Resolution 1
Healthy Mind, Body, Soul
Approaching 30 in 24 days and woke up thinking about this next post!
Healthy Mind
We all know that our minds grow slower as we age as we tend to stop challenging our brain as we settle into routine. My thinking in regards to keeping a healthy mind over the year is to challenge myself to learn more. See my resolution #11 - read to learn vs. read for fun. Other than this, I'm also learning Nepali (#2). Outside of these 2 separate resolutions I believe that holding challenging conversations about challenging topics I can also keep my mind active. Ironically, my husband came across this article today:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/education/edlife/03adult-t.html
Healthy Body
I've always heard people say that once they turned 30 their metabolism really started to shut down. Quite honestly, I found myself apprehensive about this claim! I haven't noticed this within my own body yet but have been traveling quite extensively since the summer so I have put on a few unwanted pounds. On the other hand, I've always been an athletic person & have truly enjoyed being active whether in the gym or on the trail.
Add to this resolution the following factors:
* January in Ohio (bleary, grey, bleak, shall I continue?)
* Holiday Eating (cranberry cheesecake, pork belly not once but twice, etc.)
* Hawaii Trip in February (bikini + beach + handsome husband = panic)
Therefore I'm going to kick start my routine with the following (which I started yesterday):
- NO Alcohol
- NO Red Meat
- NO Cheese
- NO Refined Sweets
Why did I choose this approach?
Alcohol - I tend to drink too much, meaning 1 beer or glass of wine daily. I'd really like to stop and get a grip on my body before drinking again. My hope is that once I get to Hawaii I'll be able to drink in moderation (1 glass of wine weekly) and continue that habit. So far, I've managed 2 days in a row! Success!
Red Meat - A few months ago I read a major article in the New York Times regarding E Coli and ground beef. Being raised in the country (read, no neighbors & no cable = the country) and passing cows contently grazing in fields and spending their days in grassy fields did not prepare me for the harsh reality of the meat industry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html
Knowing what I know now, I'm content to avoid red meat for the remainder of my life unless I know where it comes from. For example, there is a farm near my family's house which raises cattle and sells to Laura's Lean Beef.
http://www.laurasleanbeef.com/
If you are interested in continuing with your intake, please think about eating it responsibly!
Cheese - I love it a little too much. That's all there is to say about that. I dream of cheese platters.
Refined Sugars - it's artificial and unnecessary.
Studies consistently show that individuals lose more weight by diet alone vs. exercise alone. It's tough out there, trying to decipher all of the tips for weight loss! For example, see how you fare:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/best-tips/weightloss-quiz.html
But wait! It's not just about dieting - there are challenges to choosing weights vs. cardio!
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/cardio-vs-strength-training-workouts
To avoid maximum confusion, I'm stepping it up and doing both.
Healthy Soul
As a born and raised Jesuit educated Catholic you would assume that my faith would be the cornerstone of this resolution - but it's not. Over the years I've assumed more of a philosophy towards life and have shied away from organized religion. It's not that I have a problem with the Catholic Church, it's that I have a problem with organized religion period. My husband was raised as a Hindu but attended a Catholic boarding school for 15 years and has also followed Buddhism - I appreciate this more unique approach to faith - one that is a combination, according to personal preferences whether that be towards a philosophical view or one guided by institutional teachings.
I am hoping to attend church other than for holidays as well as gain a better understanding of other faiths such as Hinduism & Buddhism that are more based in a philosophy.
What for you dear reader? Let me know if you've had any luck with the above resolutions or challenges.
