"Above all, try something." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
Yep, it’s that time of year. Everyone is feeling guilty from overindulging for the last 6 weeks or so and are resolving to make big changes in their diet and exercise routines. I don’t have any hard statistics, but I bet a big majority of those changes go out the window on or about February 14th. How can you make a resolution stick? Let me suggest starting by watching this TED talk from Matt Cutts, a Google executive.
After watching this talk I got inspired to make some changes. After all, what’s 30 days? I can do anything for 30 days. My first challenge was a biggie…the whole30 elimination diet. This changed the way I ate and I’ve pretty much stuck with it as a template. I did add a few things back in, some good, some not-so-good. So a follow up 30 day challenge was no Diet Coke. Done! Subsequent challenges included practicing ukulele daily, straightening the bedroom before bed and cleaning up the bathroom after brushing my teeth. The current one is 5 sit-ups, 5 push-ups, 5 lunges/leg and 5 squats every morning. Easy and doable.
It takes 21 days to make (or break) a habit. Why not commit to 12 mini-resolutions this year instead of one big one. Make the resolution specific…instead of “I’m going to eat healthy!” perhaps your first month will be “purchase grass fed beef instead of industrial CAFO produced beef when I shop.” Instead of “I’m going to work out one hour per day” you could try “I’m going to walk for 20 minutes daily at lunchtime.” At the end of 2012 I’ll bet you look back with pride at some of the changes you’ve made in your life.
As for me, January will see me doing the whole30 diet once again, to get back into fine-tune. I’d like to get that ukulele up to speed as well. Who knows what else the new year will bring?
I started a healthier lifestyle a little over a year ago after a very difficult pregancy and later being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had been in a hospital bed for a month, gained a lot of weight, felt really weak, and had a lot of stress and worry from having premature twins with health issues and tons of financial stress as well. I could hardly stay awake and to walk to the end of my street and back home left me feeling exhausted. After starting my medication and feeling slightly better, I decided that my diet needed to change and that I needed to take better care of myself.
At first I had one or two small goals and then began adding healthier habits as time went on. One of the first things I did was stop drinking soda. Then I switched out my snacks at night that were fattening and completely unhealthy to fruits and veggies. I added exercising and then a few months later set a goal of 30 minutes of exercise daily. I found yoga for stress relief and began practicing that. I think you will find that you gain confidence in yourself once you get through the first goal for 30 days. Soon one good habit leads to another, and one year later you have made many positive changes in your diet and exercise routine. I am now down 29 pounds and many inches, and have my stress under control. I exercise my stress away and then do my yoga to clear my mind and give me new clear energy.
I had driven by Nature Harvest Market for some time before finally stopping in to take a look. The gentleman there was very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. I tried samples and bought some great things. I loved the goat cheese and also the Simply Organic Fish Seasoning I purchased. This former junk food junkie has now baked fish at home 4 times in the past two to three weeks and really all you need is that seasoning. I will definitely be back and hope it’s here to stay in Mullica Hill. Good luck to everyone out there looking to make a positive change in your life and look for places like the Nature Harvest Market where the people are knowledgeable and care about their products and customers.
Debbie: Congratulations on making such healthy changes! Looking at things in small chunks, like 30 days, really helps me, too. I’ll bet you’re an inspiration to those around you. Thanks for letting us be a part of your healthy lifestyle!