Resolutions

Guide to your resolutions for 2020

It's never too early to think ahead about what you'd like to achieve in the new year. As soon as the ball drops, start on your health, well-being and organizational goals with the right tools, nutrition, equipment and apparel.

Weight management

• Replacement meals: Replacement products such as shakes and bars take the place of one or two meals a day. They create a calorie deficit for short-term weight loss. If you're busy, replacement products are ideal for on-the-go nutrition.
  
• Supplements: Supplements are also good for short-term weight loss. The FDA has approved over-the-counter drugs that safely prevent your body from absorbing a portion of fat from foods.
  
• Protein drinks and food: High-protein products, used by athletes to build muscle, are also weight-management tools. Protein products fill you up, digest slowly and naturally decrease your appetite when used along with a healthy diet that also includes fiber.
  
• Keto diet: The ketogenic diet, known as keto, is a very low-carb food plan that causes your body to burn fat for energy. In addition to eating fish, low-carb vegetables, meats, poultry, yogurts, fats, nuts and eggs, there are also keto drinks, foods, protein powders and supplements to make staying on keto convenient. You'll also find keto recipe books to make it easier to get into the low-carb lifestyle.

Organic and better nutrition

• Foods: Eating clean means eating more organic foods. You'll find high-quality organic baking ingredients, breakfast items, canned goods and condiments to make it effortless to eat better. To make it even easier to eat organic, buy in bulk and stock up when items are on sale.
  
• Supplements and vitamins: With all the supplements and vitamins available, how do you choose what to take? See if a blood test identifies what you may be lacking in your diet and ask your physician which supplements or vitamins can help based on your age and health. Make certain they don't interact with other medicines you may be taking.
  
• Cleanses and detox: A cleanse or detox can help you feel refreshed by potentially supporting colon, liver, kidney and intestinal health. Consider a gentle cleanse of your organs at the beginning, middle or end of the year. Most cleanses and detoxes take a few days. Make sure your cleanse or detox of choice provides nourishment so you have enough energy, and always consult your doctor before beginning one.

Exercise and fitness

• Home fitness: Start your exercise resolutions indoors with a home gym consisting of dumbbells and an exercise bike. Or add to your home gym with a pull-up bar or a serious piece of home gym equipment like a bench, rack or dip station. To make the best selection, define your fitness goals, evaluate what equipment fits in your space and choose pieces within your budget so you'll stay encouraged to continue using your home gym.
  
• Weight benches: Choose a bench you'll use frequently, such as a simple flat or adjustable one you use with dumbbells or a barbell bench, depending on your goals.
  
• Towers and racks: This equipment takes up space, but it's best for serious lifters.

Well-being

• Aromatherapy: Turn your home into a spa with aromatherapy diffusers that use fragrant, calming essential oils. Choose from an ultrasonic diffuser or a nebulizing diffuser to best disperse oils. Consider a diffuser that's easy to clean, has a timer and can quickly diffuse a scent throughout the room.
  
• Essential oils: Essential oils are perfumes for the air that can also help you sleep and relax. You'll want to experiment to find just the right sweet spot of oil for your needs. Sometimes, it helps to mix oils for the most pleasant fragrance and effect. For example, use lavender oil as a soothing sleep scent, cedarwood oil to calm your nervous system and citrus oils to energize your system.
  
• Yoga kits: Start your year off right with a yoga kit including a mat, blocks, straps and instructions. Good yoga mats are ""sticky"" enough help keep you stable and comfortable in your poses. Consider a 1/4-inch-thick mat for comfort. PVC mats last a long time.

Organization and preparation

• Everyday storage and organization: Once you clear the clutter to start off your year, you'll want to have a place for everything that's left. The key to choosing the right storage and organization containers is to first decide what you need and then select function over form. For example, if you like to throw things into containers, opt for lid-free containers. Lidded containers are best for long-term storage or items you don't need to access frequently.
  
• Seasonal storage and organization: Make holidays easier with the correct storage containers for lights, wreaths, ornaments, holiday dinnerware and even gift wrap.
  
• Stocking up on essentials: Having a stocked pantry or bathroom cabinet filled with everyday items saves time and money because you won't run out of essentials. Buy cleaning, paper and laundry supplies along with personal care items, beverages and snacks in bulk and store them neatly in food storage containers.