By Meagan Avery — Senior Program Director, Healthy Living Old Colony YMCA
Each year, the media releases "Ins and Outs" lists spotlighting trends in fashion, music, fitness, and pop culture. These lists capture what's set to shine in the New Year and what's officially "So last year." Recently, a twist on this idea has emerged: people are crafting personal "Ins and Outs" lists for their own lives as they step into the New Year.
As the calendar turns, it's common to feel inspired to reinvent yourself. This approach helps you intentionally leave behind habits or patterns from the past year that no longer serve you, replacing them with healthier, more fulfilling alternatives. By focusing on what truly aligns with your goals and values, you can create sustainable, achievable habits that support a happier, more balanced version of yourself.
Here are some ideas focusing on nutrition, body movement, mental and lifestyle health to get you started:
OUT: Drinking sugary beverages, skipping meals, extreme calorie restriction, and following fad diets.
IN: Focusing on whole foods that nourish and give your body energy throughout the day. Drinking more water.
OUT: Skipping warm ups/ cool downs before and after physical activity, focusing on high-intensity training, using the "No days off" mentality, and obsessing over calories burned.
IN: Aiming for slow functional training for daily movements including spending intentional time to safely warm up and cool down, prioritizing active rest days, and tracking recovery metrics (stress, sleep, etc.).
OUT: Constant multitasking and the glorifying of being busy, being sedentary through the day, and screen time habits.
IN: Prioritizing rest and self-care, being comfortable saying "No" to things that do not serve you, taking movement breaks throughout the day, and setting limits of time spent looking at computers, phone, etc.
OUT: Buying into the media pressures of overconsumption and not attempting sustainable living.
IN: Re-wearing outfits instead of feeling the societal pressure to get something new for each event or thrifting quality items over fast fashion, reusing jars for food storage, and always traveling with a refillable water bottle.
OUT: Waiting for milestones to acknowledge progress.
IN: Celebrating your "Small victories" to keep you motivated in all aspects of life. As we welcome 2025, I encourage you to reflect and create your own personal "Ins and Outs" list for the year ahead.
Take a moment to identify the habits, behaviors, or patterns that feel "So last year"—those that may have added stress or negatively impacted your well-being. Then, shift your focus to brainstorming achievable, sustainable habits to replace them. This simple yet powerful exercise can help you intentionally shape a year that aligns with your goals, values, and happiness. Here's to a fresh start and a healthier, more fulfilling 2025!
