Ease into 2024 with these 6 simple habits

Plus, wave goodbye to soggy salads with this genius way to pack your lunch.

January 2, 2024 | VIEW IN BROWSER January 2, 2024 | VIEW IN BROWSER Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season — and we're so glad you're here to make your health a priority in 2024. We're doing things a little differently this year. Our January Challenge will launch on the 8th, giving you a week to ease into healthier habits. We encourage you to use this as a buffer week to make small changes to your routine and utilize "habit stacking" to build momentum and optimize your success.  These 6 simple habits will get you moving in the right direction and ready to take on a new challenge next week! We're looking for members to walk with Al Roker and Stephanie Mansour LIVE in New York City on Monday, January 8th. If you're in the New York area and can make it to the plaza, sign up here! Walking Challenge Walking Challenge Today's Workout Are you less flexible than you used to be? Or maybe feel a little achy after a long walk? You likely need to spend a little more time stretching. TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour explains that it's important to improve flexibility and stretch our muscles, loosen up our joints, and become more mobile in a variety of ways. Over time, stretching will improve your range of motion and reduce your risk of injury. Before you start exercising in earnest this January, incorporate stretching into your daily routine.   Get started with this simple 5-minute workout. GET THE WORKOUT Your Meal Plan Your Meal Plan Today's Plan If you're looking to try a new diet that's easy to maintain, affordable and backed by science, the Mediterranean diet may be right for you. It's less of a diet and more of an approach to eating and life. The focus is on eating more nutrient-dense, whole foods that you already enjoy eating, rather than restricting food groups or counting calories.   This Mediterranean salad jar makes brown bagging a healthy (and satisfying!) lunch a no-brainer. In a glass jar, simply layer lemon dressing with a bunch of chopped veggies, feta cheese and chicken. Come lunch time, shake it up and dive in!   Breakfast: Peanut butter banana cinnamon English muffin Lunch: Salad jar Dinner: Pesto salmon with artichokes and potato GET THE MEAL PLAN Social Share Social Share Join us LIVE all week! Today, your trainer Stephanie Mansour shared a simple 5-minute stretch routine to get you moving. Get the full video here — and tune in every day this week at 10 a.m. EST for a health tip from Steph that will help you ease into the new year! JOIN US ON FACEBOOK Making Space for Mindfulness Making Space for Mindfulness Calling all Start TODAY members. Come walk with us live on the show! Want to join Al Roker, Stephanie Mansour and your fellow Start TODAY members for a workout segment? We want to hear from you. READ MORE One Small Thing One Small Thing Real ways to make a difference in your life, one small thing at a time. Your January quick start guide: 6 ways to ease into a healthier new year We're shaking things up in 2024. Our Start TODAY walking challenge starts on Jan. 8, giving you a full week to prep your body — and your brain — for healthier habits in the new year. Think of it as a buffer week to get your mind out of holiday mode and into a healthier 2024.   This quick start plan was inspired by one of our Start TODAY member's success with "habit stacking" — layering habits on top of one another one step at a time so they really stick. There's no strict daily plan to follow, just a series of helpful habits you can sneak into your day — from drinking more water to sneaking in a quick 5-minute workout. By the end of the week, you'll be ready to tackle our new 100-mile walking challenge that focuses on really racking up those steps!   Start 2024 slow and steady by easing into these six healthy habits. READ THE ARTICLE Wellness News Wellness News My doctor decided to apologize after offering me weight-loss drugs. Here's why A longtime journalist shares why she declined weight-loss drugs and the hurtful situation that arose with her new doctor afterward. Magnesium is going viral as a natural sleep aid. But is it safe? Magnesium is an essential mineral for the body. Does it help with sleep and should you be taking a magnesium supplement? Experts explain. 2 signs your child needs to see a doctor as flu and COVID rise Kids don't need to see the doctor for every case of the sniffles. But you should get them medical attention if you see these signs. Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Want to refer a friend? Subscribe here Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Privacy | Contact MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION | UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT