Well, here we are just two days shy of the second month of 2020. How’s your January winding down as far as turning those healthy goals into a reality? If you’re still trying to find your groove, hang in there. Remember, it can take up to six whole weeks for habits to take root in our daily behavior. So, don’t give up now! This is a good time to take stock what’s working and what’s not. For example, if you’re more likely to workout in the morning rather than at night, stop stressing out when you don’t get to the gym after work. Instead, embrace that early-bird energy and keep setting your alarm appropriately to make time for that morning endorphin rush.

I know how hard it is to wait for habits to develop. Living in a world where everything is available at the push of a button, click of a mouse or swipe on a smart phone, it’s not easy to be patient. But patience is crucial when traveling on the lifelong marathon that is healthy living. So be sure to count the small victories. They can only add up to big changes in the not-so-distant future.

Speaking of moving forward, I just took a giant leap in a journey that began in November. That’s when I started physical therapy to address two arm issues I put on the back burner during my bikini competition prep. On Tuesday, my wonderful physical therapist, Don Zerio at Spear Physical Therapy, officially discharged me from treatment! Seven weeks ago, it was hard to imagine lifting anything with my arm without feeling pain. However, thanks to Don’s know-how and compassion, my discipline and yes, patience, I am blissfully pain free! Now, I’ll continue the journey on my own by not doing too much too soon and focusing on taking baby steps to get back to “normal” with my weight training and kickboxing routines. One day at a time.

I also took a step in the right direction as I continue to adjust to life with a hearing aid. After my initial euphoria with the device, I started having some issues with sounds being scratchy or over-modulated in different environments ranging from the gym to Church. After several days of struggling on my own and removing the aid in frustration when I just didn’t want to deal anymore, I contacted my audiologist, Dr Elika Cokely, who told me to stop in her office at my earliest convenience. Guess what? I wasn’t wearing the hearing aid properly! I guess I was afraid of pushing it in too far and hurting my ear drum. Just a little reassurance from Dr. Cokley helped me get over that and things are back on the right track. Sometimes asking for help is the hardest part of finding a solution to a problem.

To anyone who needs a little guidance along the 2020 fitness or healthy diet journey, don’t be shy! I’m always happy to answer questions or offer a little boost. Or reach out to the friends and family members who cheer you on all your adventures. Being armed with information, a good support system and maybe more than a little patience can only help when it comes mapping out all those plans for 2020 – and beyond! – to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!