It All Adds Up

Posted: December 28, 2010 at 1:55 pm

This 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.

kickbox

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.

IMGP9059

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!

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519 Comments to “It All Adds Up”
  1. angie says:

    One thing I am doing this year is adding at least one serving of FRESH fruit to my diet every day…not canned or frozen…FRESH!

  2. scott says:

    gradually transferring all my pantry items from traditional to organic/whole food based!

  3. rebecca says:

    While a good breakfast is important, my focus will be on stressing less by forgiving quickly.

    spiersrp at gmail dot com

  4. Melanie says:

    I plan to get outside and walk more in 2011.

  5. Jennifer says:

    eat healthier and walk more

  6. julieh says:

    I plan to eat fresh foods (fruit, veggies, lean meats) instead of processed and fast foods.

  7. Daniel M says:

    got to get more regular exercise

  8. NJJ says:

    Doing more yoga and eating more fruit and less junk

    goldengoddiss09(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. hazel hunt says:

    Would love to win!!

  10. Barbara says:

    My plan is to be more disciplined in doing strength exercises with light weights. I bought a mat to do them on, so now I have no excuses.

    [email protected]

  11. Sarah says:

    I’m going to stick to my Weight Watchers and get off the couch more.
    sarah.stern.13 at yahoo.com

  12. Natalie J. Vandenberghe says:

    I know that it’s important to eat breakfast; however, that has been one of the hardest things for me to implement. It seems that if I eat in the morning, I get hungry soon after. I am slowly making changes as far as consumption goes and I like what you wrote about balance (not to sound cliche, but I think I’m going to try to make that my motto this year). Thanks for the giveaway.
    [email protected]

  13. Suzanne Lewis says:

    I plan to eat less carbs and walk 1 hour 5x per week.

    txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com

  14. charline says:

    Breakfast is themost important meal of the day I eat oatmeal for a quick healthy breakfast,
    stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)

  15. I plan to drink more water!

  16. Brandy Byrne says:

    As I’ve gotten older I am just not that hungry in the mornings but when I do eat it is a very protein based food. Like a boiled egg or 1/2 a can of tuna.

  17. latisha depoortere says:

    I want to eat better more veggies and drink more water less coffee! great giveaway thank you.
    tishajean@ charter.net

  18. latisha depoortere says:

    Tweeted too
    http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/31515702716272640
    tishajean@ charter.net

  19. Paula Hafner says:

    I’ve just came to realize how important a good breakfast is. I’m working on not skipping breakfast any more. I’m also trying to cut out most of my caffeine and sugar.

  20. Ann Muth says:

    I plan to relax more

  21. Pauline M says:

    My kids and I are trying to eat healthier. I decided to get them involved and it’s worked great! I let them scoure the internet for recipes, they send me a shopping list for items we don’t have available and put it together when I get home. It’s been great so far!

  22. Heather H. says:

    I think a healthy breakfast is very important to your overall health, including your mental health. I notice I have more energy thorughout the day when I eat a well balanced breakfast.
    hendymartin1 AT yahoo DOT com

  23. Rhonda Clemens says:

    Get at least an hour more of exercise a week for the first 2 months & continue to increase by an hour or 30 minutes more every 2 months after that, Eat more dairy, fruits, veg, & fiber foods!

    [email protected]

  24. Rhonda Clemens says:

    “Like” you on Facebook
    Rhonda W-C

    [email protected]

  25. Claire says:

    A good breakfast is absolutely key for me — if I eat one in the morning then I don’t end up overeating the rest of the day!

  26. Jimmy says:

    I’m going to drink less Coke and more water

  27. kittycardero says:

    I decided to choose water instead of soda.

  28. Suzanne K says:

    I’m taking it a step at a time… first step is get into a well established habit of a good breakfast! These Jimmy Dean’s sound great! I’ll also mix it up a bit by having oatmeal with raisins that I dried last summer.

  29. Carolsue says:

    Breakfast is important because it keeps you going — you are more alert, healthier and happier! Lower-calorie products such as Jimmy Dean sandwiches are filling yet healthy for you. And add exercise!
    digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net

  30. momznite says:

    cutting way back on sugar intake and switching to whole grain products is part of becoming a healthier me.
    momznite_at_yahoo_daught_com

  31. Chrysa says:

    We have a new dog and I have been walking him for an hour every day. I’m also adding a lot more produce to my diet!

  32. Darcy B says:

    I only eat breakfast on the weekend–it’s not good for me and it’s not a good example for my children–so I’m trying to eat breakfast everyday.
    [email protected]

  33. Elizabeth Ray says:

    In an attempt to get in more exercise, I am training to participate in a Warrior Dash (5k obstacle course)

  34. Emma Peel says:

    To try to be a more caring and kinder person than I already am
    emmaspeel(at)gmail.com

  35. mistysunrise says:

    I plan on eating more fruits and veggies

    itsjustme62613 at gmail.com

  36. Marilyn says:

    first of all,I need to start eating breakfast

    jdmimi at gmail dot com

  37. Jennifer R says:

    I plan to make better choices for meals for myself and my family this year. I think a balanced breakfast is very important to start our day right and avoid the mid morning snacking.
    reejen at comcast dot net

  38. R Hicks says:

    I plan on eating less fatty foods
    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

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