New Year's Resolutions

See ya, 2014! Sure, we had some good times, but I think 2015 could totally be better...by a landslide! 

I think we all want to run faster, work out harder, eat better, sleep better, and have less stress in 2015. And our resolutions might even work for the three hours while we're still full of pork and sauerkraut (that's our traditional New Year's Day dish - sub whatever you eat! Black eyed peas? Shrimp? Ramen??)

My resolution is to cook good food and share it on the blog! The hardest part of posting (for me) is to remember to get a picture to go with the post before 10 pm when I'm too tired, and then I say I'll do it tomorrow, and then three weeks go by! So I promise to post MORE in 2015 and share all the goodies with you.

Beyond that, my recommendation is to break the year up into chunks...like maybe 12 of them. Yeah, that would work. You aren't going to lose 50 pounds in January. Trust me. I've never been able to. And you're going to go back to your old friend, COOKIES, when things aren't progressing by January 15 (or 3rd!). So instead, make mini goals for yourself. I'm planning to do some thirty-day challenges in January (squats, push-ups, and planks). I printed out the calendars so I can cross off the days, and I know once I start X-ing them off, I won't want to miss a day. 

Here are some additional suggestions I saw or came up with myself: 

• Pack your lunch four days a week.
• One day a week, drink nothing but water (or pledge to get your 64 ounces in every day for a month)
• Exercise every day, for at least 20 minutes (that's walking one mile at 3 mph)
• Try out a new group fitness class
• Set a mileage goal for the month.
• Make time once a week for a cause you feel passionate about
• Spend 15 minutes a day outside, soaking up the sun
• Try a new recipe once a week
• Journal your food - and that means everything you eat or drink!
• Find a buddy to help keep you accountable in your goals
• Make time to read a devotional, the Bible, pray, or meditate in the morning before you start your day
• Go to bed earlier to get your 8 hours in

I'm sure there are more, and they can totally be customized to your long-term goals. Do you need to give up sugar or caffeine or morning donut runs? Wouldn't that be easier to do for 30 days than saying you're giving it up for the whole year - or forever? 

I'm very specifically not giving myself a weight-loss goal (even though I have the same 10 pounds that I keep losing/gaining). Instead, I'm just going to focus on overall health and fitness, being happy with what my body can do and challenging it to do better. After all, the number is just a number.