New Year, New You: 2012 Food Resolutions
If you made similar goals and resolutions, you’re not alone. I did too. I don’t know what it is about New Years, but it is a lot easier for me to make changes in the beginning than it is in the middle of the year. I like the feeling of a fresh start.
Creating a New You
I’ve been seeing the phrase “New Year, New You” everywhere lately. What does it mean to create a “New You?” To me that means taking who I am now and creating a better version of myself. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be new and better.
There are lots of things that I want to be better at this year. I know there are lots of ways that I can improve, but since this is a food blog, I wanted to focus on my New Year, New You FOOD resolutions.
I want to work on creating a new, healthier me. Overall I am a healthy person, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t areas that I struggle.
My New Year, New You 2012 Food Resolutions
1. I want to drink more water. I’ve already been working on this for several months, but it is a worthy enough habit to continue to develop and nurture so that I don’t fall out of routine. Need Tips for Drinking More Water? Check out my post.
2. Take care of myself, not just my family. For me that means making it a priority to start the day with a good, balanced breakfast. No more string cheese and granola bar in the car as I drive the kids to school. At least not on a regular basis.
3. I talked about how eating lunch at home when I’m alone is difficult, but just like my kids I need a midday break and a healthy meal. Check out my post: Moms Need Lunch Too! – 5 Easy Midday Meal Ideas for Mom.
4. I want physical activity to be a regular part of my week. I am so proud to say that since I posted my resolution to exercise 3 times a week I have kept that goal. I feel better physically and emotionally. Just last week I posted to Facebook the following message:
It has always amazed me that people say they have more energy when they exercise. Shouldn’t I be more tired? I finally experienced that feeling first had where I felt myself dragging all day and once I got my exercise in I was no longer yawning every 5 minutes.
5. Get up earlier. I used to be very good about getting up at 5:30 every day, exercising, and getting myself ready before taking the kids to school, but I’ve kind of gotten out of the habit with that and I’d like to get back on track again.
I loved what Tsh from Simple Mom said about setting your alarm a few minutes earlier each day. It’s all about baby steps. And that’s what I’ve been doing so far. Setting for 5 minutes earlier a couple times each week.
Photo credits: Grinding Your Own Flours and Using Whole Grains
by Allison of Some the Wiser
6. Incorporate more variety of grains in our diet. We are already pretty good with using whole wheat flour in recipes. But I know that I can grind my own flours to use other nutritious grains.
7. Make healthier choices when eating out. We don’t eat out too often. I think we’ve developed a good balance of eating in vs. eating out, but I don’t always choose the healthiest items on the menu and I often eat too much.
What are your goals for a New Year, New You in 2012?
Disclosure: This post is Sponsored By The Cheesecake Factory. It’s Skinny. It’s Delicious. It’s SkinnyLicious.
Marishia says
I guess I represent the masses out there when it comes new years resolutions.
– Eating healthy: eating berries instead of sweets, cutting out carbs but eating good fats like avo’s and seeds.
– regular exercise, putting up a weight loss chart and exercise chart, roping the girls in for a 3 times a week walk.
– saving money by changing to a Tracfone family value prepaid phone plan. For my family of 4 it only costs $27.96 in total each month. I get 50 minutes costing $9.99 and the rest of the family gets 40 minutes for $5.99 each.
-Making a date once a week with my husband for quality time and rekindling some romance.
Janssen says
I should get better about eating other non-wheat grains. but wheat is so easy!
Allison says
Good for you – doing so well with your goals! So far, I am still just “thinking” about exercising . . . But I think it is exciting that the Cheesecake Factory has a new skinny-menu! I love their food, but I am definitely working on eating in moderation – something that can be hard at restaurants.
Annie says
It’s so funny to see this post today, because this morning I was thinking “I really need to eat more vegetables.” I’m pretty good about fruits and grains and other healthy stuff, but vegetables always get the shaft–even if I actually like them a lot! Usually it’s the chopping that stops me–it’s so much easier to grab an apple than to cut up a bunch of celery. But now I’m determined to make that my 2012 food resolution.
Katie says
Fruit is a lot easier for me to eat than vegetables too, which is strange because like you said – I like vegetables! But it is a lot easier to grab an apple or orange for a snack than it is to snack on broccoli. Good luck with your resolutions – it is definitely a great one! 🙂
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Inspiring goals, Katie! I’ve, heard Jillian has no mercy but her workouts rock.
Drinking water now…!
Suzi says
“Sponsored by The Cheesecake Factory” LOL but I make cheesecake and what’s bad. As long as it is eaten in moderation. A slice for lunch with a fruit salad sounds outstanding.
Katie says
Exactly – I don’t “diet” or have foods that “aren’t allowed,” but rather eat what I want in moderation.
Erin @ Small and Simple Things says
Ah, your resolutions sound familiar. I’m working on more water and more physical activity, too, as well as getting to bed earlier. I had to laugh, though, when I saw that the post was sponsored by the Cheesecake Factory:)