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
A breakfast with protein is essential for me! If I just have a bowl of cereal and milk I’m hungry an hour later. But if I add and egg or greek yogurt I am full much longer!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/kstrembel/status/19879072792317953
I’d like to be way more relaxed around food. I’d also like to plan out some meals in advance to try and save money instead of just going to the store and buying stuff I don’t need.
I want to feel more in control of my food cravings in 2011.
I tweeted about your giveaway! http://twitter.com/#!/knack4nutrition
I am going to keep up with what I have been doing since 2010! No calorie left behind 🙂
A good breakfast makes my day a million times better!
a good breakfast is an excellent way to live and start your day off right — “one good decision leads to another” 😉
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Catherine Strembel, FitintheMidwest. FitintheMidwest said: @TinaFFF is hosting a positive and fabulous giveaway with the chance to win a $100 visa gift card: http://bit.ly/fJSK1D […]
I plan to floss more. And also think hard about what will make me happy post graduation. I don’t want to settle somewhere that will not make excited about entering the real world!
The Green Monster in a wine glass is awesome. <3
In 2011, I'm focusing on realizing that momentary satisfaction does not lead to a lifetime of happiness. That's my big goal.
Hey…you can’t have wine, have to make the spinach smoothie fun. LOL
And I tweeted. 🙂
http://twitter.com/#!/SwimRunOm/status/19909560982573056
I’m planning on getting better and better at listening to my body and my cravings, and practicing mindful eating.
You look AMAZING in that picture! So healthy and strong.
Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of my day. I never miss it! I’m trying to eat more at breakfast and lunch, and having smaller dinners. I’m always so hungry first thing in the morning!
In 2011, I plan to focus more on how I feel than how I look. When I get the right amount of exercise and eat right, I feel amazing! And then that usually reflects in how I look anyway 🙂
I plan on trying some different workouts and doing yoga even more!
I tweeted about the gift card!
I’m really proud of how far I’ve come, but in 2011 I want to become even more fit. I’m going to try to build endurance to finish a half marathon and I want to tone up my arms!
I tweeted about this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/#!/migasnat
My husband and I are finally getting a treadmill! I’m super stoked to not have to worry about the weather everyday….I can just run! 🙂
I am going to try to do more yoga in 2011. I think it will help my running a lot.
In 2011 I plan to Zumba at least 3 times a week and keep a food journal.
tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/19932600260890624
Following my heart and intuition in 2011 for me 🙂
Breakfast is definitely key! I want to do more yoga in 2011 to improve both my mental and physical health!
I need to add some form of regular exercise to my life – the kind I can maintain. Right now it’s erratic – some weeks I exercise every day, other weeks not at all. I live on the beach, so I’m thinking walking the path along the shore for 30 minutes 5 days a week would be enjoyable and manageable. If I have time/energy for more – great!
I also need to cut back on my smoking. Yeah, I need to quit – but that feels like setting myself up to fail. Then I’d just chuck the whole idea. So instead I’m shooting for cutting back by 1/2. That seems do-able! And who knows, maybe success at that will inspire me to quit completely.
If at the end of 2011 I’m exercising twice as much and only smoking half as much I’ll count it as a big win for my health!
I think those are great goals. Like you said, you want to be realistic and make that progress first. Onwards and upwards!
I lost a lot of weight with chemo last year and need to pack on some pounds. But I also need to eat healthy. So this year will be about finding that balance.
I hope 2011 brings great health to you. And I have no doubt you will be able to find that balance. Think of what you have already pushed through the past year. I’m sure you have lots of strength!
I think the #1 best resolution I could make would be to decrease my alcohol consumption. I need to learn that a glass or two of wine is lovely and beyond that makes for a headache and excuses when I’m trying to get to the gym the next day.
(whisper…) it just tastes so good…
I plan on getting a hold on my sugar cravings. #1 priority!
In 2011 I will incorporate strength training into my routine and become more organized which will help me be less stressed/anxious!
I tweeted!
@heathamursch Enter to win a $100 VISA gift card! http://www.faithfitnessfun.com/6513/it-all-adds-up/
In 2011, I will try my best to get 8 hours of sleep every night. Sleep needs to be a priority!
A good breakfast is a MUST have! And in 2011, I will THINK about what my body really needs and what I desire before I eat. 🙂
2011 is a big year for me. I am finishing grad school with a publication in a major journal, starting a new job in a new city, and best of all getting married 🙂 I think keeping my sanity through exercise and yoga is my goal for the next year!
Wow. That is a big year! Enjoy it all. 🙂
A good breakfast is so important. I find for myself it really sets the tone for how the rest of my day will go food wise!
I am going to stop drinking soda and drink only water!
kport207 at gmail dot com
In 2011 I plan on managing my stess with natural remedies such as doing more yoga, practicing meditation, and eating healthier! My pefect breakfast is rolled oats with blueberries and oats, however that breakfast sandwish looks like my ideal lunch. I absolutely love breakfast sandwiches for lunch!
I also tweeted about your post!
http://twitter.com/?status=%68%74%74%70%3A%2F%2F%62%69%74%2E%6C%79%2F%67%48%4C%6D%74%77#!/LaurenEGeorge/status/19978723033878528
I look forward to bettering myself in the coming year. Not only will I lose weight for myself I will also be a better role model for my two kids. That is the best I can wish for in the new years.
Thanks,
Scott Martin
[email protected]
Kids can be such great motivation, can’t they? Best of luck to you!
I’m going to stop drinking pop again and go back to water only. I felt so much better. Thanks!
watch my suger intake better
I think I need to cook more and eat out less… not only will it be better for my wallet, it’s also good for the salt intake!
I plan to walk more often, eat healthy and drink a lot of water.
fighting cancer right now and just out of treatment and isolation but need to find balance and ways to heal the body so would like to try yoga to better myself in the new year
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I send you my best. I hope 2011 brings wonderful things for you and your health. 🙂
This year I will decide to be healthier all around! I plan to eat healthier and lose weight! My strategy is to not overeat, but still eat the things I like. Thanks for the giveaway!
Balance with eating can go a LONG way. I learned that the hard way over the years. I have always been in the best shape when I didn’t restrict, but honored my body with quality food too.
I tweeted too!
http://twitter.com/#!/benny8484/status/20008424062324736
I was just thinking about my goals/resolutions for 2011. Nothing set in stone yet, but I want to continue exploring the “rules” of intuitive eating. I’m tired of diets (that I get sick of after a few weeks).
I want to eat good, good-for-me foods and like it. I want to stop obsessing over what I’m eating. I want to enjoy things like peanut butter fudge without feeling guilty about eating them because I “shouldn’t.”
I know that there are going to be some huge changes this year: country, lifestyle, job. We’re going to be living the dream, and throughout all of that I want to:
1) be more compassionate.
2) eat more intuitively.
3) love more.
I am going to work out three days a week.
That’s a great and realistic sounding goal. 🙂
This year, I plan to quiet my mind as a way towards mental and physical health. Finding a quiet and stable core will help me reach my goals!
I like that goal. I know I have to have things in sorts up in my head to really accomplish physical goals as well. Best of luck to you! 🙂
portion control/destress