What are you grateful for? 

Practicing gratefulness is a practice that goes beyond Thanksgiving and the holiday season. At least, it should. In fact, being grateful and thankful is good for our mental and emotional health. 

It helps to boost our happiness when we can look around us and see so much that we've been blessed with. 

So here's a habit I want us to adopt: every morning or night before we go to bed, say 3 things that we are thankful for. Say them out loud, discuss them with your spouse, or write them down. However you do it, get into a daily routine of what you are thankful/grateful for. 

The list is tremendous. It doesn't just have to be items, mention people that you are grateful for. That could be family, friends, co-workers, mentors, the list goes on! 

Even as we experience a pandemic and any hardships that have come along with that, let's cherish and appreciate the people and things that we have been blessed with. Let's not lose sight of that. 

Be thankful. Be grateful. Be greater!

Hey everyone, 

Last week we talked about making your fitness resolutions last. In order to make them last we have to know why we are doing them. They have to have purpose behind them. We want our resolutions to make it out of January. 

To keep that theme going, this week's Just Greatness is a special guest post from Cheryl Conklin of Wellness Central on wellness goals that will better you for this new year. You can visit her site at www.wellnesscentral.info. Enjoy! 

...

Goals For The New Year You Won’t Give Up By Spring

Many of us choose to make New Year’s resolutions. The turn of the calendar is a wonderful
opportunity to re-evaluate yourself and reset your goals. Sadly, many resolutions are left by the
wayside within weeks. This happens when we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves. It’s
best to start small and build from there. Here are a few easy-to-sustain healthy habits you can
implement in 2021.

Create a personalized fitness routine.

There is no single fitness plan that matches all of our personalities, body styles, and interests.
Vanbar Fitness can help you discover a lifestyle that will improve your body and help you
become a better version of yourself each day, so it’s definitely worth considering available
fitness programs and services.

Let go of negativity.

Negative thoughts and energy can turn a happy home into a hostile environment. Look for ways
to create a more positive atmosphere at home, and your good mood will follow, no matter where
you go. Spend a weekend cleaning the house, rearranging your space, or even painting.
Anything you can do to purge bad energy will put you one step closer to enjoying all the hope
that a new year can bring.

Learn how to budget.

For many of us, money worries are what keeps us up at night. Getting a grip on your personal
finances can relieve stress. It takes a while to learn to live by a budget but restricting your
spending actually opens up a world of possibilities. To start, evaluate your spending habits, as
well as your income. Look ahead to your “irregular” expenses, such as holiday gifts or insurance
premiums. Make a plan to pay down everything, but pay special attention to putting money
aside for the future.

Try something new each week.

There’s something special about trying something new, whether it’s an ethnic recipe or a new
route on your daily run. Regardless of how much of a rut 2020 put you in, use each week of
2021 to dig yourself out. Shop at your local grocery store or market to discover interesting things
you may miss out on in mass retail. You can also use Google Maps and other resources to
check out areas in your own hometown that you haven’t visited but should have.

Make a new friend.

Let’s face it — making new friends as an adult is difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. Establishing
or expanding your social connection is a great way to also experience new things while opening
your mind to different cultures and people with different lifestyles. Oprah Magazine suggests
joining a meetup group, taking classes, or leveraging the power of social media to make friends
with interests similar to yours.

Drink less.

Put down the wine and instead, reach for a healthier alternative. While there is nothing wrong
with having a drink now and then, if you imbibed a bit too much in 2020, putting aside the
alcohol is an excellent way to help you lose weight, sleep better, and enjoy each and every day
with a clear head.

Grow your own vegetables.

While you can certainly procure your food at your local farmer’s market, nothing quite beats
picking fresh vegetables straight from your own backyard. If you think you don’t have time, think
again. While you must put in some work initially, many gardens will thrive quite well with good
soil, lots of light, and sunshine. NPR notes that you can even use containers, which will allow
you to garden in a compact space.

There you have it — seven exceptional ideas that will help you change your bad habits in 2021.
Each is easy to implement and will help you live your best life each and every day. None will
change your daily routine drastically, but — combined — will help you achieve the quality of life
you deserve.

​Vanbar Fitness knows that greatness is achieved by using biblical principles in your everyday
life. Book your free 30-minute discovery session today so that you can live the life you want in
2021 and beyond.