Unsurprisingly January has the highest rate of people who embark on some kind of endeavor to improve their overall health. Be it giving up smoking, vowing to eat healthier, joining a gym, whatever: a majority of people are filled with some kind of optimism to start their year with their best foot forward. Given the “let loose” spirit I seemed to have adopted over the holidays, I definitely fell in that category of individuals. Let’s just say I was more than ready to regain some sort of control.
I know I’m not alone when I say that one of the worst feelings is looking in the mirror and cringing at the reflection, as is that overall bloated feeling. Those alone were enough motivation to rein it in come January 1st. Fortunately February is going to be off to a much better start. Whoever said plenty can change in a month was surely on to something!
I’m genuinely feeling so much better both mentally and physically, and fortunately the thought of wearing jeans doesn’t fill me with dread anymore ;)! Rather than commit to drastic measures, I set some broad goals which seemed to have done the trick:
- 3 normal meals and 1-2 snacks in between: Check mate! Knowing that I had a snack/meal not too long after definitely helped me avoid overeating. As for snacks, almonds, raisins & fruit have been my go-to given their portability.
- Go back to the basics in terms of eating: Our bodies are smarter than we think and constantly strive for a balance of nutrients. My meals are generally pretty basic yet contain some source of carb, protein and fat. Eggs, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and avocado seem to be repeatedly making an appearance!
- Keeping my portions in check: There have been a few instances at restaurants when I know I went overboard but overall, I think I can say I’ve stuck to reasonable portions. I still weigh out my carbs like rice, quinoa, and oats as those are foods which I can easily go overboard with.
- Drink lots of H20: Multiple trips to the bathroom when I’m asleep…what do you think?
- Work out 5 times a week: I didn’t start training for a 10 km as planned but I have been consistent with my workouts thanks to Body for Life. Having some kind of structure was all the motivation I needed!
- Not use every meal out as an excuse to indulge in dessert: It was definitely hard for me to avoid tucking into bites when we’d order a dessert for the table to share. However I tried to keep those bites at a minimum if that counts for something ;)!
- Limit my intake of processed/packaged foods: As many foods in Mumbai are freshly available, this is an easy one to stick to. The few packaged foods that I do regularly seem to eat are cereal and Finn Crisps.
- Try to eat less sugar: I mentioned that after giving up the final source of sweeteners in my diet i.e. Diet Coke, my sugar cravings have tamed. I also gave up chocolate in January so that alone must have lowered my sugar intake. My dentist would be proud :)!
And more than anything, January reiterated one thing to me: staying healthy is not an all or nothing approach. There were some days where I didn’t tick all the above boxes. There were other days where I knew portions had gone out of the window yet still proceeded onto dessert but at the end of the day, even doing one of the above is better than nothing at all.
Have you met any of the goals you set for January?
Where do you get all your little cartoons? They’re really funny! Great job making a big dent into all your January goals. I know I said this in your other post, but it’s so wonderful that you committed to giving up Diet Coke. From what I’ve heard from friends, it’s not an easy thing to do!
Haha I’m glad you find them funny- they are all courtesy of Pinterest 🙂
Great job!
Yay for follow through! I like that you set broad goals that really work with your lifestyle. I tried to do the same. And the one goal that I am definitely meeting is getting 64 ounces of water a day. 🙂 I’m pretty sure my coworkers think I have a problem! Haha!
Woo way to go on the water consumption- I hope you don’t have to wake up during the night too…not fun!
my goal was to keep my socks in pairs… failing miserably 🙁
Well done for the the commitment-especially with the diet coke. I’m glad you’ve embraced soda and vodka 😉 As for my goals I have stuck to them quite well avoiding mindless snacking and better better portion control!
Mindless snacking is SO easy so nice going on getting it under control!
Haven’t really met my Jan goals, still hitting the gym twice a week. I need to go 3 times a week, but I walk A LOT for work. Great goals, it’s funny after losing weight, we’re so scared to go back. I was 20 pounds over so I keep my weight in check now.
Great job! One of my goals was to make/try more new foods and I’ve been loving it! My hands aren’t liking the oven burns though haha 😉
Haha the measures we go to for good food 😀
Nice work! Making it through the month of January with your goals intact is no small deal. Multiple trips to the bathroom at night = hydration success, in my book. (That’s one goal I need to work on – now I know how to measure success! 😉 )
I’m also doing my best to de-clutter my life. I started with my desk and it was a huge success! Next up: my purse. Scary stuff hides in there…
I need to take a page out of your book- my closet is in GREAT need of decluttering!
You have such strong fitness goals! And seems like you are someone who sticks to them. Kudos!
Well done on meeting your goals! I found your blog through Kaths and had to stop by anybodys who said they love BREAD! 🙂
Love that your blog link is the perfect complement to bread ;)!
What good job sweetheart! you are such an inspiration 🙂 this is amazing to look back and see how good you are at acheiving the goals you have set for yourself 🙂 i can’t wait for another bfl update xo
Thanks Meg! I will definitely be doing a BFL update really soon, especially in terms of what I am liking and not so liking about the plan!
sounds like you’re doing a great job! go girllll!
I think you did so well this week! The dessert thing is a great accomplishment and giving up diet coke? I am still impressed by this 🙂
I have been stretching more and getting more flexible.. so I am working on that goal still!
I need to work on my flexibility…I am SO bad with stretching after a workout- perhaps a goal for Feb?
I love your tips on growing healthy and thin! Thanks for the inspiration Khushboo! 🙂 I’m gonna lose those extra pounds too 😀 Keep the inspirational weight losing write ups comin’! 🙂
Thanks and good luck to you!
Here ‘s your new follower! 🙂
Greta going Khushboo… and its time for me to take some lessons from your concept of setting goals which are doable and wider in scope 🙂 🙂
Thanks Purvi :)!
Way to go with your goals! I like that each is flexible but still a solid goal–makes them easy to attain without having to change/limit too much!
Exactly- the more rigid I am with myself, the less likely I will follow through!
Funny…I have no problem avoiding dessert when I eat out. It’s when I’m at home that I can’t seem to step away from the chocolate!
For me it’s the opposite because there are so many chocolate alternatives for me at home! That being said, I still had no problem reaching into the Lindt bar multiple times during the day whoops!
Bravo! I could never give up chocolates. Ever. Even how much I try 🙁
That’s great you are following through on a lot of it!
It’s always good to keep yourself in check 😀
It’s so interesting how some people have less sweet cravings when you lower the sweet intake (diet coke in your case). I may have to get on that… 😛
I did have a major chocolate craving a few days ago but besides that, my sweet cravings are a lot lower than before fortunately!
[…] more water. This is my perennial goal, but now I have a new metric for success, thanks to Khushboo: the number of overnight bathroom trips. Just one would satisfy […]
This is awesome. Well done KT. As you know, I met my Jan goals too, and have shed two more lbs since Feb began. And my knee has healed 🙂
[…] more water. Er…I’ve found some creative approaches, but can’t brag about any overnight bathroom trips, just yet. Officially adding this one to March’s […]