The holidays are behind us and we are well into 2021 already. Although we might have tried our best to stick to healthy eating habits while gathering with friends and family, some of us might have indulged in one too many holiday treats and that’s okay. Now that it’s the new year, we can set new goals and intentions for 2021 to be the best versions of ourselves.

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The 54D nutrition team advises us to not dwell on possibly falling off the healthy eating bandwagon and leave it in the past. We enjoyed our holiday treats and the company we spent it with and now it’s time to take responsibility and continue onwards.

While setting our realistic health goals, we must ease into them and not overwhelm ourselves with too much at once. One of the things the 54D team advises is to not try to starve yourself to make up for the decadent treats or overeating that might have taken place over the holidays.

Instead, start by planing your meals in advance so that you can take the guesswork out and make your day-to-day a bit easier. It’s much easier to have something healthy to grab and eat since it’s already planned out versus eating something unhealthy out of desperation. These planned meals should be colorful and consist of vegetables, protein, and healthy fats, according to 54D.

Another tip from the 54 nutrition team to keep in mind when creating this year’s health goals is to plan your meals according to your schedule. For example, eat your highest caloric and fat meal in the morning so you can spend the rest of your day using that meal’s energy and calories. By nighttime, you should be eating a lighter meal.

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It’s also crucial to stay hydrated which will help with hunger and prevent fluid retention, according to the nutrition team at 54D. Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water.

Trust the process and be patient with your goals this year. It’s a work in progress and results won’t happen overnight. Make sure to nourish and treat your body with love and respect.