It All Adds Up
Posted: December 28, 2010 at 1:55 pmThis 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.
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.
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!
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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!
Tags: breakfast, giveaway, healthy habits
Unfortunately I got on the scale this morning to find that I am nowhere near my happy weight – not just in numbers but in how I look and feel. In 2011, I plan to get physically fit, eat better and try to shave off 10 pounds!
In 2011 I want to work on my impulse eating. I am definitely the kind of person who eats when I am bored and it doesn’t make me feel good!
I don’t normally eat breakfast during the week, but on the weekends I enjoy more of a brunch! I just can’t stomach food when I first wake up.
In 2011, I’m hoping to figure out the right balance for myself regarding exercise. We’ll see how it goes 🙂
I want to be more organized in the new year. I feel like this past year has gone so fast and I really did not accomplish anything for me. I am definitely going to change that!
I want to do more strength training and eat more veggies!
My plan for 2011 is to keep doing what I’m doing now! I’ve had a pretty successful 2010 as far as healthy decisions goes (save for the last couple weeks!) and I want to carry ALL of it over in to 2011. I’m one of those “small changes” people & don’t make huge changes, or multiple changes all at once. And Breakfast is SO important to me! If I eat junk for breakfast (i.e. McDonalds) I feel awful and end up getting super hungry again shortly afterwards, which leads to overeating throughout the day. When I have a nutritious breakfast (i.e. greek yogurt/berries/granola, oatmeal, etc.) I stay full til around lunch time & have more energy!
I love that you can be forgiving of the occasional frozen meal. Being in school and working full time, sometimes I don’t have the luxury to cook an all-out meal. I love the Kashi options and the Amy’s meals, especially now that there are so many more low sodium ones! My goal for 2011 on my diet is to really weed out more dairy. I have a cow’s milk sensitivity, and I often indulge it a bit too much, leaving my tummy uncomfortable and angry. I want to be able to enjoy an occasional frozen yogurt, but make it extremely sporadic.
I’d really like to up my protein intake a little more and start being a little more cautious of my dessert choices. I have no intention of cutting them out completely, but believe they’d probably be a little more enjoyable if I’d make them more sporadic…
For a better me in 2011, I’d like to really hone in on what my body is telling me to do. Whether it’s to eat, to rest, to workout, to add something to my diet, etc. – this will be a really big challenge for myself!
A balanced breakfast is very important for me to start my day off right. I also always need to make sure there is protein in there so I’m not hungry an hour later.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! Next year, I plan to train for a couple of races and work on strength and flexibility as well. Also, to continue to stress less and appreciate the little things everyday.
My goal for the new year is a mental one: leave the guilt in the old year, reduce how much I worry about other people’s perceptions and thoughts about me. Live life for myself.
And that is just what you need to be doing. Perfect goals for you and I will cheer you on. 🙂
Right now I’m trying to get back to “normal” eating. I’d like to add more (non-meat) protein to my diet. Also, listening to my body (hunger vs cravings).
Breakfast is ESSENTIAL, especially when nursing. I remember how ravenous I was when I was breastfeeding Addison. I would get up multiple times a night to eat. I realize now that I wasn’t eating enough calorically dense foods. I’ve gotta focus more on that this time around!
I plan on cutting back on soda (or attempting at least), teaching myself to not worry so much and eat more veggies. 🙂
And I’m a big believer in breakfast. No matter how busy I am, I need some yumminess to start my day.
My resolution is to find MY healthy that’s not determined by the scale, the number inside my pants, what I eat/don’t eat. I’ve swung back and forth between being either emotionally healthy or physically healthy. Now I want health for my entire being: physically, mentally, and spiritually. So I’m going to take time for myself: discover new ways to move my body, cook new meals to fuel my body & enliven my taste buds, sleep 7-8 hrs a night, etc.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas!!
I want to focus more on portions, especially when dining out!
Great post girl! I love how you have your eyes on the prize without cutting yourself down at all. My kind of goals!
This year I’d really like to do more yoga. I just love the way it makes me feel.
2011 will be the year of getting a grip with food. Finding that balance between restriction and eating junk.
hehe! perfect timing, I was actually doing a lot of thinking about this next year too. I think I have a plan! And don’t forget, parts of it include that strength training workouts you promised me! 🙂
Nutrition is so important for our bodies. Dang, we put it through so much. This year I tend to enjoy more flavors and nutrients. Finding new foods/ftuits/vegetables to cook with, bake with, etc. I love that!
I plan to make yoga a regular part of my life in 2011. I practiced pretty consistently for about a month at the end of the summer and noticed a lot of improvements in my body. I want that back.
I absolutely LOVE breakfast and eat it every day. It’s crucial for me to start my morning with something healthy to give me energy for the rest of the day, like Greek yogurt + oatmeal + almonds + fruit or peanut butter on whole wheat toast topped with banana slices. And coffee, always 🙂
Tweeted it! http://twitter.com/#!/goofyfrito/status/19832907795275776
A good breakfast is ESSENTIAL for me. Without it, my whole day of eats and exercise goes down the tubes.
great post hon!
love that pic of you too!
i plan to make financial changes, i.e. pay off cc debt!
HAHA! Love the comic strip! 😀
I want to learn how to love myself and treat my body better.
I need to make a more solid attempt to back away from the sugar. It’s taken over my body!!
Just tweeted, too: @TinaFFF is having a great giveaway! Check it out: It All Adds Up http://networkedblogs.com/ckM9i
In 2011 I hope to continue and learn more about fueling myself as an athlete. I do a pretty good job normally but there is always room for improvement!
Breakfast is super important to me. I have to have it everyday, especially since my prefered workout time is in the morning.
Ohmygosh that comic is too flipping funny! I honestly feel like that sometimes =) especially when i ask for extra avocado or a side of guac and lemons and no sugar and blah blah blah. hehe
in 2011 I am going to get my fitness level kicked up by taking free classes at the marine corps base gym. I also want to try or make up one to two new recipes a week =) I hope I’m able to pull it off! =)
xoXoxo
jenn
Good plan! I’m a mess if I don’t have my breakfast in the morning. Usually some coffee, a piece of fruit and oatmeal or an English muffin. I can’t believe I used to skip it when I was younger!
My main goal for 2011 is to get healthy. Start eating right, defeat binge eating, and start exercising. I want to have all of tahe accomplished before 2012!!
I have always eaten breakfast, so when I don’t the day feels off somehow. Plus, I end up eating about 56,453,156 pounds of food I don’t need if I skip it.
I feel good with my healthy eating and am excited to get back to exercising after the holiday break, so my main goal for 2011 is to have more confidence in myself to get out of my comfort zone and reach for my dreams. Sound corny? YUP. But it’s true 🙂
a few comments from me 🙂
1 – i love the direction you’re going & i am totally hopping on board
2 – i am excited to (maybe??) see what those hormones are like in 2011 and that cartoon made me giggle
3 – love that you always have your smoothie or juice in a pretty glass … my kind of girl 🙂
I’m very excited for the upcoming year and changes too. 🙂 And, ooohhhh on your #2.
#3 – when you can’t have wine in the pretty glasses, you have smoothies. Hahaha!
I’m still working on my 2011 goals and thoughts – I definitely want to make some exciting changes next year, especially since my foot is pretty much demanding that I switch it up!
I LOVE breakfast and think it’s wholly necessary. I used to not eat it but forced myself since I knew how important it was. Now? You can’t stop me from eating it!
I actually posted about 2011 goals last night. How ironic. I plan to make exercise a daily component of my routine and to focus more on getting in loads of vegetables and fruits in as whole of a form as possible. I also plan to drink two cups of tea a day and get at least seven hours of sleep per day based all on an immunity boosting book I received for Christmas. Pretty groovy, eh? Best of luck w/ your 2011 goals, Tina! You can do it! You’re awesome.
Very recently I decided to cancel my account at a wonderful website because I realized as long as I had that account I was meticulously counting calories, entering food, making sure I fit the ranges for all the different categories: carbs, proteins, fats and etc.
After a while it just exhausted me and sucked up my time.
So in 2011 (and the last month of 2010) I have decided that I want to focus on eating healthy, whole foods and listening to my body. It’s a work in progress but already I notice a difference. (I went on vacation and didn’t gain a single pound!)
Unfortunately I’m not a US resident but I’ll comment anyway! I plan to focus on mindful eating for the new year (something I’ve been trying for a while to do, but that try is going to be stepped up a notch!!)
In 2011, I plan to develop a healthier relationship with food and my body. I plan to eat when I am hungry, stop when I am full, and overcome binge eating! I also plan to do strength training 3 times per week to build stronger bones! Thanks for all of your inspiration!
And I’m sure you can accomplish all of those things. I’m an email away whenever you may need some support.
I also hope to get back to a more balanced diet, but my #1 resolution? DRINK MORE WATER. This has always been so difficult for me, but is so very important. So that’s why it’s reached priority status.
In 2011 I want to exercise at least 4 times a week, but hopefully more. I want to work on myself, mentally and physically. I want to figure out what it means for me to be happy. I also want to cook more. My goal is to cook one new recipe a week.
I believe a balanced breakfast makes my whole day much better. I typically eat a 500-600 cal bfast and it powers me all the way till when I get home from school around 1:30 pm (im a high school senior). Not to mention I like getting up for food! 🙂
I want to up my protein intake, reduce the sweets, and find a balance with exercise.
I want to stay consistent with my workouts in 2011, but incorporate more yoga into my fitness schedule. Working out = a less stressed and more energetic me.
Definitely take care of my mind, body and health this year. Relax more and be appreciate. Try to stay present 🙂
I tweeted the giveaway too. For some reason, I can’t figure out how to send you the direct link, but you follow me on Twitter too, so you will see my tweet.
t
@FitintheMidwest
@TinaFFF is hosting a positive and fabulous giveaway with the chance to win a $100 visa gift card: http://bit.ly/fJSK1D
Awesome post! It doesn’t sound scripted and I learned a lot 🙂 You are going to do great in the New Year !!
That’s the beauty of the BlogHer review program. Nothing scripted. I get a topic relating to the sponsor and share my personal thoughts and style. I wouldn’t do it otherwise. 🙂