Resolve to Stick to your Resolutions this New Year

Hi everybody, it's Heather here from The Beating Hearth and I am going to talk about something we're all going to have on our minds in about...oh, I don't know, depending which hemisphere you hail from, 8 or so days.

New Year's Resolutions. 

To some, that's a dirty word.  Many people resolve not to make resolutions.  But, I like them.  I like the idea of being able to make myself a better person starting....NOW!

So, here's some of my resolutions...and some tips on how to make them a little easier to stick with.

LOSE WEIGHT

Yeah....the dreaded one.  But one that is so important!  Okay, so here it is.  I have lost 60 or so lbs, back in the day, and I maintained it until I had baby #2.  So, this is one of my resolutions this year because I need to lose...60 lbs again.  I am back where I started.  Ugghhh!!!  What have I learned about losing weight?

1.  It's okay to feel hungry.  We are so obsessed about not feeling hunger pains that we medicate ourselves with food to avoid the sensation.  I have to tell myself, if it's 4 pm and the dreaded munchies are upon me, that dinner is only a few hours away.  I just need to simmer down and realize I will be eating soon.  Feeling hungry is not the end of the world.  My favorite trick to take my mind off of wanting chocolate is to drink a cup of tea.  I don't sweeten it, so I'm not getting any calories, but the simple act of making the tea and then taking the time to drink it, helps me to forget the need to nibble.

2.  Cut out the sugar.  Also the salt and fat...but for this post I am talking about sugar.  I have gone off sugar....once.  For about a month.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  But, I felt so good.  It was so painful for the first week, I was mean and nasty and just wanted a dang jaw breaker or anything to make me feel better.  But, I stuck with it.  After 2 weeks...I felt like I had a handle on the cravings.  I lost some weight and I felt really good!  Of course, the holiday season came along and I caved, but I really do feel sugar is the enemy.

Okay.  So that's the big one.  Now, here are a couple more that are more fun and have the goal of just making us better people.

MAKE YOUR BED EVERY DAY

This one is so easy..and yet I don't do it every day.  But when I don't...I notice there is something off when I go in my bedroom.  I know what it is...I just need to make my bed and tidy things up.  Once I do that I am so much happier!

COOK MORE FOR YOUR FAMILY

This isn't one I struggle with too much as I love to cook and my family eats in the home far more than we eat out.  But this year I am going to resolve to make more home-made bread for my kids and work to incorporate more vegetarian main courses.  The Mister is going to love that.  Come on lentil section of the grocery store!!!

EXERCISE

This one is so hard and yet essential.  I feel so much better when I have taken the time to exercise in the morning.  But...I want to sleep in that extra few minutes...so I don't do it.  Then I get working and no longer have time.  Not this year.  I resolve to wake up at least 30 minutes early to get a jog/walk in.  I have seriously not had a full night's sleep for about 4 1/2 years due to My Youngest being a terrible sleeper!  But, she has finally figured it out...mostly.  And I have been enjoying more sleep in the last month or so than ever.  So, I am going to turn this good fortune into waking earlier to accomplish this resolution.  There's been a new study out that if you sleep poorly it can lead to weight gain.  I am totally going with this for why I've not been able to shed the lbs.  No longer!  I am sleeping so therefore I am going to exercise!

ENJOY LIFE

It's time to enjoy life to the fullest!  Whether this means taking the time to read a book every night while lounging in a bubble bath or tickling your kids in the morning before school.  Maybe it's just taking the time to watch the sunset in the evening or a funny movie with somebody you love.  Take a vacation...even if it's just 30 minutes away.  Whatever it is, let's take the time to enjoy life.  Let's laugh more.  Let's have more fun.  We've got this one shot at a wonderful life so let's make the most of it.

Thanks for reading everybody and hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Heather