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
We plan to work out at our local Y. It opens later this month and we want to spend as much time as possible there. Thank you!
I plan on drinking more water, including more fish in my diet, and getting back into working out after a bad ankle sprain a few months ago. So far so good!
Btw, I’ve had those D-Light Bfast Sandwiches and they are great in a pinch!
My biggest problem with a good breakfast is that I don’t like to eat in the early morning, even though I know I need to eat something. So I stick with a glass of milk w/instant breakfast and either a banana or 1 slice of 7 grain toast.
tweeted http://twitter.com/tnshadylady/status/23784958455713795
blog post http://tnshadylady.blogspot.com/2011/01/jimmy-dean-d-lights-better-breakfast.html
Hmm for a better 2011, I plan on upping my iron intake through lentils/leafy greens. I’ve felt so lethargic and I hate taking supplements just because I always forget!!
For 2011, I want to drink more water, drink less alcohol, and ENJOY my exercise. And I’m a big fan of breakfast, it energizes my morning and makes me appreciate food 🙂
Breakfast is super important to me, otherwise I end up bingeing at lunch!
http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/23841555114627072
I never used to eat breakfast, and now I realize how totally important it is – it helps me not go overboard at lunchtime, not to mention it gives me an extra boost of energy (which I need, as I am totally not a morning person!).
I have to have a decent breakfast even if it is Oatmeal and Yogurt. I am focusing more this year than ever on healthy eating for sure.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
I plan to try to eat more healthier, and “all-natural” foods. I want to eliminate the fake sugar, and also to incorporate a more variety of fruits and vegetables. I think I tend to get in a rut, and eat the same fruits and vegetables all the time.
Tweeted here
http://twitter.com/gmissycat/status/23911860323491842
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
i am going to work on my health
i am making sure i eat veggies with at least 2 meals..i can’t just rely on vitamins anymore and i also am going to work to improve my good cholesterol level
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
I need to work on portion control.
http://twitter.com/#!/uberabby2/status/23936131271753728
I plan on drinking more water and eating at least the recommended amount of vegetables daily.
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/Sparklezstars/statuses/23939570689122304
Tweeted
[email protected]
The ONE thing I plan to do to better myself is to make time for myself to do the projects I have been meaning to do for quite a while 🙂 Y’know, Me-Time 🙂
Please feel free to contact me at:
allrightyes at gmail dot com
I just tweeted this giveaway here 😀
http://twitter.com/#!/TimboSquad/status/24012527436300288
Please feel free to contact me at:
allrightyes at gmail dot com
i plan to eat less junk, when I’m sad i’ll get more active instead of feeding my depression the chocolate it claims to want
I want to be more diligent in working out, which means my 50-minute workout video but it’s the one set of exercises thatt I don’t dread. Also, I’m helping my boyfriend to eat healthier 🙂
I don’t deal well with “thou shall nots” so instead, I’ll focus on doing good things for me: add more fruits/veg/whole grains and cut back on portion sizes.
Love that approach!!! Much more positive. 🙂
I notice that if I don’t get a good filling breakfast I am hungry all day and I feel deprived which leads to binges. I have also noticed that if I don’t get a good night sleep I am more hungry than ever the next morning.
Liz
I am absolutely going to start exercising again- standing while eating doesn’t count anymore.
ape2016(at)aol(dot)com
I love your list. Great tips and goals!
I too want to kick bad habits to the curve and focus more on important stufff like Bible reading/prayer, choosing healthy foods and getting up off my tush!
I have begun p90x to kickstart my fitness in 2011!!
http://twitter.com/#!/MMScarlett/status/24295367155646464
I know breakfast will be critical in jumpstarting my weight loss. I will incorporate breakfast and get more sleep, to start.
I plan on sleeping more, continuing to run 6 days a week, and getting better weight training done!
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/erunuevo/status/24433999959031808
A good breakfast is really important because it sets my mood for the whole day. If I skip breakfast and get hungry, I will be hungry all day. My biggest food goal so far this year has been cutting back on sugar. I love not craving it anymore. Thanks!
I’M GOING TO REALLY PUSH MYSELF TO STOP DRINKING POP & EAT HEALTHY AS I GAINED TOO MUCH WEIGHT LAST YEAR. BY THE WAY, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! [email protected]
2nd ENTRY TWEET twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/24540172364288000 [email protected]
I am using to track my calories ( have done WW before), staying away from the sweets – which is taking all of my will power and will be hitting the elliptical once it arrives. Really just trying to find ways to work around cravings and my bad habit of stress eating!! Lots of gum chewing
I must say I have never had spinach in a smoothie and that is bright green!
My plans for 2011 are to try and cut back on as much processed food and sugar as I can for a healthier lifestyle.
My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/24937357677428736
I eat breakfast every day – it is an important start to the day – usually oatmeal
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/CarmaSez/status/24995549367246848
I really hope to drink more water!
TWEET http://twitter.com/?status=http://bit.ly/gHLmtw#!/givekaciestuff/status/25076182663823360
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/EverydayVibrant/status/25237689657729024
A good breakfast helps me get through the day without ruining my diet on junk foods!
I’m going to incorporate zumba into my regime 🙂
I am going to make more home cooked meals- even breakfast- as they help me resist other junk laying around at work or snacks when I am out.
I decided that instead of “resolutions” I’m going to challenge myself to learn something new every year. I always felt weird that I didn’t know how to swim so this year I signed up for swimming lessons at our local community college. Not only will I learn a new skill, I’m hoping to get healthier with some much-needed exercise.
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/25725516623388672
I’m making an effort to eat more fruits and veggies all throughout the day!
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/sazzyfrazzy/status/25757749182726147
sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
I am adding jogging into my daily walking routine slowly and loving it! Also, I am not much of a breakfast person, but I am bringing yogurt, and apple, or something else healthy to work each day for breakfast now so I don’t snack in the morning. Thanks!