2012... A new year, a new YOU? Everyone makes New Years resolutions during the New Year but many people do not follow through on their plans, why is that you ask?  Well usually we set ourselves up for failure. We want to quit smoking, lose 50 lbs, quit drinking. Most of the time our goals are set too high and we are not successful. Why not try changing your life in baby steps.

First off,  have you wrote down your plans for the new year? Writing down your goals on paper helps a lot to be successful. Don’t let your plans float around in the back of your mind, write them down, research on the subject, share your plans with others, get your whole family on board, and friends, set up a support group. Everyday look at your plans, write them down again. Set time limits for yourself. We all work well under pressure. If you don’t meet your time line then rethink your plan and set another date for yourself.

So, are your plans to lose weight? Or just be a healthier you? Well first off don’t run to the gym and get an expensive memembership, especially if you are not a person that has worked out in the past. You may go at first but sadly most stop going and waste their money.  What kind of activities do you like to do? Walk, skate, dance? Call a friend, make a date with this person , they are probably trying to achieve the same goals.  Be walking buddies. Sign up for a class AND GO! Hold yourself accountable. Tell them that you need their encouragement, share your goal and plans with them. Ask them what their goals are. Next thing you have to do is look at  your fridge and pantry. Is there more chips and cookies in there than veggies, rice and spices? That is your next step. Change those eating habits. I am not saying eat celery and salad all the time (although celery and hummus is one of my favourite snacks) I am suggesting you do a food swap. Get rid of the chips and buy rice crackers or rice cakes. There are a lot of great flavours out there now that give you the feeling you are snacking you something tasty. Also pretzels are a great snack if you are wanting salty chips. In the evening instead of chips and cookies bring out a plate of veggies and hummus. My kids dive right into a tray of veggies. Keep in mind when you are eating healthier it takes time to prep your food but is well worth the time and effort.  Always eat breakfast!  No kidding.  I know you have heard this before but it is very important.  Breakfast is what gets your system going.  We would never send our kids to school on an empty stomach why would we do this to ourselves.  No time?  Make a protein shake the night before, grab it and go in the morning.  Eat a banana, apple, yogurt, cheese stick, bagel, oatmeal & berries. Careful not to eat something too sugary or carb-filled as you will crash quickly. Another point I am sure you have heard often is DRINK WATER! I have one of those funky cups with a top and a straw. I keep it full of ice water all the time.  You can add lemon slices or lime to liven it up. Most headaches are stemmed from dehydration.

Eat small meals often.  Have a snack between breakfast and  lunch and a snack between lunch and  supper.  Some great snack ideas are; Nuts, fruit, cut up veggies, hard boiled eggs, dark chocolate (yes you read right) The higher the cocoa, the less the sugar. Glass of milk, tea,  trail mix (a great one to keep in your purse or bag)  Home made muffins.   I think you get the idea.

For supper; Let's not get into fancy recipes...  Your basic's... Eat brown rice instead of white rice, pasta or pototoes.  CUT out the noodles and sauce! Veggies lot's of veggies!!!  Can't aways have fresh? Frozen is a great swap!  Veggies are frozen at their peak!  We have a veggie steamer and use it daily.  So easy, add water, plug in,  dump in veggies cook for  15-20 minutes your veggies are cooked perfectly. Meat,   Chicken breasts or fish. We eat alot of fish (just started to eat it) Put your frozen fish on a cookie sheet, add onions, peppers, garlic and some Kraft Greek with feta & oregano dressing bake for 20 minutes and there you have a healthy, quick, easy meal!

Did you know it takes 20 minutes for our brain to tell our stomach we are full?  Eat slowly, enjoy your meals.

Did you know our brain sometimes get confused and thinks we are hungry when we are really just thirsty?

Did you know there is 9 teaspoons of sugar in ONE can of cola?

So the whole point is not to change your whole life but make little changes to your eating, to your exercise, to your attitude and you can achieve your goals.  Don't forget to write your goals down on paper!  You are 10 x more likely to follow through if you write down your goals. Buddy up with a friend, family member, or co worker. Download some great tunes, get those running shoes out of the closet and go for it!

Try to get those 8 hours of sleep, we are all less stressed if we are well rested. Read quietly before bed, cut out the TV 30 minutes before bedtime.  Keep your bedroom for sleeping, reading and sex only (for those that are old enough tee hee hee)

Did you see the Mad TV skit?  Eat Less, move more?  Check it out on you tube!  Very funny!

Happy 2012!  To a healthier, happier YOU!