New Year, Stronger You

There’s something about a new calendar year that inspires us to get a fresh start. For the vast majority of us losing weight and getting in shape is what’s on our minds. For others it may be to live a more balanced life, get a full night’s rest more often or even reduce overall stress.

According to Statista, getting fit was the top goal for 50% of Americans last year. Other popular resolutions included cutting down on social media, improving diet and spending more time with family. However, a few months down the line, many people find they aren’t showing much progress toward their goal or have abandoned their intentions altogether. Here’s a few tips on how to stay the course and turn your health goals into reality.

Define the Goal

Author Brian Tracy in his book Goals! (Berrett-Koehler, 2010) gives us a clue. “A goal, however, is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written, and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it or not.” Vague and broad goals like “become healthier” or “get more sleep” are less likely to succeed. 

Instead of saying I want to lose 10 pounds, a more effective statement would be something like “I will work out 3 times a week at 6 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.” Attach a time frame or schedule to your goal and you’ve just improved your odds without even breaking a sweat. 

Breaking your goal down into smaller manageable pieces makes it less intimidating. Don’t discount small actions. Doing something toward your main objective each day will help you feel like you are making progress.

Create an Environment to Succeed

Stock your fridge with the following:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, acai and carrots contain antioxidants and flavonoids like quercetin and resveratrol
• Mushrooms, which are high in B vitamins and other key nutrients
• Fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt and kimchi contain immune boosting probiotics 

Even the most expert diligent meal prepper can benefit from taking a supplement to make sure they get these essential nutrients in their diet on a regular basis. At Nature’s Lab, we carry a range of supplements tailored to your specific concerns. Our Nature's Lab Gold Immunity Synergy for immune health is a blend of zinc and well researched herbs associated with immune health.* 

For cardiovascular support, Nature's Lab Gold Cardio Probiotics for heart health contains beneficial bacteria that produce enzymes that may support heart health.* Nature's Lab Gold Intensive GI Probiotics for digestive health contains over 3 billion CFU’s of bacteria to support gut health and general digestion.* Keeping your supplements out where you can see them is an easy visual reminder so you don’t forget to take them, or you can also set a digital reminder on your smartphone.

Crushing all these new goals is going to require some energy. We’ve got your back! If you are low on energy and have a goal to get to bed at a specific time, Nature’s Lab Sleep Support can help you get a little more shut-eye with its unique combination of L-theanine, 5-HTP and melatonin.* Our Nature's Lab Six Daily Advanced Multivitamin is an energy boosting melange of over 90 nutrients.*

Reward Yourself

When you’ve made progress toward your goal, acknowledge it! Enjoying the journey toward your goal helps you stick to your plans. Just be sure to treat yourself in a way that won’t undo the effort you’ve already put in. Small rewards like a massage or a new workout outfit can give you a little incentive to stay the course. No matter what your health aims are, Nature’s Lab has premium supplements to help you achieve them.