New Year's Resolution Solution Part 2 Continued

I have to tell you, lifestyle changes are so-o-o-o-o-o-o hard. Right about now all I want to do is sit down and eat an entire gallon of ice cream. Well, maybe not; but even though I like the food I am eating, I miss donuts and tossing back a movie size box of Junior Mints in one sitting. My poor Schwan's driver must hate me right about now. I've drastically reduced what I purchase from them. 

Saturday night I made mini spinach, mushroom and cheese muffins from a recipe I found in the Big Y Life in Balance. magazine. They were good, but not something I would want all the time. I like my muffins sweet. Other than that, breakfast has been hard-boiled eggs and yogurt or oatmeal with fruits and nuts. 

When I've been eating out I've stuck to salads or light meals. I joked with my husband when we took the girls out to eat on Sunday that it was a sorry state of affairs when my meal was the healthiest one on the the table. His diet is usually better than mine. 

Suppertime has been rough because my schedule has been nutty. Tonight I made myself a meatball grinder on a whole wheat pita with American cheese and salad greens. It was awesome. 

I worked out yesterday and today, but I've been keeping it a bit light because I'm not feeling one hundred percent. I did a butt workout today and my legs have felt like jelly ever since. I plan to take a day off tomorrow because I have an early house inspection. Probably for the best anyway.

They are starting up another Facebook group in February like the one I've been participating in. We get workout routines and recipes on a daily basis. We don't have to, but to keep us motivated they ask us to post workout photos and pictures of our meals and snacks. Let me know if you would like to join us.

New Year's Resolutions -- My Thoughts and Your Thoughts

It's that time of year again--time to make your New Year's resolutions. For years I avoided this because I have little willpower to stick with them. It seems silly, however, for a goal oriented person like myself to simply avoid them because they are tough. In reflecting on past resolutions, I realize I haven't treated them enough like my other goals. They are too vague: lose weight, eat better, exercise more (Who am I kidding? Exercise at all.).

For the record, I was underweight most of my life. Until after the birth of the Lil' Princess I was thirty pounds too light. So, now I am at the top range of--or depending upon how much I indulge, a few pounds over--what would be normal weight for my height. I just can't stand that all of it has settled into my middle and my skin is flabby.

This goal might sound silly, but it's part of my feel better, look better, eat better goal; and I figure my vanity will push things along faster than my desire to eat better and exercise.

So, in the spirit of making 2016 the best year ever, here are some S.M.A.R.T. goals for the new year.

GOAL 1 - Lose 10 pounds by June 30.

During this past week, I've signed up for the Eat This, Not That newsletter. I bought books this past year that I never had time to read, so I am thinking this short newsletter will be more effective. Today, I already made a list of foods/drinks that can help me shrink my belly and a list foods to avoid. I don't expect it all to happen at once, but baby steps. In addition, I am a visual person so this list should help. I might go so far as to create a board with photos to hang in my office as a reminder.

In order to truly make a difference, I have to:

Smaller goal: change my grocery shopping habits. While 2015 showed some improvement in what ends up in the grocery cart, there's still too much sugar, too little good fiber, and a bit too much sodium. My work schedule has created an environment where I depend on pre-packaged foods too much. I also need to stop buying soda. It's my one true vice. I really love it.

Smaller goal: There's going to need to be some better time management going on so that I can prepare meals ahead of time. If I keep Friday nights free--not always something I can do--I can make that a meal planning evening.

GOAL 2 - Find healthy recipes....and actually make them. 

I enjoy healthier options when we are out. I'm just stuck in the same old eating habits at home that I desperately need to break. So, I am thinking find a new recipe on a Friday night and then buy the ingredients during my regular grocery shopping trip.

GOAL 3 - Keep healthy snacks around the house.

Packaged healthy snacks can get expensive, but we need to start somewhere and I know my time won't allow me to make my own. I also plan to buy more fruit that I can easily carry with me to the office.

GOAL 4 - Exercise three mornings a week. 

This is going to be the toughest goal. I don't enjoy exercising and I never seem to make time for it. The reality is that if I don't do it first thing in the morning after dropping the girls off at school, it won't happen. That also happens to be, however, my prime time to get most of my work accomplished at the office because no one is around. My goal is to exercise Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:45 to 8:15. 

Smaller goal: Time block my calendar as a visual commitment to exercise.

Smaller goal: Use quieter, upstairs office space to accomplish more when in the office. If I am going to make exercise a reality, I need to distance myself from distractions. There is a new office space upstairs where I work which will allow me to not be distracted by so much office commotion.

Smaller goal: Substitute a short walk if exercise can't happen. The mall has a walking group and I have an ideal neighborhood to walk in when the weather is warmer. Not sure I would walk if it was too cold out, but we'll see.

I really think that is all I can work on right now. This will take a major commitment as it is to change some horrible habits.

So, what about you? How do you feel about New Year's Resolutions? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Avoid them altogether? Please share your thoughts. Also, if you would like an accountability partner, we could have a weekly check in time.

The Friday 56 - Week 159

Welcome to Week 159!

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post to the Linky at Freda's Voice. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Talking about The Turgo-Charged Plan:

The goal of this plan is to help the "resistant dieter"--the person who struggles to lose 1 to 2 pounds even when following a weight loss plan to the letter. 

Guest Blogger: Encouraging Your Kids to be Active and Fit at a Young Age by Beth Waters

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 24 million American kids between ages two and 19 are clinically overweight or obese. This is directly linked to the rising prevalence of diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular problems and autoimmune disorders. The worst part about all of this is that it's entirely preventable. While it may seem like an arduous task to get your kids to lead a healthier lifestyle, there are many things you can do to make it appealing to them.

Playing Outside

These days, it seems like fewer kids than ever are playing outside. This is sometimes due in part to parents’ desire to keep their children safe from any danger that could occur outside, but the allure of sedentary forms of entertainment as well as homework loads also play a large role. For your children's sake, encourage them to spend at least one hour each day playing outside.

Limit TV, Computer and Video Games

These are all very popular forms of entertainment, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. In fact, the Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a study indicating that the average American child spends roughly 7.5 hours each day playing video games, watching TV and using the computer. To curb this unhealthy obsession, it's recommended to set strict time limits for these activities. They're sure to appreciate them more when they don't engage in them constantly.

Family Fun

The family that plays together stays healthy together. Part of having healthier kids means setting healthy examples. You can do this by planning fun family activities that encourage physical activity for everyone. Things like helping mom in the garden, going hiking, visiting the zoo and going to the park are all great ideas.

Sports

Have your kids displayed interest in a particular sport? If so, this is a perfect opportunity for them to get healthier. Sports don't just encourage strong interpersonal skills and a winning attitude. They also encourage a healthier heart, higher energy levels, better concentration and an improved mood.

Healthy Eating

Most children are exposed daily to a steady stream of junk food, and other unhealthy items vending machines offer at school can make matters worse. You can't always prevent them from eating unhealthy foods, but you can take steps to minimize it. With the exception of occasional treats, put a household ban on sugary or heavily processed junk foods and drinks. Instead, keep snacks around like dried and fresh fruit, nuts, cheese, low-sugar yogurt, veggies and other healthy alternatives. With large amounts of sugar out of the picture, kids are more likely to want healthier, more nutritious foods.

Beth Waters is the mother of two children and has a passion for health and fitness. Her hobbies are searching for new recipes, trying new fitness fads, and writing. She writes for medical companies such as Liberty Medical as well as her blog at Carrots Over Cake. She enjoys sharing with bloggers her journey to living more healthily.