5 Nutrition Goals for a Healthier 2024

January 3, 2024

Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian


The New Year is here, and with it often comes New Year's resolutions and goals!

Often when people set resolutions, they end up thinking of nutrition very broadly. "This will be the year I eat healthier" is great, but what specifically does that mean for you? When we set goals that are more specific and can be measured to see how consistent you are, you're much more likely to follow through. You'll also actually know if you achieve that goal!

Check out these 5 ideas for more specific nutrition goals to make 2024 your happiest and healthiest year:

1. Plan your meals most weeks! Planning your meals consistently is one of the most effective ways to get on top of your healthy eating goals. You're much more likely to eat in ways that fit your health goals if you plan for it! Meal planning can also reduce to stress in eating because past-you will have already set a plan, reducing decision fatigue on busy days. When you plan your meals, you also usually buy what you need and use what you have, reducing food waste - a win for the planet and your wallet! If planning a whole week at a time is more than you can manage, start by planning just for tomorrow or two to three days ahead to start.

2. Cook at home more! Are you eating at restaurants or getting take out more often than you'd like? To be specific about what it would mean to do that less, count up how many times you're eating restaurant food (including fast food) each week. Setting a goal for just a little bit less can both improve your health and save you money! Try to make similar meals at home, or plan for leftovers to keep things easy.

3. Include one meatless day per week! This does not mean you need to go fully vegetarian or vegan. Taking one day a week (maybe a Meatless Monday) to consume less animal protein can help you increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, and explore more plant-based protein options. Like our previous two goals, this can also help reduce your grocery bill. Many meatless meals can be quick and tasty - try a tofu stir fry, black bean burrito, or grilled cheese with vegetable soup!

4. Explore new recipes! How often do you try a new recipe? Many of us eat similar meals over and over - which is fine, but can get boring. To keep healthy eating interesting, set a goal to try a new recipe once or twice a month. If you find a keeper, add it to your regular rotation! New recipes can be found anywhere online, in cookbooks, or by asking friends for recommendations.

5. Book a nutrition check-up! With so much information out there, it's hard to know what nutrition information applies to you. It can also be hard to really know if you're on the right track! Get evidence-based advice and stay accountable by making sure to check in with a Registered Dietitian this year! Many benefits programs also include some coverage for Dietitian services - check yours to see!

Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com to learn more about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!

The Importance of Showing Up For Yourself

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

How To Make Your Workouts Stick

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!

The Journey of Degree Fitness

September 2, 2025
Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!