FAMILY blog
“C ontinue Watching.” You may recognize
comes to going to the gym, I am full of excuses to avoid it.

this phrase as a pesky Netflix prompt
No time, too tired, etc., etc. This year, instead of making
telling you that you’ve spent too much
false promises, my goal is just to make sure I do some sort of
time watching your favorite show
physical activity three to five times a week. This could mean
and avoiding grocery shopping, that gym workout or the
taking a walk with my family, doing a workout tape in the
laundry that’s been piling up all week. I’m sad (and a little
living room, attending a yoga class or maybe actually getting
embarrassed) to admit this message is all too familiar to me,
myself to the gym a few times. This goal is a lot less stressful
especially during the winter months, when just the thought
and more achievable for me, especially when the weather gets
of leaving the comfort of my cozy bed on a Sunday makes me
colder and I get lazier.

cold. I usually start the New Year off with an organized, health-
New Year’s Resolutions are kind of like the chores I avoid
minded routine, but my consistency fades over time as I get
while binge-watching – I know I should do them, but I never
busier. So, my final resolution is to reboot healthy habits.

really commit to them. While a new year provides us with
Some are as simple as making sure to floss, putting face
a mental reset and a metaphorical clean slate as we move
cream on at night, cooking at home or making sure to dust
forward, setting brand new goals for the year isn’t the only
once a week. These might be small changes, but they make me
way to start the new year feeling liberated and motivated.

feel better and more productive, and can hopefully turn into
So, this year, I’m going to take a “queue” from Netflix and
habits that are a part of my every day so they won’t be easily
“continue.” discarded when life gets hectic.

Instead of starting from scratch with new resolutions, I’m
So, with the New Year full of promise and possibility, I’m
reflecting on what worked and what didn’t with my goals
looking forward to more: packing my suitcase more, moving
from the past year. I’m trying to find new ways to keep these
my body more and more healthy habits in my daily routine.

core resolutions manageable and possible. In the process, I’ve
been reflecting on what actions make me feel the happiest
Although, I can’t promise I won’t spend a few of those
and the healthiest, and I want to make these my priorities.

Sundays clicking that pesky “continue watching” prompt
more than a couple of times!
My first goal is the most ambitious: Travel more. Getting
away every few months can be it’s own refreshing restart in
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year,
itself. Leaving the everyday stresses and routines behind,
your body, mind and soul have the chance to regroup and
recuperate. I had the privilege of joining our editor on the
Aruba press trip reviewed on page 16. The beauty of the
crystal waters, the heat of the soft sand and the soundtrack
of waves lightly lapping on shore created an environment of
peaceful relaxation and a cleanse for the soul. Coming home,
I felt renewed and relaxed, and I hope to echo that feeling in
the coming year with other trips.

I’ve never been one to enjoy exercise, so my second goal
is a little cliché, but all too true: Fitness activities. When it
6 January 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
Colleen McGrew
Marketing and Social Media Manager
Washington FAMILY Magazine
cmcgrew@thefamilymagazine.com



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