It All Adds Up

Posted: December 28, 2010 at 1:55 pm

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Jimmy Dean, however the opinions and feelings expressed here are my own.

2011. A new year. Normally I do not buy into the “resolution craze”, but 2011 will certainly include changes and growth for me. A new baby will fill my year, as well as working towards getting back into my “best-shape” self, where I feel physically strong and emotionally well. In order to do that, I will have to commit myself to taking the necessary steps to care for myself.

I will need workouts. Not only will workouts improve my endurance and strength (and the look of my backside – just saying), but they will also give me a mental break and time to de-stress. That’s pretty important for this momma.

kickbox

I will need to provide for my personal needs. For me, that includes many things. Prayer and quiet reflection, because you don’t want to know me without them. Activities and hobbies I feel passionate about, like this blog, because they provide an outlet. A focus on sleep and rest, because its an important part of health. Hey, that goal will help the prayer too. I know I’ll be praying for sleep with a new baby!

I will need quality eating habits. I did my best while pregnant, but a pregnant body wants what a pregnant body wants. Those hormones are crazy. Even I don’t want to step in my own way of getting whatever it is I may crave.

Spending a good chunk of the year watching my typical nutritious noshing slip little by little, I know I need to refocus my healthy eating practices the most. How? The KISS method – Keep It Simple Stupid. Yes, it would be stupid of me to make things more difficult than necessary and place rules and restrictions on myself. I only want to have to defeat binge eating once, ya know.

- “The balanced diet”. I want to be sure I eat adequate protein, enough quality carbohydrates, and plenty of healthy fats. Getting enough of each will surely leave me satisfied and help provide for my body’s needs – from breastfeeding to workouts.

Carbohydrates provide a top notch energy source; fiber aids digestion and helps keep blood sugar levels stable, etc.

Healthy fats help the brain’s functioning, the production of cell membranes, the heart’s health, the absorption of nutrients, and much more.

Protein is vital to help build and repair tissues, bones, muscles, cartilage, etc. through the essential amino acids found in protein sources. It also is another viable source of energy for our bodies. Visit http://jimmydean.com/proteinbenefits/ to learn more about the benefits of protein at breakfast.

I don’t feel the need to meticulously track these components like in the past, thank goodness. How boring! I simply plan to include a form of each, in a reasonable portion, at most meals.

- Whole foods. The best place to find those essential macronutrients of carbs, fats, and proteins is within the natural foods of the earth. I want to focus on incorporating such foods, in as wide a variety as possible, into my regular eating again.

- Don’t fret food choices. As much as I want to focus on choosing whole foods, I also won’t stress myself over needing to turn to easier options at times. Let’s face it. Some days it will be tough. Sometimes I may need to reach in the freezer for something like a Jimmy Dean D-Light breakfast sandwich in the morning, when I’m rushing around to get out the door with two kids. It won’t be a go-to daily meal choice, but I do think its important for me to realize options like that are okay too. Plus, they clock in with under 300 calories and a good balance of protein (15-23 grams), carbohydrates (around 30 grams), and fat (around 7 grams).  When paired quickly with some fruit or a green monster (spinach/banana/milk smoothie), I still focus on getting in those wholesome foods as well. Visit the official site for more info on the Jimmy Dean D-Lights.

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It’s most important for me to still get in a balanced breakfast, rather than end up starving and reaching for tons of cookies and chocolate in the afternoon. Some, okay. Just not tons. We all know life is no fun without a little chocolate.

It’s the overall balance of things and doing what works for me and my lifestyle that matters most. In all ways, doing what suits my best interests and making choices I can live with happily and healthfully on the whole will bring me to my best-self again. A better you comes in knowing yourself and being confident in the decisions you make that keep you feeling good on all levels. So, cheers! To a year of improvement…and only you can determine what will get you there.

What decisions do you plan to make for a better you in 2011? Or how important is a good breakfast to you in a balanced diet? Comment below for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Giveaway Entry Rules: No duplicate comments.  You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Read the
official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.  Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.  You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. Giveaway dates are 12/28/2010 – 1/30/2011. Visit the exclusive offers section for more chances to win!

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519 Comments to “It All Adds Up”
  1. kelly w. says:

    I plan on eating more fresh fruits & veggies!
    chlorinebrain at sbcglobal dot net

  2. Robin says:

    I plan on exercising 3 times a week

  3. Colleen S says:

    Im trying to work 20 minutes of exercise in during the day.

  4. Kirsten says:

    My husband and I are in this together. We are trying for less greasy and processed foods and more walking time together.

  5. Deborah Wellenstein says:

    I eat breakfast every day, usually oatmeal and fruit. I think breakfast is essential!

    dwellenstein at cox dot net

  6. cy says:

    I have to have coffee with half and half and almond butter or eggs before I exercise every morning. I WON”T exercise without eating as it is strenuous and I wouldn’t be able to handle it without.

  7. Emily N. says:

    I’m going to eat more vegetables and fewer starches.

  8. MelissaO says:

    eating a good breakfast helps me set the tone for the day…I’m less likely to eat something terrible for lunch or dinner.

    wolverina401 at gmail dot com

  9. Betty C says:

    I need to make time for breakfast. I just seem to hurl myself into the day and then I am starving in a couple of hours.

  10. I have been working with my doctor – this is the year I am getting in shape and healthier – one of the first steps was my diet – working on a larger, healthier breakfast and a smaller dinner
    janicecrespo AT gmail dot com

  11. CATHARINE R says:

    I’ve learned that without a high-protein breakfast, my day is shot.

    ceriehl at gmail dot com

  12. Joanne Schultz says:

    I’m trying to get more exercise in 2011 and to eat healthier too.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    I can’t believe you put spinach into a smoothing and DRANK it!! I don’t eat/drink anything that color, LOL!
    (ok, except for guacamole!)

  13. Shannon says:

    exercising more

  14. Melinda says:

    We are trading in our ice cream for fruit smoothies:

    Fruit + ice + skim milk + yogurt (optional) = smoothie deliciousness!

    Healthy and tasty

  15. Artistic Baker says:

    I’m going to ride our recumbent bike 3 times a week. Make that purchase worth the money.

    artisticbaker at gmail dot com

  16. Sean says:

    I’m on the Ab’s Diet which means lean meats and proteins and fresh veggies.

    I want to lose inches and gain abs

    seanm1999 (at) hotmail (dot) com

  17. BG says:

    we are trying to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and not as many canned veggies

    bluegirl1423 at gmail dot com

  18. Ms. Fathel says:

    Drink more water in 2011. This is my goal for a healthier life.

    shoppingchic2 at gmail dot com

  19. Anne says:

    I am trying to eat more vegetables. I agree that breakfast is important, skipping meals never works for me.

  20. Carol W. says:

    I plan to increase the intensity of my gym workouts.

  21. CATHY TRUMAN says:

    I will eat more fresh fruit and veggies and drink more water
    and take long walks with my dog KC

  22. Diane Baum says:

    Without a good breakfast…I drag the whole rest of the day

  23. Aaron B from IL says:

    I have been eating more veggies lately and more reasonable portions. I am also exercising more and will do even more once the weather gets better.

  24. barbara wright says:

    I’m going to live healthier this year – not fanatically healthier because I won’t stick to it, but I’m going to try to do a little more each day to be healthy.

  25. Donna B. says:

    I’m making better choices by reading food labels, eliminating drive-thru meals *sob* and eliminating all sodas and sweetened beverages. I also make sure to add a fruit or veg to every meal. Just those small changes make a big difference.

  26. Sand says:

    A good breakfast is very important to me as it sets the tone for the rest of the day!

  27. Auriette says:

    I’m watching my calories every day, trying to lose weight. Breakfast is an important part of that because it gets my metabolism going in the morning.

  28. Rosey says:

    Ensuring adequate amounts of water consumption is my goal for 2011. So far, I have done a great job at monitoring my intake and increasing it as needed, but I was amazed at how lacking it really was in my diet.

  29. Justine says:

    I plan to eat better, walk more, and get a decent job!

  30. casey byrd says:

    WOW! your in great shape! Lime green jello over here! I LOVE Jimmy Dean! YUM!! *slurps*
    I’m trying so hard to lose this after-baby weight… shes 8 mo old and I’ve lost 15 lbs and I have 15 more to go! its a daily struggle to make healthy choices and be active. Hard to make enough time in the day, to take care of the baby and get my other little one to (and from) school, plus take care of myself, 2 dogs, the husband the house, but somehow I manage. (Moms do it everyday, but noone tells you how HARD it is! one was easy, two kids, totally diff! Lordy if I had more! ) Lord, grant me the serenity to not freak out over every little tiny mess. My resolution is to lose this weight!~
    I am eating healthier and trying hard! .. Wish me luck!!! 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I’m in that boat right now. It is so different with two! LOL I just try to remind myself the importance of caring for myself and that it passes on to the kiddos. It helps. You can certainly accomplish your goals too! 🙂

  31. me says:

    did you ever pick a winner???

    • Tina says:

      Yes, Blogher sent me the winning #. It was 91 – KatieTX. I thought I had posted it in a post but now that I think about it I got distracted when writing it and never shared it. Thanks for reminding me!

  32. […] Weekly Reminder: Still time to enter the $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway! […]

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