New Year’s Resolutions- Eat Your Veggies
Happy January 14th! This is an important day in the new year, it’s always time to look at how the past two weeks have gone and how resolutions are coming.
Are they realistic? Did you bite off more than you could chew? Are they too easy and you’ve already accomplished half? Did you fall off the wagon already and need a little push back on?
I typically set four goals, one in each of the following areas of my life: Physical, Spiritual, Intellectual, and Financial. Some are too personal to share, but I do want to talk about the one everyone seems to set- get healthy! Whether that be weight loss, dieting, or a lifestyle change, it seems like everyone sets some big goal and go big at the start of the year only to find only two weeks in only 71% are still sticking to it. This number fades until the end of the year where only 8% say they’ve followed through and achieved it (source).
Knowing this, I typically set a goal to run a big race. Marathons, half marathons, relays, you name it, that’s always been the goal. But this year I knew had to be different. My fertility doctor told me I needed to cut down to 3-4 miles max. I’ve been bad and run a few 10ks, but for the most part I’m being good and mixing it up with some different things that are really effective! I’m making my 30ish minutes really count.
I decided this year it was time to focus on diet. I’ve done some diets in the past, and I have to say they were pretty extreme and only lasted a month or two. Great results, but those also were short lived. I’ve done cleanses, Advocare, strict paleo, zero sugar, and I’ve always found I’m so disciplined for only so long before I feel deprived. I have a sweet tooth, and sometimes I take advantage of the fact that Metformin is handling my insulin resistance pretty well, and abuse my sugar intake. Diabetes, I feel you coming for me, and I decided this year was the year I wanted to make healthier eating a lifestyle change. And you know what, I’m finding the perfect fit for me that I couldn’t help but write this novel intro-ing and share.
It really is as simple as the sign I wrote about- I’m eating my veggies! I decided I wanted to be more plant based and that I was going to make veggies happen with every meal, even breakfast. Here’s how I changed up things:
Breakfast:
My mornings are looking a lot like this.
Green smoothies or omelets full of veggies have been the norm. This has been the biggest change and hardest meal, but I feel great, and I often add a lot of chocolate almond milk to cheer me up if I don’t feel in the mood for greens. It’s working like a charm and I’m getting an A+ for breakfast so far!
Lunch:
Because I’m cooking more veggies for dinner, I’m taking more leftovers. This is making lunches a lot easier than scrambling for whatever we have or whatever lunch spot I hit near work. In addition, I do work the crazy agency life, and sometimes I just need to grab whatever. Most places have salads, and that’s what I’ve been focusing on! You can usually ask most places to sub steamed veggies or a side salad too, and that’s saved me! If all else fails, a bag of carrots or celery have been had to keep me an honest woman.
Dinner: This one has just taken some meal planning, and grabbing a few more veggies to steam. It’s amazing how a side salad fills me up and I suddenly feel like only one slice of pizza is plenty. I’m not picky about the rest of dinner, but first and foremost I need to eat a full serving of veggies. If I don’t do this I’m making other recipes packed full of veggies like soup or stuffed bell peppers.
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I like your approach to your goals! Once I get the go ahead after baby is born I want to sign up for a race to get me running again. Looking forward to seeing how your goals unfold. XO
I pretty much hate veggies but you've inspired me! As for me the only way I enjoy veggies (and even then , only certain ones), is grilled with some fun herbs, or with some kind of stir fry. I think trying them in omelettes would be fun!
This is a great resolution. I need to start eating more veggies too! I love them, but sometimes it's hard to get them in. Best of luck
Hey Camille,
Lots of good gems in your post, so here's a tip. Try roasting your vegetables. They take on a completely COMPLETELY different flavor. You can pretty much roast ANYTHING. I will roast several kinds – separated in different pans, but all at once so much more efficient for the week. I eat them cold, heat them up, throw them in scrambled eggs and salads. Try it. I swear.
Great resolution. I need to eat more veggies too, I actually found having a baby helped because now she's eating solids I want to set a good example for her and not be eating junk in front of her all the time. Maybe when you have kids this can be a strategy too!
I was literally eating an entire cucumber when I read this. Ha! Also, does making chocolate zucchini cake count as eating veggies? Because I totally did that today.
I'm told I have to get a Vitamix. I've heard nothing but good things. Looks like you've found some yummy ways to get your veggies in.
I love the 80/20 idea. So many people fail because they are too rigid in setting up their goals. You have to allow for small gives or you'll fail everytime.