So... how are those resolutions treatin' ya?
Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:43PM Our new gym opened just over a month ago. In the days following its grand opening, the parking lot was fairly empty. In the days around Christmas (when I could finally sneak in some gym time, having been otherwise subjected to an early December visit by the flu to virtually the entire Jones family) it was a ghost town.
This week, however, I had to park 3 buildings away to grab a parking space. Then, I had to fight my way to snag the one remaining treadmill in the cardio theater (which by the way has to be the most brilliant addition to a gym runner's regimen).
How much do you want to bet 30 days from now, I'll be parking by the front door?
We are a nation of well-intentioned, diet-seeking, overnight change-desiring go-getters... until life happens. And then we're back where we started.
Why all the starts and stops? I believe it's because we haven't embraced the idea that it's not about depriving and dieting, suffering and restricting... and so does Janet Helm, MS, RD of Nutrition Unplugged and my co-founder of Healthy Aperture. That's why she and the talented editors of Cooking Light Magazine recently published The Food Lover's Healthy Habits Cookbook:
They really got it right with this one. Just consider the title:
"healthy habits" - changing your approach to wellness through liveable lifestyle changes
"food lovers" - celebrating the great taste of food and the important part it plays in a healthy life
What's cool about this book is that it's more than just a cookbook. It's full of useful nutrition information, instruction and inspiration. And how do I know these tips & tools are "livable"? Because of the 50+ nutrition experts and bloggers who offer their personal insights throughout the book on how they make these healthy habits a living reality.
So what are some of the "healthy habits"?
Cook at least three more meals per week
With recipes like this Pork Tenderloin with Red and Yellow Peppers, which is included in the book, who wouldn't want to cook more?
image courtesy of Cooking Light | Photo: John Autry | Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Be active for 30 minutes a day, three times a week
The book even includes Janet's own personal account of how she went from not being able to run more than 3 blocks to completing a marathon. It's a great read and a reminder that it's not just about where you start, but how you finish.
Be mindful, purposeful, and joyful each time you eat
This one has to be my personal favorite. It's the concept of "mindful eating" that is really the cornerstone of adopting a better relationship with food.
...and there are 9 more healthy habits you can read all about in the book.
2013 has only just begun. If you're looking for a way to make those resolutions stick, or better yet, adopt a healthier approach to daily living, grab a copy of this book today OR enter the giveaway below!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to review. All opinions expressed are my own.
