HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I won’t lie and say that I’m in the same 2016-hating boat the rest of the world seems to be in, but I am so looking forward to a new year too! Setting goals and planning for success is so refreshing, and although I’m not naive enough to think that everything will ever fall perfectly in place it just feels so good to get it all out there.
I haven’t taken the time in the past couple of years to really lay out life and goals and all the things that I want to look forward to, which can be attributed to the craziness that is pregnancy brain and adjusting to life with two amazing little boys. There were so many changes going on that I just didn’t know how to plan for things I didn’t know I wanted. Blogging has changed so much for me after the birth of my kiddos – heck, it’s changed so much in general – and I wasn’t sure exactly how to jump back in with authentic creativity along with creating a billion how-to videos and Facebooking like a madwoman.
After a few good months of soul-searching and really trying to figure out directions I’ve finally gotten excited about planning and goal-setting and trying to be awesome in general. So I want to set out the next couple of days and reflect on some of the what/why/how stuff of my goals for the next year!
Let’s start off today with the standard “lose weight, get healthy” stuff. This past year I actually was able to lose about 15 pounds and keep it off, which felt great! The past month or so, though, I’ve been a lot more lenient in the eating department and therefore would like to get back to eating clean 90% of the time again. One thing that I also learned this year in food intake is that being super strict with eating “rules” doesn’t work well for me. For example, I’ve gone back time and time again to eating low carb but I’ve found that if I get too strict with it then all I really want to do is rebel. Therefore, losing weight started happening when I allowed myself the opportunity to eat rice or pasta or bread in smaller portions. Not too upset about that lesson!
A few things that have helped me to lose some of the extra weight:
- Vega smoothies. I have used both the Essentials and Protein & Greens versions, and love them both. Typically it’s almond milk, a scoop of protein powder, a tablespoon each of cocoa powder and almond butter, a half of a frozen banana, and some ice. Blend it up – and it makes a great breakfast or snack!
- Oatmega bars. I stumbled upon these on accident when Walmart gave me a free sample. They taste great, the texture is good, and they make a really great quick breakfast when I’m on the run (which is pretty normal in the morning these days).
- Siggi’s yogurt. If you’ve seen my Instagram stories the past couple of days you know that I am actually going to be making my own yogurt from now on. HOWEVER Siggi’s is SO STINKING GOOD. Creamy, barely sweet, perfect. It’s basically dream yogurt! I like to have some at night in lieu of a traditional dessert because it really is just perfect.
- Chocolate and wine. Sound counter intuitive? I promise it’s not – I just had to relearn that a small square of really great dark chocolate and a few ounces of wine give me a little something to look forward to at the end of a hard day. I don’t need a pint of ice cream to get satisfaction from dessert…although sometimes it’s nice to split one with my hubby 🙂
I’ve mentioned it before but food intake is always the hardest thing for me. I actually really love working out, and try not to take a day off because I know how good is it for my sanity. A few things that I’m looking forward to in the coming year with my workouts:
- 21 Day Fix Extreme. Great, quick, challenging workouts that are 35 minutes or less. I have really enjoyed these DVDs, and while I’m taking the next 6 weeks to try something new I know I’ll be coming back to these soon!
- Nike Training Club app. I’ve had this app for so very long and just forgot about it, but I’m working through a 6-week program starting today and can’t wait! There’s a great variety with different formats – add in some running or walking every now and then and you’re good to go. I’ll report back on how this goes!
- FitnessBlender. I’ve mentioned this resource before, but y’all? These workouts are totally free and completely doable in a standard home “gym.” I go back at least once a week because it’s always challenging!
- Get outside. The freest, easiest, best way to work out in my opinion. As often as the weather permits I’ll be getting outside with my guys to get the wiggles out!
While none of this is really a plan per se, I’m happy with the results I’ve seen from the simple act of giving myself freedom to enjoy “taboo” foods and exercising in ways that I really love to do. The goal for 2017? I’d be happy to lose another 15 pounds or so, but more importantly I want to model eating clean and staying active for my kids. I want to eat more plant-based meals, less sodium, more fiber, less sugar, more of the things that really make my body feel good.
Here’s to a healthier 2017! And tomorrow? Parenting! Talk about daunting… 🙂
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