2020 Is Going to Be Your Best Year Yet!

[SparkPeople.com::The Weekly Spark]( [Excuses, Excuses]( Ladies, it's time for a change. It's time to make 2020 the year that you finally get over your fear of the weight room. Picking up heavy things and putting them down is not only a great way to help you lose weight and maybe go down a jean size or two, but it's also the ultimate confidence booster! So why do so many women avoid grabbing those dumbbells or picking up a barbell? Coach Jen is here to dispel four common myths that keep women out of the weight room. [+ Read More]( [From the desk of: Alicia Capetillo, Editor-in-Chief SparkPeople]( Is it just me or does it feel like we were just welcoming the new millennium like yesterday? Somehow, in the midst of the chaos we call life, 20 years went by and we're gearing up for a brand new decade! A brand new decade means new goals. A brand new opportunity to grow and improve. A sparkling clean new slate. A new starting line. But before you pop the champagne and set an alarm for 1/1/2020 to run for the first time since high school with dreams of a half-marathon running through your head, let's remember that a ''new you'' won't happen over night. The most effective way to achieve any dream is to start small and build on your progress. After the confetti clears and you're back in sweatpants tomorrow morning, take 30 minutes to just reflect on the things that made you happy in 2019. Then, build new goals that will increase happiness for 2020! Happy new year, SparkFriends! [Time to Be a Quitter]( If you're a smoker, it's time to leave the habit back in the 2010s. Now that I've convinecd you, let's talk about one of the most challenging aspects of breaking the habit: Dealing with other smokers. If you're surrounded by family, friends or co-workers who smoke, there are strategies you can use to keep temptation at bay without missing out on your social life. We know you can do it, so let's get started! [+ Read More]( [Stress Test]( These are stressful times, folks! Unrelenting deadlines and chores and meetings, plus pressure from social media and tense news reports all have an affect on our mental health. There is a big difference between healthy and unhealthy stress, though. Find out which one you've got. [+ Read More]( [Morning Mindfulness]( If your feet hit in the floor in the morning and you're already in the ''go go go!'' mindset, it might be time to add some mindfulness practices to your routine. Mindfulness is a great way to teach yourself to be more present in your life while helping you tackle anything the day throws your way. And the best part? It takes just five minutes! [+ Read More]( [So. Many. People!]( [This Is Your Year]( [Clean Up, Clean Up]( GET OUR BEST: [Like on Facebook]([Pin on Pinterest]([Follow on Instagram]( SparkPeople Apps]( your Food]( [Redeem Your SparkPoints]( [Unsubscribe]( © 2019 SparkPeople, Inc. All rights reserved. [Terms]( | [Privacy]( | [Manage Emails]( 310 Culvert St., Suite 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202