New-tritious Habits for a Healthy New Year

For me, living a healthy lifestyle is a balancing act between four main “things” in life: food, physical activity, mood, and relationships. How are you fueling and nourishing you body? Are you stressed, unhappy at work, pressed for time? Do you surround yourself with positive people or negative Nancy’s? I’ve been reflecting on these 4 areas a lot lately, and have come up with a few new-tritious habits for a healthy new year that address each one. Even though these goals are personal, I hope they spark some inspiration for you in your resolution-filled 2015!

FOOD New-tritious Habits for a Healthy New Year

• Eat most weeknight meals at home, excluding ONE weeknight and Saturday night. We live in a city that has wonderful restaurants; both dine in and carry out. It’s tempting to eat out often! But by making more meals at home I can control what goes in my body and take it easy on the credit card.

• Shop seasonally. Berries in the winter in Michigan typically cost >$4 per pint. That’s pretty expensive considering we could go through a pint a day [between toddler snacks and smoothies]. I reference the “What’s in Season” page on the Produce for Kids website before I grocery shop to remind me which produce items are in-season. In-season produce is typically less expensive and full o’ flavor!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY New-tritious Habits for a Healthy New Year

• Finding time for some kind of physical activity everyday. And yes, chasing a toddler does count as an activity! This is a biggie for me. I used to workout to reach a certain number on the scale. Obsessively. I’m pledging to ditch the scale, and work out because it makes me feel good, if not GREAT!

• Sign up for a 10k this fall. When the weather gets nicer, I’d like to get back into running. With 2 kids under the age of 18 months in my house, chances are I’ll be running towards the door often.

MOOD New-tritious Habits for a Healthy New Year

• Be a glass half full kind of person. This year I’m going to say [or text or email] one positive thing about my day out loud to another person. Hopefully it will inspire them to do the same back to me. Positivity is contagious, folks!

• Make one day a week a “digital Sabbath.” I use social media for all things work, family, and friend related. It’s hard not checking email or Twitter multiple times a day. But by setting aside one day a week to completely unplug, I’m looking forward to having actual conversations vs. using my thumbs to say “hello!”

  

RELATIONSHIP New-tritious Habits for a Healthy New Year

• Planned date night once a month. For some, once a month might seem too little. We are setting the bar at an achievable level knowing our schedules + adding two little one’s to the mix. Ted is taking the odd months and I’m taking the even to plan, set, and schedule the date! That includes finding babysitters…
• Sending more handwritten notes. I love receiving a handwritten card/note in the mail. I’m guessing my friends do too! I guess this is another way to unplug and let a pal know you are thinking [or thanking] them.

  

Again, my suggestions are fairly personal and may not work with your lifestyle. That’s OK! Think of them more as inspiration or a gut-check as we approach the New Year!

Tell me: what are some habits for a healthy New Year you’d like to implement? By verbalizing you are one step closer to actually doing it— or so I think.