January all about Kicking Sugar!

Welcome to our January Sugar and Steps Challenge! I am so excited to be joining you on our path to cutting out sugar this month. I know it seams a bit overwhelming, but don't worry I will be here along the way with tips and tricks and to answer any questions. Try your best to avoid added sugar and get your steps and water in this month. But remember if you slip up, no biggie, just get back on track and keep on going. We are aiming for progress over perfect. It isn't all or nothing, each and every time you choose healthy it matters. You might just surprise yourself at how easy it becomes, and I am certain if you stick to it you'll feel a difference by the end of the month. -Holly

The big focus this month is to avoid all added sugar ( yes honey is sugar!) If you are tracking your food with an app try to stay below 25g of sugar per day. Fresh fruit does not count, however sugar from jellies etc does. Food Labels should list "added sugar". We are allowing sugar alternatives during this challenge, however I recommend sticking to monk fruit and Stevia if possible. Often times people find that the other sugar alternatives increase cravings and some have even been linked to some health problems. In January getting 10,000 steps a day might seam impossible but I have faith in you! You can do a couple short walks when the weather is chilly or even add a few aisles to your trips at the store. Just getting your body up and moving during the day helps with mood, metabolism and digestion. Doing it outside gives you the added benefit of vitamin D from the sun! And the last thing I added was water. Water is the most undervalued weight loss and health tool. It helps with everything from digestion to energy to cognitive performance. Aim to get half your body weight in water per day NOT. This does not count caffeinate sources ( so green tea yes coffee no). To help us stay on track for the challenge I made calendar with boxes for each area. You can find it in the Facebook Group or by clicking the button below. I will do accountability posts in the Facebook group as well. Please feel free to share your trips, tricks and troubles with the group. We can all support and motivate each other and chances are someone else is wondering the same thing or could benefit from your idea. And lastly, I would love for you to share about it/ tag me on social media. It really helps me build my community and know what things people find helpful and want to see more of. I'm so excited to see where we all are at the end of the month. WE'VE GOT THIS!!!

Tips for Kicking Sugar: 1. Drink more water. Dehydration is often mistaken for sugar cravings. 2. Eat meals with a balance of protein, fats and fiber. Eat lots of nutrient dense satiating foods to keep you full all day long. 4. Avoid skipping meals as you are more likely to give in to cravings when you're hungry. Also eating regularly keeps blood sugar levels stable. 5. Eat fresh fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth. Unlike processed sugary foods, fruit is full of nutrients and fiber. 6. Eat at home instead of dining out or getting fast foods. The best way to be sure what you're eating is to make it yourself. 7. Avoid processed foods. Processed foods often contain preservatives which are acidic or salty, and so sugar is added to balance the taste. 8. Get enough sleep. When you are tired you're more likely to reach for sugary foods for energy, which leads to a crash and then more sugar. 9. Switch high sugar coffees and smoothies for tea and sparkling waters. 10. If you fall off the wagon... just get back on. Don't put it off to the next Monday, which tends to never come.