Welcome, resolution revelers, to the ultimate New Year’s resolution blog, where we can craft the perfect recipe for resolutions that stick! Grab your notebook and join me on this adventure as we embark on a journey of self-improvement sprinkled with a dash of humor and a splash of determination. New Year, new me? Let’s make it more than just a catchy slogan – let’s turn it into a mantra for a year filled with laughter, growth, and a sprinkle of glitter on those oh-so-ambitious goals. Buckle up, because we’re about to ride the resolution rollercoaster!

Healthy Eating Habits will be a Resolution Game-changer.

Picture this: your health journey is a thrilling adventure, and nutrition is your trusty sidekick. It’s not about counting calories like a mathematician on a mission – it’s about creating a foodie fairy tale where every bite is a magical step towards a lighter, brighter you. Enjoy crafting your own nutritional guideline.

On my mission to find my own nutritional guideline I have come across a few books that inspired me. Here they are.

1. Unlock Your Macro Type

If you want to know more about macros and how they can help you find the right balance, I would recommend this book. She explains macros well and has a lot of good information on what your ‘macro type’ would be. Then she has some advice on what you should be eating, what to avoid and what exercise would compliment your type. I believe that if you find the right combo of fats, carbs, fats and proteins, you can turn your body into a lean, mean, fat burning machine!

2. Lose Weight Like Crazy & the FIXate cookbooks

This is Autumn, one of my favorite super-trainers of BODi. She is also the co-creator of the portion control nutritional plan called Portion FIX. As a chronic overeater myself, I know her method works. She has a simple calculation to tell you how many containers of each color you should eat every day to reach your goal. Whether that goal is weight loss, weight gain or maintaining the same weight. Believe it or not, we can also gain weight from under eating!

Autumn and her brother, a culinary chef, created a few cookbooks in which they “FIX” our favorite recipes and make them healthier. The recipes are very simple and delicious. They also give you the breakdown of what containers each recipe uses up per serving. you can add all of these containers up until you reach your number of total container. Red for protein, green for vegetables, yellow for carbs, purple for fruits, blue for healthy fats and orange for seeds and dressings. If you are an under- or overeater, this plan may work for you. These recipes are quick, easy and the meal prep is as much or as little as you choose.

3. The 2B Mindset book: Yu can Drop It!

Ilana Muhlstein, a former yo-yo dieter herself, created the 2B Mindset way of eating, designed to have a positive mindset towards eating in general. She based her nutritional plan on the basis that food is not a reward, nor a punishment. It is simply a way of fueling your body in the most efficient AND tasty way. Her plan teaches you to divide up your plate for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in such a way that you learn to eyeball how much protein, carbs (from starchy carbs, fruits and veggies), fats, etcetera, you need. If portion control is not an issue for you, then her way of ‘composing’ your plate could be the way to go! These recipes are quick and easy as well, not a bunch of meal prep, unless you choose to set yourself up that way in advance.

4. The Metabolism Plan

Here is a totally new approach to food. I learned about this way of eating in 2020, right before the pandemic broke out. This book explains how hormones control the way your body reacts to the foods you eat. The thyroid is the gatekeeper that sends the signals to the rest of the ‘hormone pack’. She (thyroid has to be a female, if you ask me) if a certain food will make you gain or lose weight. This way of eating according to your hormones, is a bit of trial and error. A lot of factors influence the reaction of your thyroid: water intake, certain foods, sleep, exercise, MSG, and other stressors that can spike your cortisol levels, which make your weight go up. I would say, if you’re dealing with menopause, this way of eating may help you a lot. However, if you don’t like cooking or don’t have a lot of time for food prep, this one’s not for you.

The other part of a solid Resolution is Exercise

Now, before you get scared and run for the hills (Ha! Pun intended), I’m not saying you have to train to run a marathon or anything. Just move your body. Walking, jogging, swimming, running, yoga, Pilates, … anything you enjoy really. As long as you move for about 30 minutes a day, a few times a week, you will feel better and see amazing results after a few weeks. Moving your body is never a waste of time! Find something you enjoy and switch it up every now and then to keep it fun. If you need some inspiration to get moving, here is a book with 100 no-equipment workouts you could do anywhere and any time.

Whatever you do: keep it fun!

As we round up our New Year’s Resolution exploration, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. So, whether you will be working on mindfulness, fitness, or embracing kale like a long-lost friend, the key is to enjoy each moment. Celebrate your wins, laugh off the hiccups, and know that every small step is a victory in itself. Cheers to the resolution revolution, where self-discovery meets self-love, and may your path be sprinkled with the glitter of perseverance. Here’s to a year of growth, joy, and the unwavering commitment to becoming the best version of you!

If you are looking for fun ways to save time cooking your own meals, check out Samantha’s blog on the Top 5 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets!

Have a happy & healthy 2024, my friends!

Eve