It's safe to assume that the majority of you have already thought about New Years Resolutions to create the most wholesome, fulfilling and healthful lives you can imagine. Out with old 2013 you, in with the new 2014 you!
Here are the most common New Years Resolutions on our lists:
1. Weight loss
- Eating less fast food, processed foods, refined sugars etc.
- Stop skipping workouts.
2. Finances:
- Stop spending money, particularly on frivolous or spontaneous purchases.
3. Wasting time being unhappy:
- Find a job you enjoy.
- Find the enjoyment in the little things.
- Make more time with family and loved ones.
A lot of our new years resolutions commonly work around cutting out so-called bad things rather than focusing on things we should add to our lives. If you are looking to be fulfilled, it is safe to assume the addition of positives rather than subtraction of negatives would be a good place to start. Here are 14 additions, in my opinion, that would serve anyone and everyone for a more fulfilling and healthful 2014.
1. Add plants to every meal- fruits, veggies, beans and lentils are all key contributors to a healthy diet, energy and the vitamins and minerals you need to create a wholesome diet. You don't have to be vegetarian or vegan to reap the benefits of plant-based foods.
2. Drink more water- water is in every single cell of our bodies and is involved in absolutely every single daily function between our cells. Even if you think you don't need more, 99% of us, do.
3. Make tea a staple- black coffee is good. More and more research is showing the health benefits from drinking coffee, so long as it is not decorated in sugar and fat laden creamers. But there are a ton of health benefits from tea that you will not get from your typical cup o' joe. If you still want coffee, enjoy that first thing. Then, switch it up to green tea or black tea if you are still looking for a caffeine boost.
4. Create a weekly exercise routine- and stick with it at all costs. Skipping workouts only leads to regret. Remember, the only workout you will ever regret, is the one you didn't do. Go at the same time each day of the week, fit it into your schedule and keep it as an appointment that you don't have a choice but to attend.
5. Add organization back into your life- utilize a planner of some sort whether it be hand written, from your computer or an app on your phone. Make sure it includes all your important events like workout times, meal prep and cooking days.
6. Try a new type of workout/exercise at least once a month. Being well-rounded is important in life as well as in fitness. Doing different types of exercise will cause you to use muscles you don't ordinarily use during your typical, every day routine. Worst case scenario, you hate it, and you try something different the next month!
7. Incorporate some yoga- Have you ever heard of anyone NOT benefiting from yoga? There are so many different types of yoga that there is literally something for everyone! Whether you are a new exerciser, injured, elderly, or an elite athlete, yoga can offer muscle lengthening, flexibility and strength unlike any other form of exercise. Plus, the mind strengthening aspects make it a must for all fitties.
8. Find a rewarding activity that you enjoy, that also gives back to others- one essential key to happiness I have found, is to love and be loved. Use something you are passionate about, (like animals for me) and find an activity that you would enjoy, that will give back to them. Even if it is just whenever you have the time to fit it in, adding in an activity (like dog walking at a local animal shelter for me) can leave you feeling fulfilled and purpose driven. Knowing that I make a few lives better every time I leave the animal shelter, makes me feel so good.
9. Start making a more conscious effort in relationships- Any and all types of relationships take work. Although many of them fall into place easily such as friends, family, or loved ones, they should still be worked at. Make a point to put more effort into anything you may need to work on, whether it be listening, being more gracious, showing gratitude or maybe forgiving easier. Ask the people in your life, "what can I do for you to make our relationship better." Maybe it will be something you never even realized they needed from you!
10. Have faith in something- My life changed the moment I realized that even though I could probably do a lot of things well on my own, I can do them so much better with God! Whatever you believe in, own it, cherish it, make it an active part of every choice you make.
11. Embrace and enjoy- We so often sleep walk through life and our day to day routines. Instead of embracing and enjoying what we do, we waste so much precious time being unhappy or complacent in jobs, relationships and hobbies. Take a second to breathe, feel and embrace each moment and find happiness. If it doesn't bring you happiness, truly, then it's probably best to walk away.
12. Set aside time for personal enrichment- Pick one thing you need to improve on, and one thing you have an interest in and set some time to get better at each one. Personally, one thing I need to get better at (and my group exercise ladies will vouch for this one), is being in the know of national issues that affect our country. One thing I want to improve, is my knowledge of the bible and my relationship with God.
13. Make rest days, active- Go for a walk, play with your kids, join a coed softball league. Just because you have a rest day, doesn't mean you should go to work and then lay in bed for the rest of your day. Find something to get you moving!
14. Be open to change- I firmly believe that nothing in life is ever certain. If you take anything from this post- take this, right here. An open-minded person has so much more to discover than those who are very firmly set in their ways. Being close-minded means having a closed heart. People who live this way cannot possibly experience everything life has to offer. Open mind=open heart.
I hope everyone enjoys a safe, and fun New Years Eve with loved ones!
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