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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Tags: breakfast, giveaway, healthy habits
Tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/21667984292446209
A good balanced breakfast keeps me going all day.
[email protected]
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/marybug2/status/21699088122642432
marybug2 at yahoo.com
I plan on cutting out junk food. well most of it, anyway, and stop drinking soda as much in 2011.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/21710672614137856
I plan on eating healthier and getting into better shape in 2011. Bring it on! 😉 Thanks!
Tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/lipstickncandy/status/21736100850573312
I will be exercising 5 days per week
Thanks so much!
Janna Johnson
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.feedyourpigblog.com
I’m aiming to take the kids for 2+ mile walks in the neighborhood at least 4 times a week. That gets me off my rear end and gets the kids out for fresh air.
I plan to make small changes through the year, like eating more veggies and moving more.
[…] you catch today’s earlier post? I’m giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card through BlogHer! Be sure to enter since I would LOVE for one of my loyal readers to win. See? Sponsored posts have […]
i plan on switching my diet cokes for water at least 50% of the time
hi
My new resolution is to up my trips to the gym from 2 a week to 3 times a week. And to hold myself to “making up” missed gym trips with videos at home.
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com
I need to get smart about food and weight. I really hope that my new habits will get my husband healthy too, I really worry about his health.
I have resolved to actually eat breakfast in the morning. Usually I just run out of the house and don’t even think about it. So by mid-morning, I am starving and I have to go the vending machine to get something to snack on. So by eating a healthy breakfast every day, I should be able to curb all of the snacking that I do.
I eat breakfast every day and have found the Jimmy Dean sandwiches to work great as I’m flying out of the door.
I didn’t know Jimmy Dean sold frozen ready to go sandwiches. Thanks, now I do because of your post. The stats are too bad either.
I would like to stay organized and balanced in 2011, that includes fitness goals like working out at least 4 times a week.
I am setting aside 15 minutes daily for deep breathing and relaxation exercises. I’ve found that when I feel less stressed, it’s easier to meet my other goals, both health and otherwise.
dogsrock at insightbb dot com
im going to try to cut out alot of the junk food i’m eating daily. i know i need to eat breakfast every day because if i don’t then i start feeling weak after a few hours
i will try to buy less sugary processed foods
I’m a huge believer in starting your day out right with breakfast!!
Drink more water, cut out junk food and eat more fruits and veggies.
I am going meat-free in 2011…still cooking meat for the man, but working more on high quality sides as my main dishes.
Protein oatmeal… naturally. My goal for the year is “Seek Peace and Pursue It!” Psalms 34:14
Im going to stop striving for a certain weight and instead focus on finding my true “happy weight” 🙂
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! It sets the stage for the rest of the day’s eats! 🙂
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/TheNewHealthy
My goal this year is to simply take it a day at a time, and not beat myself up over not working out or eating poorly now and again.
In 2011, I want to pay down some of my student debt! While I have other things to tackle, this is the most foreign one to me.
I going to watch my fat in take more this year! I know this leads to heart disease.which I don’t want to happen!
No snacking, more water, better exercise plan.
I think breakfast is important to you day. If you skip it, you have so much less energy and have a tendency to hit the vending machine (ACCK)…
Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/1prizewinner/status/22851125870862336
I eat breakfast every day and this new year I plan on exercising three days a week. I used to aim for higher and ended up working out…never 🙁 Not very healthy but now I’m getting more sleep, watching my meals, and signed up for a zumba class 🙂
tweeted 🙂 http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/22876942504034305
I think breakfast is very important. It gives you the fuel your body needs to start the day. When I skip breakfast, I always end up snacking on something I shouldn’t just to make it to lunchtime.
luckycat1818(at)yahoo(dot)com
I preach the importance of breakfast to my kids all the time! I think it is crucial. I have a rule that no one leaves the house without breakfast.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/23131849828073473
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
I do want to walk more…it’s the only exercise I enjoy. [email protected]
I just want to get healthy!!
I will be more physically active.
I will make sure to stay hydrated when I exercise.
I plan to go after my goals in 2011. Until now, I followed the safe path, did what was expected, and succeeded. Now, I want to challenge myself, see just how far I can push myself. I want to be proud of myself every night when I go to bed and excited for a new day every morning.
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I plan to kick diet soda for good, and start providing more nutritious meals for my daughter. Her health and well being is on my shoulders right now and I want to make the best choices for her!
I am going to fill half my plate with fruit or veggies and the other half – half with protein and half with carbs. Easy for me to remember too.
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/jadenruby/status/23431601106976768
this 2011, i am keeping the focus on BALANCE. working hard to eat well but not freaking out when i consume one too many beers 🙂
in 2011, I’m working on reducing refined sugar intake. There are so many great recipes that use maple syrup or honey instead. And I’m really trying to avoid processed foods that have (usually unnecessary) added sugar!