New Year's Resolutions

Last year one of my resolutions was to work out more regularly. I have been more diligent at some times than others over the past few months but overall I held to this goal and I have seen the results. Since last year I've lost 14 pounds and two dress sizes, and am one size away from my goal. But these are the benefits I appreciate even more than the weight loss itself:

Fitting into more of my outfits and feeling comfortable in clothes in general.
More energy.
Feeling stronger.
Being able to do some "real" (not on my knees) push ups.
Thighs don't rub together when I wear skirts.
Most importantly: the lower back and shoulder pain I used to have are gone.

Having a baby really does a number on your core, and the result for me was pain in my lower back. I reallyreally appreciate that I've been able to deal with this through exercise rather than some other form of treatment.

I have not changed my diet too much. Mainly just trying to eat more fruit, veggies, and whole grains. When I'm at the store I look for the items with the fewest and simplest ingredients. For instance, last night we bought hot cocoa and I opted for the brand whose ingredient was chocolate instead of brands with a list of things I couldn't pronounce.

My goal for next year is to eat more healthful things and to do it in a way that is sustainable. I don't like the idea of "bad" food because I love food. I don't want to get a complex about it. I prefer the idea of balancing higher-calorie choices with exercise or lower-calorie ones. So, for instance, if I have cake or pie with dinner, maybe I throw in an extra workout or eat lighter foods the next day to balance. And when I do indulge in some sweets or (my favorite) fried food, I make sure it's something I really want and enjoy instead of some crap that I regret afterward because it didn't even taste that good.

A friend of mine who is a nutritionist recommended the dividing your plate method: half of your plate should be veggies, 1/4 starch, and 1/4 protein. I like that method because it's something I can maintain over the longterm instead of a diet that I go on and off of because it's so strict I can't adhere to it.

Next year I hope to improve my diet in the sense of getting more nutrients and vitamins from food rather than supplements. And of course continue to work out. I spent most of my younger life on one team or another and having regular exercise really improves my mood.

An unexpected but adorable benefit: watching Zoe do "push ups" and downward dog.