New Year's Resolutions- Fact or Fiction

Let's face it: we all make a New Year's Resolution to go on a diet, go to the gym, and to lose weight.  And we make this same resolution every year.  Well if we make it every year- why aren't we at the point that we want to be at yet? And why are we making the same resolution every year?  I know that you are wondering why this happens- yet another year gone and still we are unhappy with our weight, our shape, our eating habits.  Well I will tell you why this is: life gets in the way.  

At the beginning of the year we rid our cabinets of all unhealthy food, stock them with fat-free this, and fat-free that, only lean meats and vegetables, buy a gym membership and vow to weigh ten pounds less by March.  Well let me tell you something- this is just unrealistic.  Sometime around mid-to-late January you will start to despise those fat-free cookies, you will start to crave the old food that you used to eat, and you will begin to excuse yourself from the gym.  This is where life comes in.  You will let life's circumstances hold you back.  "Well, we were having a party at work today so I had to eat 4 pieces of pizza." "I had a bad day at work I deserve to get take-out chinese food and eat all of it in one sitting." "I am too busy to go to the gym today, I will go tomorrow."  Trust me- I have made the same excuses myself.  You will continue to do this until one day you wake up and you haven't been to the gym or eaten a home-cooked, healthy meal in three weeks.  And it just becomes a viscous cycle.

But here is the deal- when we make our New Year's Resolutions we use the word "diet."  Let me tell you- I hate the word diet.  It is not even in my vocabulary.  And I can tell you right now this is the only time that you will ever see me use the word diet in any of my blogs.  I do not believe in diets. I believe in changing your lifestyle.  I believe in getting healthy.  I will never tell you to go on a diet.  Because, honestly, when and where does the diet end- and what happens when you quit the diet?  Do you just gain it all back?  And what if your friends decide to go to dinner and you decline the invitation because you are "on a diet" - are you on a diet from fun too?  

Here is my proposition: this year, make your New Year's Resolution to get healthy.  Eat food because it is good for your body and because it tastes good (good in a healthy way).  I promise you- you will get nowhere with 'fat-free' anything.  Instead of buying fat-free, try buying foods that are not processed.  Instead of eating meat for every meal, try something you have never had before.  Make a delicious vegetable and tofu stir-fry with grilled pineapple for desert! 

If you continue to put yourself on a diet you are only restricting yourself from the foods you want, and it will eventually end and you will be right back where you started.  If you are working to get yourself healthy you will want to eat foods that are good for you, you will even want to go to the gym!  Now I am not going to say that some days the easier choice will be to go home after work instead of going to the gym- or to choose a cheeseburger over some brown rice and vegetables, but that is just life.  If you learn to change your lifestyle, you will literally see the pounds fall off- but I promise you- that will not even compare to the way that you will feel inside.  

It is so easy to fall into the "diet craze" because everyone is obsessed with dieting.  But if you are the one to change your lifestyle, get healthy, get fit, and look great- everyone will be asking what you are doing to look so good and you will get to tell them "I vowed to get healthy this year."  You will get to be an inspiration to those around you- and help others get healthy too!  Between the wonderful feeling you get when helping others and your new found health you will have never felt better!

Here are a few tips to live by this New Year:

- Eat the rainbow.  Fill your plate with the brightest colors that you can find.  Spinach, different colors of peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash! This is a fun way for kids to eat healthy too.

- A trip to the gym, even if its for 15 minutes, is better than nothing.  You may not have much time one day- but you will feel so much better if you can go for even 15 minutes just to do a little cardio.  This will keep up your gym consistency.

- If you know that it has no nutritional value- don't eat it.  That's all there is to it. 

- Always allow yourself exceptions.  If I am telling you no fat-free cookies you are probably wondering what you are supposed to do?  Eat a real cookie!!!! It's not going to kill you.  Now I didn't say eat six real cookies- but I promise you, if you sit down and enjoy every bite of your cookie you will love it, and might not even need the entire thing!

- Always know that you have to live your life, and somedays will be better than others.  Each meal is a new start- so if you eat something not very nutritional for lunch that doesn't mean your day is ruined and to eat whatever you want for the rest of the day.  Try to balance it out with a healthy, fulfilling dinner.

If you have any further questions please feel free to email me at hillary@lifeyogatulsa.com.