I hope you are having an amazing holiday season with family and friends. I’ve been fully indulging and enjoying every minute! I’ve been living in my cozy jammies, I’ve been eating homemade treats around the clock, loving the rotation of friends and family pouring in and out of our home for a glass of wine, and waking up wondering what day it is?…Sound familiar?

Although it’s been a nice departure from my usual rigid routine, I’m starting to feel the pull to get motivated for a fresh, health focused start in 2020. What about you? Have you started thinking about your goals?

Big or small, achieving goals in 2020 is all about setting an intention, shifting your mindset and starting fresh!

I usually don’t put a ton of pressure on my New Years Resolution, but this year I’m aiming to go full throttle. I’ve been dealing with some major inflammation that is manifesting through Iritis in my left eye. I’ve been seeing floaters in my vision and having some serious eye pressure and pain. Not fun y’all!!!! My steroid drops are providing little relief {while wreaking havoc on my hormones} and I can tell that my increase in sugar and alcohol this past month is not doing me any favors!

I’m highly motivated to feel better, so it’s time to try a different approach. Come January 1st I’m planning to follow The Inflammation Spectrum’s Elimin8 Protocol. The Elimin8 is somewhat of an elimination diet removing 8 of the top inflammation inducing foods including:
1. Grains
2. Dairy Products
3. Added sweeteners {Even coconut sugar, date syrup, honey, maple syrup, agave!}.
4. Inflammatory oils
5. legumes
6. nuts and seeds {My fav snacks and salad toppings! ahh}
7. Egg Whites
8. Nightshades {Tomatoes, peppers, white potatoes, eggplant, goji berries}

Dr. Will Cole also recommends giving up coffee and alcohol so I’ll be giving that a try as well. {Eeek!!!} Coffee can stress your brain-adrenal communication, and alcohol is an added burden on your liver.. Not something you need while aiming to reduce inflammation.

Y’all I can’t think of anything I LOVE more than coffee. I look forward to it every single morning so this will be a serious growth opportunity! If I’m being real, I have to admit I use coffee as a crutch to jump start my energy in the AM. I also use coffee to power through the day when maybe I just need to take a minute to catch my breath and chill out instead. It’s time to take a little break and see how the void affects my energy level, mood and overall well being.
My plan to overcome the struggle is to do a ton of daily deep breaths, journaling and remember to use This is only temporary as my daily mantra! All I can say is Thank God tea is approved!!}.

I’ll be posting what my Elimin8 meal plan will look like next week so stay tuned!

Don’t worry, I’m not proposing you join me on my journey to reduce inflammation! Unless of course you feel intrinsically motivated to do so!
I am proposing that you look within to find what your body, mind and spirit are calling you to do this year! Once you’ve identified your goal, try using the SMART acronym for to set your goal in motion. Set your intention as clearly as possible. Write it out somewhere you will see it daily and run with it! I love using the SMART goal setting guide outlined here!

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant to YOU!
Time Bound

You are more likely to stick to your health commitments and goals if they have an intrinsic value!!

Find goals that actually matter to YOU. Goals that will enhance YOUR year and YOUR life and GO FOR IT!

Cheers to 2020 y’all!!! A year of health, happiness, growth and love!