Not Too Late! New Years Resolutions You Will Love

If you are anything like me, you have already backed out of at least one new years resolution. This is probably because, like me, your resolutions were lofty and abstract goals like “get in great shape,” or “find a better life work balance.” These are great ideas but without a concrete plan of action they are nothing more than wishes. This year I propose we simplify our goals and bring them down to earth. Define one thing you would like to change about your life such as, “I would like to have more energy.” Then find one action you can perform every day that works towards that goal. For example, “I will sleep eight hours every night.” Once you have defined your action you are on your way to making good on a new years resolution that might actually change the way you live your life for years to come.

Aside from making your resolutions simple and manageable, I believe my next idea will revolutionize the entire resolution industry:

Make changes that ADD to your life. Don’t deny yourself!

So often we equate getting healthy with denying ourselves. I am convinced this need not be the case. Here are some resolution ideas that will leave you feeling full.

Eat more fat:

That was not a typo. If you crave sweets it is because you are hungry. Period. The secret to being less hungry is to eat more healthy fats and protein. This year, instead of focusing on what you shouldn’t eat, load up on avocado, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, nut butters, olive oil, oily fish and butter from grass fed cows. Embrace these good fats and use them liberally, especially at breakfast and lunch, and watch your sweet cravings disappear.

If this sounds too good to be true, it isn’t. It is going to take a while to undo the effect of decades of food industry propaganda but the fact is, fat won’t make you fat. Even saturated fats (provided they are from healthy, grass fed cows) won’t make you gain weight or elevate your blood sugar and cholesterol as quickly and efficiently as sugar and simple carbohydrates.

Don’t forget breakfast:

From helping control weight to curbing mood swings and enhancing fertility, breakfast is the power meal that changes everything for the better. Your breakfast should be low in sugar and high in protein and healthy fats. It doesn’t need to be fancy – think eggs, nut butter, yogurt, and berries – but it does need to be within 90 minutes of waking. Eat a healthy breakfast every day for one week and watch your metabolism speed up and your caffeine cravings diminish. Studies show that people who eat breakfast lose weight easier and keep it off longer. Breakfast has even been shown to improve outcomes of IVF and other reproductive techniques. Don’t skip it!!

Walk more:

Resolving to walk more is a particularly efficient resolution because it has so many other resolutions built into it like spend more time outdoors, exercise more, spend less time texting, you get the picture. Ten minutes of sustained walking twice per day will give you your necessary vitamin D fix, stimulate your immune system, clear your mind, and boost your basal metabolic rate. How to fit it in? For most of us, walking to the next closest Subway stop and going, picking up lunch rather than ordering in to the office, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator will more than do the trick.

Laugh More:

Laughing is easy, fun, and free. It also makes us healthier, happier, and feel more relaxed. I am convinced that if we all laughed more the world would be a better place which makes it the perfect resolution for 2014.

I can go on and on but I think you get the picture. Make your resolutions simple. Make them actionable. And make them fun.
2014 will be on it’s way to being the BEST YEAR EVER!

Love,
Ayla
PS. I’m back at work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday now. I look forward to seeing you soon.