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!
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!
Tags: breakfast, giveaway, healthy habits
I can’t start my day without breakfast. I make sure it contains some form or protein as well as carbs.
I am a morning person and a healthy breakfast keeps me going all day.
A better me in 2011? I definitely need to get back on track with my Bible reading. As much good foods, friends and family that I can put into my life- I’m still incomplete without my daily God time. That’s something I’ll be working on (and have been working on)! I’d love to use a gift card to purchase a few new devotionals!
You could also check with your church to see if they have a library of sorts. Many do and allow people to borrow materials for study.
Breakfast is my favorite meal! It starts me off right, give me some (much-needed) focus at work, and there are soooo many ways to change it up.
One thing I would like to change in 2011 is my self-confidence. I would like to accept myself for who I am and actually like who I am. That last one is a tough one.
Breakfast is key for me. If I go off track with what I am eating that early in the day, I usually go off track in a huge way! Right now, I eat beans every day for breakfast that I make once a week in the crock pot. They are a great combination of protein, carbs and fiber.
I plan on trying to eat healthier and to try to loose 20 lbs.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
2010 has tested me.
I’m designating 2011 as the year of confidence.
And I hope its a GREAT year for you! 🙂
2011 is my year. More gym, less coffee, and a good breakfast start to each day.
Eat much better and exercise more
In 2011 i hope to eat less sugar and make some more mommy friends
I plan to add more protein to my breakfast meal. Cheese and milk
bepoia(at)hotmail(dot)com
I plan to eat more fruit and vegetables and less empty carbs (cookies/chips)
tweet
http://twitter.com/buzz8/status/20168572877668354
A balanced beakfast is so important to me. It sets the stage for my entire day.
No more coffee only: a nourishing, well-balanced breakfast is the best way to start off our day!
A good breakfast is super important! I eat after I work out in the morning, and that protein really helps in recovery and helps those new muscles stay healthy. A good breakfast also makes it less tempting to splurge on an unhealthy lunch. When I eat healthy first thing in the morning, I’m inspired to eat healthy the rest of the day!
i never eat breakfast, so i will try to make an effort more often to start my day off right with breakfast
I am starting 2011 off on a good start by joining a gym. I lost 55 pounds on my own without being part of a gym and have fallen in love with exercise and to stay motivated what to be able to try out different routines for my body. As far as breakfast goes, it is the best part of my day and I eat steel cut oats with berries, nuts, flaxseed and cinnamon almost every day. Yummy!
I have GOT to start exercising.
In 2011 I have many goals but the two most important is walk closer to God (more quite times, Bible study…) and to get rid of my negative body image. I can’t do it without God’s help. I’ve tried too long. Your blog always encourages me.
A good breakfast is key, helps stave off hunger.
I’m going to tackle 2011 head on! Eating better, taking my vitamins and taking care of myself spiritually too. I’m a new Christian so I’m just now learning the Bible and growing in Christ.
i think the biggest thing that is going to help me in 2011 is acheiving financial savings that are the result of self-control. i’m obviously not defined by it, but it is necessary and i think the act of saying “no” to silly things i don’t need would be good to play out in the rest of my life. plus, i think that living sacrificially starts with the material possessions that mean the most, like money.
Breakfast is super important to me–I get so hungry for lunch when I don’t eat breakfast that I make bad choices, which I later regret!
I plan on walking more and eating more fruits and vegetables and less junk food and sugar.
http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/20205701250945024
My goals for 2011are to…
overcome binge eating disorder once and for all and get HEALTHY!
eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full!
spend more time with God and fall more in love with him!
get married- This is happening this summer!!!
I would like to conquer some of my phobias and fears so that I can lead a healthier, happier life.
Breakfast is important, especially one that contains adequate protein. Otherwise, I’m hungry again in two minutes. So I’m going to try to get plenty of protein for breakfast.
I would like to do more things in my life that make “me” happy. I am always doing things for other people and not enough for myself and my own happiness. I need to take the time and dedicate time for these things that make me a happier person 🙂
I recently joined an exercise program at work that pays for pedometer steps, workouts, etc. That should give me added motivation to exercise throughout the year.
bbentry [at] aol [dot] com
As I get older, a good breakfast has become very important to me, to maintain energy all day I need to stay away from processed food and sugary snacks, I’ve been eating alot more whole wheat and fresh fruits at breakfast time and i find i stay alot more alert.
http://twitter.com/#!/rewcath/status/20259506487304192 tweeted @rewcath
I plan to cook more from scratch and eat more whole/organic foods, I always feel better when I eat better
walk more
For 2011, I’m planning to quit smoking AND drinking pop. Wish me luck because I’m so going to need it!
I plan to do more yoga and jogging
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/20342173518012416
I would die without breakfast- it’s my favorite meal of the day
rmartinclarke @ gmail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/rsmc1/status/20374935360774145
My kids love pasta and noodles! I’m swtiching to whole grain pasta and buck wheat noodles!!! Small change, but hopefully and better alternative!
I run. So, my plan for 2011 is to work on incorporating running and other workouts. We’ll see how it goes 🙂
scottorbsmith at gmail dot com
If I skip breakfast, I get so hungry that I overeat the rest of the day. I try to make good nutritious choices in the morning to keep my on track.
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/clc408/status/20489710208024576
I plan to try to quit smoking this year.
We will be doing more renovations to our house and getting more exercise. Also drinking plenty of water. Thank you!
I tweeted http://twitter.com/Tina12312/status/20494431396298753
Happy New Year to you all!
I am going to get more sleep in 2011. Not getting enough sleep makes me sluggish all day.
I’m going to extend my work out from thirty minutes to an hour!