Daily Resolution: Happy New Year!
It’s the first Monday of the New Year… Resolution time again! I don’t know about you, but I have had many resolutions over the years. But, like most people, my success rate for resolutions is pretty dismal. So how do we increase our odds for success? Perhaps we set ourselves up for failure with our view of resolutions.
RESOLUTION: the act or process of resolving: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : solving c : the act of determining
RESOLVE: to find an answer or solution to (something) : to settle or solve (something) ; to make a definite and serious decision to do something
Perhaps our resolutions don’t succeed in part because 1) we fail to make a “definite and serious decision” (people are notoriously bad at goal setting) and 2) we fail to address the problems underlying our habits (we don’t actually “settle or solve” anything).
I have several goals for the New Year, but I don’t have a good plan. Apparently 2016 took me by surprise although I’ve had a full year to prepare! Ha! My posts will focus on health related goals, but you can work on any habit you like.
If you’d like to join the Daily Resolution journey along with me, I’d love to have you. However, my approach is a bit different. Instead of the Burning Match approach… you know the one… you start off fast and then burn out quickly, I propose a slower start… where we analyze, set goals, problem solve… and finish strong. And, no matter how we stumble along the way — because that will happen — for this year, consider a DAILY resolution… each day is new, a chance to change and grow. No waiting on next Monday or Next Year… it’s a daily resolution to determine our choices and answer the call that God sets before us.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Is 43:18-19
REFLECTION: How do I normally approach New Year’s Resolutions? What is different about the Daily Resolution approach? Am I willing to be patient and intentional about determining my choices?
Signed up for the St Jude Half!
The St. Jude Half has been something I have thought about for years. I admit I am nervous. I run 5K’s but I honestly hate running and much prefer to walk/run (or play tennis or ultimate frisbee). So what inpsired me to commit this year? My 9 year old daughter Karis and her best friend Kyleigh. This summer, just shy of her 9th birthday, Kyleigh was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery to remove a ganglioglioma (non-malignant) from her temporal lobe. Her progress has been AMAZING and Karis and Kyleigh are in the same 4th grade class (they are so excited!). Please continue to lift up Kyleigh and her family has she continues ongoing follow-up and adjusts medication to control seizures. Follow Kyleigh’s story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kyleight
This has not been the only time a close friend has been faced with childhood cancer. At just 1 year old, Hunter, the son of close friends lost an eye to retinoblastoma. He’s doing great and is now a proud big brother. See Hunter’s story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hunterhampton/mystory
These friends remind us how precious life is and that we are blessed. Please pray for me and Donnie as we train for this adventure. And, don’t hesitate to ask how training is going and keep us accountable. If you would like to donate to St Jude and help me raise money for our team Kisses for Kyleigh, I would appreciate it!
My St Jude Fundraising Page: http://heroes.stjude.org/heatherchambliss
Thanks!
Heather
Tomatoes: Fruit or Vegetable?
So, I’m watching “Top Chef” and the chefs’ challenge is to create a healthy school lunch. In defending their menu, a chef stated that his team added tomatoes to the sandwich for more vegetables. A judge responded that they added a fruit, not a vegetable. So, I was curious what mypyramid would say. Here’s the scoop…
“Hey, USDA, tomatoes are fruits not vegetables! Why does MyPyramid include them in the Vegetable Group?
Oh yes, tomatoes are fruits – botanically speaking. But so are eggplants, cucumbers, green peppers, and several others which you’d hardly expect. The botanical definition of a fruit has to do with its seeds. In MyPyramid, as was done in the Food Guide Pyramid, USDA groups foods according to how they are used in meals rather than their botanical definitions. Tomatoes are commonly eaten as vegetables as parts of salads, sandwiches, sauces, and so are in the Vegetable Group. For more on the tomato, click here.“
via MyPyramid.gov – United States Department of Agriculture – Tips & Resources.
Secret to Substituting Alternatives
#SitLessMoveMore Tip: Start small
In health promotion, we talk about substituting healthy alternatives, or making small healthy choices in place of a less healthy choice. This is usually a great way to get started in behavior change. Many people want to substitute with the most obvious unhealthy behavior, but this can backfire. The key to substituting alternatives is to start with something that you won’t miss. For me, this means reducing, not eliminating, Coke.
I am a Coke fanatic. As in the real thing. No diet. No, Pepsi is not OK. Don’t try to substitute in secret… I can smell the difference. I’ve loved Coke for as long as I can remember. My current mode of choice is in Sonic form… usually Large during Happy Hour. In my hometown of Ruston, Louisiana, I prefer my Coke in Icee form, either from Citgo U Pak It on Tech Drive (formerly Handee Mart) or Ken’s Mini Mart on the Choudrant exit. It is difficult to defend my vice. However, if I am forced to, I will justify it as an sports drink… sugar for energy, caffeine for performance enhancement, water for hydration. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. 🙂
So, I must make trade offs to make coke fit within my calorie balance. What tradeoffs do you make for your favorite vice?
Sit Less, Move More 