I did not wish to wait until the New Year to start being healthier and regular readers will know that I have already being making changes in my lifestyle choices.Besides New Year’s Resolutions are usually broken. What I have done is slowly change my habits – hoping to not only improve my own health but to provide a good role model for my kids. It seems to be paying off as now my children drink water as opposed to squash with their meals and throughout the day. I never say never and so they are still treated to fizzy drinks when we are out. It is not just about my body though, and have to admit that mentally things have been rather challenging; I just have to remember all the good things that I have, and the good in me, and keep going.
Things I have done to improve my health
First of all this is about realism – I may drink broccoli, flax, cucumber, celery, apple and spinach for breakfast but then I also may stuff my face with a box of Jaffa cakes. . Those of you who follow my Instagram will be more up to date to know that I am running more often. I have also decided not to drink alcohol and have managed to go all through December without a drop to drink (alcohol wise obviously). I decided that I don’t really need it and it will not do my weight any good. Both my husband and I have decided to try to eliminate caffeine and so have made the move to decaf teabags (I also have some fruit ones).
I am trying to keep up my water intake and use my Nutribullet to drink more juices (especially when I am tired). Trying to get more earlier nights. I have changed how I look at food – no longer seeing cereal as my best or only option. And snacking I now have dried fruit as a naughty option – which I am assuming is better than crisps, chocolate and pastries (but as said I still occasionally have these). I clean my teeth earlier – which means I don’t get too tired to do a proper job and makes me less likely to want to snack late into the night. I have also started to up my fitness when I am not running (I have a workout DVD, been playing Just Dance with my boys and have had had the odd go on our 14ft trampoline!)
Things I am planning on doing to further improve my health
I hope to further improve at least my diet and we are planning meals more – with the help of online shopping. We have increased our vegetable intake by using frozen and I want to take this further by using my Nutribullet for vegetables more. I also want to try to eat more fish (trouble is none of us are big fans). Plus I tend to miss lunch or grab a can of rice pudding – again I need to plan more and make sure I am eating better. When the kids go back to school and the routine back in place I am hoping to have a regular earlier bedtime. I need to keep up the exercise and not use all the many jobs that need doing as an excuse not to keep myself active.
Improving my Mental Health
What I need to do now is work on the me. I am hoping how I treat my body will help but it is also how I think and feel. Running is helping as it is forcing me to make time for me. Sometimes it feels like there just isn’t time – but what it is is me not putting me first. I need to remind myself how taking care of myself is important. If I am not fit and healthy in the future then I will not be in any position to do the washing/cooking/cleaning/whatever job I think is so important. But I am trying harder to find the positive in things. To assume less and ask more. I have been reading Renee Davis’ Become the Best You. She basically tells you to make plans for improvements. That only I can make these changes. I know when I feel tired I let things get on top of me more. So I need to learn to prioritise myself and my family over any blog stuff, social media stuff and cleaning – because none of it is as important.
So what next – I need to look into more meal ideas. I need to read more. I think self-help as well as fiction to help me relax. I think I am going to schedule in “me time” – whether that’s a candle lit bath, reading a book or putting my feet in that foot spa I got all them many Christmases ago. I want to learn to be an even better parent and going to try to read books about that and step away from the internet more. As I say I am keeping it real and balancing improving things with treating myself more – even if that does mean treating myself to some deluxe hot chocolates more often.
So what about you – will you be doing anything for your health in 2016?
I kindly received a free copy of Become the Best You because Renee kindly sent me a copy as she knew I wanted to be on a journey to improve myself. I am very grateful and recommend this book.
I love how you don’t feel the need for the change in a date to make positive changes in your life.
I changed to decaf a year or so ago and really couldn’t taste the difference but I am trying to cut out tea altogether at the moment (mainly due to the two sugars I take in them).
I love the positivity of this post and look forward to following your journey this year.
Oh Joy you are always such a massive inspiration. That tree photo says so much about you – ever generous and insightful. I hope you are giving yourself some credit for how far you have come – especially with your running. Your mental attitude is very healthy, which is obviously leading to you being so. Brilliant. XXa
Such an inspirational post Joy! Good luck with everything in it! The tree photo is just beautiful whilst the hot chocolate pic has me wondering whether we have enough milk to go and make hot chocolate! Happy 2016! 🙂 x
You are doing a great job and really making a change! You must feel so proud of yourself. It’s not easy to do the things you are doing. I’m particularly impressed that you went all through December without alcohol!
Good luck to you for the rest of your health and self improvement journey and happy new year to you!
What an inspirational post Joy!
You’ve done brilliantly and I’m hoping to do something similar so this was great to read. I’m trying to cut out caffeine at the moment but I’m struggling a little (a lot)!
What an inspiring post , I find now I am helping myself I am welcome friends back x
Hi do you still do the motivational mondays linky? I can’t find it but saw it on the linky list x
Hi Jules – thank you I was thinking about doing it and seeing as you asked I have. x
I started bit by bit with clean eating and now it’s become the norm so I’d defibsyely say it’s the right way of going about it. I’ve noticed my toddler eating things when he sees me try them so that’s defibsyely s good way too. So hard to find time for you too isn’t it? I’m trying but there always seems something else to do! Lovely post and great ideas x
i can relate to most of this list Joy. I really need to work on me too, and also need to start running again and eat better. You sound like you’re being very sensible about everything too. xxx
Well done and stick with it. We have no excuse not to eat lots of fruit and veg as OH sells them. I need to get away from the laptop more and get outside in the fresh air walking. #SSAA
What you’ve been doing with your running Joy has been truly inspirational recently. Without using the title “self improvement” I guess it’s what I’m really aiming to do in 2016 too. Although I’ve just called it “sorting ALL my life out!” Good luck with it all. I look forward to reading how you get on. x
I think you are making the right steps forward, I really think I need to read this book. It is all about finding the balance and it really easier said than done. I hope things are continuing to go well for you.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
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