Welcome to 2023!

Happy 2023, everyone! It’s Vanessa writing this week, and for those of you who are joining us for the first time: Welcome! Karen is the primary point person for delivery of the weekly lessons, but she and I share the supplemental resources (this blog, weekly recipes and product recs) via alternating weeks. We think that two perspectives are better than one. Please know, though, that you can reach out to either of us individually with questions about the program. You can reach me via email at vanessa.oliver@uky.edu.

For this week’s blog, I want to help set the tone for 2023 and this program in general by offering some self-care tips. We’re only a couple of weeks into the new year and I don’t know about you, but I am already tired of all the “new year, new you” language that is everywhere around this time. So, with that in mind, read on for more nourishing and holistic practices that can carry you through ANY time of year. Enjoy. ?

1. Focus on nourishing your body. Instead of restricting yourself or following a prescriptive meal plan, instead, try to focus on eating a variety of nourishing foods that make you feel good and give you energy. Think about what you can add to your plate instead of what you need to take away.
2. If you follow social media accounts that focus on diet-related talk, look instead for body-neutral, health-behavior-focused resources that encourage a more holistic and realistic approach to total-body wellness. We’ve got some ideas on this site under “Stuff We Love” > “Apps and Podcasts.”
3. Surround yourself with supportive people. Seek out friends, family members and community members who encourage a healthier lifestyle rather than constantly talking about diets or weight.
4. Find physical activities you enjoy. Instead of exercising solely to burn calories or "earn" food, choose activities you actually like. Looking at movement in this way – making it something that you want to do - will help you stay active without feeling like it’s something you have to do.

Do you have other tips that work for you? Let us know in class or via email and we can share those too!