1. SET REALISTIC GOALS

This was a 21 day challenge I did. My goal was to lose fat and gain muscle! I lost fat but ended up losing a little muscle too but this goal was so much easier to meet and less stressful than trying to lose a certain amount of weight!!! Remember whe… — This was a 21 day challenge I did. My goal was to lose fat and gain muscle! I lost fat but ended up losing a little muscle too but this goal was so much easier to meet and less stressful than trying to lose a certain amount of weight!!! Remember when you are weight-lifting you are bound to gain muscle weight!

This is the first and most important thing you should do when approaching the new year and really any time you set new goals. I personally set goals at the beginning of each month which is way more reasonable than saying in 2017 I am going to lose 40 pounds. Take baby steps and be reasonable and realistic. As opposed to focusing on losing weight and numbers on the scale and finding a boyfriend for the new year change your focus and goals to something like: I will work out 4-5 times a week (which will most likely lead to a better body and weight loss) and I will make an effort to go on dates in the new year (as opposed to frantically searching dating apps for "the one".)

And make a plan to CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF. At the end of each month see where you are with your goals and make adjustments if you need to! Don't get discouraged! Change doesn't happen overnight!!! It takes time! Be patient and stay focused!

2. PURCHASE A FITNESS TRACKER

I have a love/hate relationship with technology BUT I will say for me nothing is more worth the investment and rewarding than feeling my Fit Bit go crazy on my wrist when I reach 10,000 steps each day! Sound crazy? Buy one and you will know what the hype is all about. Fit Bits and Apple Watches and all the other fitness trackers out there serve as a tool to motivate you to keep moving, to drink water, and to get proper rest! My old Fit Bit took a crap at the end of this year and I went 3 months without it. Then when my dad called and said honey my work is giving us 50% off on these fit bits things you want one? IS HE CRAZY? DOES HE KNOW ME??? I am literally obsessed with my new limited edition gold and black Alta Fit Bit! Do yourself a favor and make the investment. I PROMISE you it is WORTH IT!

3. TRY A NEW GYM FOR FREE

Let me let you in on a little secret. Most gyms offer a FIRST CLASS FREE, a FREE TRIAL, and some even offer A FREE WEEK! And if you have no idea guess what? If you ask the WORSE they can say is NO...and chances are they want you to try their gym! Here is a list of places I know offer FIRST TIME FREE and this isn't even them all!

Pink Iron Fitness
Core Power Yoga (free week)
Aura Yoga and Aura Cycle
Sandbox Fitness (Sherman Oaks)
Earth Power Yoga (free week)
Jumping Fitness
Flywheel
AIR Aerial Yoga (first class $1)
Foxy and Fierce
Training Mate
Basecamp (free week)
Crunch Fitness (3 day trial)
LA Fitness (free trial... I got them to give me a 2 week trial! Just tell them you want to try all the classes and instructors!)
Equinox (just ask...trust me)

My best friend Sean and I at his first OrangeTheory Fitness Class in Dyer, IN... FREE!

And my Midwesties don't you get worried... I can almost guarantee if you ask ANY GYM in Northwest Indiana if you can try it for FREE they will let you! Here is a few that are free to try and a few I have tried personally:

Omni Fitness (free week)
Orangetheory Fitness (first class free)
Planet Fitness (free week)
Charter Fitness (free week)
BodyMax Fitness (free week)
Anytime Fitness (free week)

4. FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS

Hey let me tell you.. THIS IS A THING!!! Social media influencers exist all over social media! Whether they influence you to eat healthy, workout, be fashionable… they are easy to find and very accessible. Do you need fitness motivation? Literally search the HASHTAG #FitnessBlogger . I am going to share with you a few social media influencers I follow for daily motivation, food ideas, and fun workout posts! And you can always follow me @bsemen for yummy food posts, daily workout posts, and motivation baby!

5. GRAB A WORKOUT PARTNER

I don't want to even hear the excuse you have no one! My friend Sean and I will hold each other accountable for Orangetheory workouts and we live 3,000 miles away! The cool thing about OTF is their template is the same each day at every location in the country so it's fun to text and be like OMG today was soooo hard so much rowing! But seriously working out with a friend is SO MUCH more MOTIVATING and FUN!

I LOVE trying new workouts with new people! I have literally Direct Messaged girls in LA on Instagram that I literally only know through Instagram and I am like hey! want to workout together sometime? and we totally do it!!! This is a true story! It isn't even creepy it is the world we live in people. No different than meeting up with a Tinder Date or Bumble BFF!

6. PLAN AHEAD...WITH EVERYTHING

Just a typical Sunday Grocery and Farmers Market Load!

People ask me all the time how do you manage a job, meal prepping, and trying all these different workouts and hikes? My answer is simple… I PLAN AHEAD… Literally with like everything! Don't get me wrong I love spontaneity in my life but planning keeps me on the right track year round.

Each week I will write in my planner all my workouts, my work schedule, and any activities after work. From there I will plan my meals for the week ahead and prep for days I plan to eat at home and in the office and then write down the days I plan to go out for dinner or meet friends. Then I fill in my schedule with fun events around LA like fitness expos, fun races, free movie screenings and premieres, book signings, and free fitness events.

7. READ BOOKS

All the books I read this year! Well almost done with 2 of these :)

Yes I READ!!! And it is much more rewarding than binge watching a show on NETFLIX but I do that sometimes too…I am human ya know! But honestly I find sooo much inspiration in books. I am a sucker for celebs who are into fitness so you name the book chances are I have read it AND recently I became super into author Gabrielle Bernstein who you should totally check out! Her book changed my life in so many positive ways.

There are so many ways to get access to books whether online, E-Readers, audiobooks, or going to this place called the library, yes they still exist and the Beverly Hills library is fucking awesome check it out! Books are so inspiring!

8. KEEP A JOURNAL

My new planner for 2017: http://www.papersource.com/item/Lilly-Pulitzer-Southern-Charm-Planner-2016-2017/3204_014/825466938212.html  My new Fitness Journal for 2017:  https://www.popflexactive.com/collections/accessories/products/2017… — My new planner for 2017: http://www.papersource.com/item/Lilly-Pulitzer-Southern-Charm-Planner-2016-2017/3204_014/825466938212.html
My new Fitness Journal for 2017: https://www.popflexactive.com/collections/accessories/products/2017-blogilates-fit-planner

I keep journals for so many aspects of my life. I have journals I use to write in alongside books I read, I have a journal for my personal life and love life only (don't really ever write much in it haha), and I have a fitness journal where I write down all my workouts, what I ate for the day, fitness goals, and when I drink alcohol that week if I did. I also use my fitness journal for progress photos! I highly recommend a fitness journal by Pop Flex! I have bought it every year for the past 3 years!!! (LINK ABOVE) Journaling has many benefits and is a healthy way to get things off your mind and out on paper. Who needs a therapist? haha

9. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

I hold myself accountable everyday by posting a daily health and fitness photo to my social networks ! And another way I keep myself accountable is by booking my workouts ahead of time. If I have it booked and written down chances are I am going unless I have some sort of emergency... Not to mention most studios have a cancellation fee! Another thing I do is check in with my goals as I mentioned before. If my goal for the month was to work out 4 times a week at Orangetheory I am doing everything in my power to make sure I meet that goal!

10. PLAN A VACATION OR SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

I can't afford a vacation. I here this ALL THE TIME. If you plan ahead you can slowly set aside money from each paycheck so that you can make that trip happen! Sure you might need to give up visiting a restaurant every weekend or going out drinking or shopping but you can make it happen! Planning a vacation or weekend trip is a good way to get motivated to get that body beach ready!

This year I planned a trip to Costa Rica coming off of a few crazy production gigs. I knew I would want to get back on track mentally and physically and needed to give my body a break from always being on the go and doing such intense workout classes. Having something to look forward to will motivate you to get in shape and be on track before that vacay and time away!