction! When you feel less stressed you’re willing to try other things to make you happy and healthy.”

What healthy trends do you believe will be big in 2015?

• Miraval ‏told us that “pedometers are back! Track your fitness goals, stay connected with friends and get excited about your achievements!”
• Pritikin said, “juicing and gluten-free will still be popular trends in 2015, but people will soon realize they don’t produce the right results. Gluten-free eating is only necessary for people diagnosed with Celiac disease. Remember that ‘gluten free’ doesn’t mean healthy.”
• Linden shared a trend she’s already “sick of hearing about” Bone Broth.
• Mountain Trek thinks because of the new movie Wild, that people will start hiking and exploring nature more!

Do you have a favorite motivational quote or mantra that keeps you positive and going towards your goal all year long?

• Miraval – “If you don’t have time, find it anyway, even if you have to slip it into the nooks and crannies of your life” @MindInMotionInc”
• Pritikin – “Inch by inch is a cinch; yard by yard is hard.”
• Our reader Jen shared her fave quote, “Keep in mind as long as you are breathing, it’s never too late to start over again.”
• Mountain Trek’s “favorite motivational mantra is by philosopher and poet Lau Tzu, ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'”
• Dr. Lana – “You can exist in mediocrity or live in extraordinary.”
• Anne – “I’m strong. I’m good. I can do this.”

Want even more ways to make your resolutions stick this year? Check out the articles below:

• Resolved to Eat Healthier in 2015? Start With 5 Simple Swaps
• Top 5 Weight Loss Resolution Mistakes
• 5 Tips to Break Free From Bad Habits For Good
• 4 Ways to Make Your Fitness Resolutions Work For You
• Live Your Dream Life, Get Your Dream Job & Find Your Dream Relationship