Losing weight is one of the most common resolutions for the New Year that people make every year. Eating healthier and exercising regularly are other resolutions that are commonly make each year, too. These are all well-intentioned resolutions, yet sadly, statistics indicate that the majority of these resolutions are destined for failure even before they begin.
I know that this can’t be further from the truth, as I have been guilty of making New Year’s resolutions that weren’t set in stone in the past. That’s one of the reasons why I stopped making New Year’s resolutions and started setting small, attainable goals on being healthier throughout the year. Being healthy doesn’t necessarily just mean eating healthier and exercising, but it also means reducing stress and improving the state of mind!
I recently partnered with Coca-Cola, the creators behind Fairlife Milk, Odwalla Smoothies, and Simply Orange, for the #StartSmart2016 campaign. Their mission is to help people start smart, stay active, and keep active! The aforementioned products can be found at Safeway/Albertson’s.
Start Smart, Stay Active, and Keep Active
My job as a work-at-home mom is mostly sedentary. That’s why I made it my goal last summer to get more active. I started out small by using my exercise bike 15 – 30 minutes everyday and increasing my steps by hiking. Sometimes, I find that working out at home is a can pose as a challenge since there are too many distractions.
I also hate working out alone, yet I honestly never really envisioned myself going to a gym. That meant that I’d have to work out in front of many other people. That notion quickly went out the door once I signed up for a gym membership and started going there on a regular basis over a year ago.
I didn’t realize how motivating it is when you’re working out alongside others! Listening to music on my wireless headphones and wearing a fitness tracker like the Misfit Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitor helps me strive for the best in my workouts.
Wearable fitness trackers seem to be everywhere these days. The Misfit Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitor ($69.99) beautifully combines functionality and aesthetics that sets it apart from the rest. It can be worn anytime and anywhere, whether you’re going for a swim (it’s waterproof), black tie affair, or an elegant night out on the town. It can be clasped anywhere on your attire, including shoes or jacket; and strapped on the wrist, as it measures the steps you take, calories burned, activity level, and the quality of your sleep.
The Misfit Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitor is lightweight and can easily be worn around the clock. Like other fitness monitors, its goal is to motivate people to live a less sedentary lifestyle and set goals for themselves. It runs on a coin cell battery that lasts about 6 months, so charging it isn’t necessary. Once the power of the battery is depleted, you can easily replace it since these batteries are typically sold at supermarkets and online retailers.
Eat and Drink Healthier
I’ve been a vegetarian for several years now, yet I started leaning more toward veganism a couple years ago after a slew of minor health issues. I also opted for a mostly vegan diet since my body doesn’t tolerate dairy or eggs well.
Fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas are my all-time favorite go-to snacks. I also like incorporating them in natural beverages like homemade smoothies. Smoothies are a fulfilling and healthy choice for any time of the day! I’ll use plain water or coconut water as a base, while other times I’ll opt for a non-dairy alternative (cashew, almond, coconut, or flaxseed milk) or orange juice like Simply Orange in my smoothies.
I also love the smoothies by Odwalla, because they’re perfect for sipping on-the-go! Some of their flavors include Mango Tango, Red Rhapsody, Blueberry B, Mo’ Beta, and Strawberry Banana, to name a few. The Mango Tango is my favorite! I recently went to Safeway and stocked up on my favorite brands, including Odwalla and Simply Orange.
Essential Oils
Natural living is something that has always piqued my interest since I was a teenager! One of the things that I’ve always loved is aromatherapy. The aromatherapy that essential oils provide are an integral part of my daily life. I always carry citrus essential oils like grapefruit or lemon on hand since the smell of citrus is relaxing, yet uplifting and energizing at the same time.
Whether it’s the aroma from flowers or essential oils, studies have indicated that smells can have a positive impact on our state of mind. My favorite ways of using essential oils are diffusing them in an aromatherapy diffuser, applying them on the soles of my feet and pulse points, and waving them under my nose.
Save your receipt! By purchasing Fairlife Milk, Simply Orange, or Odwalla products at your local Albertsons or Safeway stores by March 24, 2016, you can enter for a chance to win 1 of 1,000 Misfit Shine Fitness + Sleep Monitors. For more info, visit here.
Something like 70% of people join a gym and never go. That’s a scary statistic. I have never been to a gym as I don’t want to work out in front of anyone else. Besides, two under twos seems to keep me fit.
I’ve been working on a lot of blog related goals right now. I’ve been feeling too sick to work on the fitness related goals I have, but eating healthy during the sickness I think has made it better.
I never go to the gym for 6 months and my body got tired so fast, I need to back in the healthy lifestyle thanks for motivating me
I love my Misfit Shine, what a great promotion – thanks for sharing!
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Those smoothies sound awesome. I am definitely going to look out for them when I go grocery shopping so I can grab one 🙂
I’m going to try to achieve my fitness goals by the time I going to Acacian the summer. My New Year’s resolution is to learn to eat healthier for my body into treated better with exercise. I hope we both can attain our goals this year.
I have a Fitbit, but it isn’t waterproof. Definitely have to check out that Misfit Shine (and the cost is less, too)!
I’ve been busy keeping up with writing deadlines. I know I should get out more often, however, the one thing that I do pay attention to is watching what I eat.
I need to start eating healthier and yes that might sound ironic coming from a vegetarian. I don’t eat nearly enough fruit and veg as I should!
I’ve been working towards being a healthier version of myself. While we tend to eat a lot of organic foods I still eat unhealthy at times. BTW I just love Odwalla!
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I love those pre-made smoothie drinks. I know they sometimes contain bad things, but overall it makes me feel like I am being healthier when low on time to make my own
Mmm, I’d love to try that Odwalla – I’ve never seen it before! I love finding healthier choices, and these are some great ones. The New Year is the perfect chance to really follow through on all those “good” intentions I’ve had all year!
I’m really trying to eat and drink healthier this year. I have some extra baggage I gained last year and I’d love to lose it this year. It’s affecting me because of increased back pain.
I like your ideas. My focus lately has been to drink more water. Those smoothies look really good too!
Yes, I’m all about the essential oils right now in love, and they work!!!
I have a Jawbone UP and purchased it when they first came out. I still have it, but wearing it drives me nuts because its thick and it bangs on the desk and keyboard sometimes when I am trying to type. I should probably charge it and use it, but I have been eye-balling those Misfits for a while now. I think they look really cool.
Great tips! I need a fitness tracker so badly! It would really help me keep track of how much I really do.
I’ve been working on getting fit. Essential oils are great to use in the bath or massage after a good workout.
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I am determined to be more health-conscious this year. I need all the help I can get. Thanks for sharing.
I’m committing to 30 days of eating clean and exercise!
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We looked at the Misfits when I was shopping for activity bands for Christmas and liked a lot about them. We ended up going with the Garmin Vivosmarts, even with the weekly charging necessity, since they fit our lives better.
I also set goals for each new year. I have recommitted to my fitness and nutrition goals.
I have been working really hard to be healthier this year and so far I am meeting all of my goals!
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These are some great tips. I’ve been trying hard this year not to focus on weight and numbers but about being healthier.
I love me some Simply Orange!! I also love essential oils and have been using them in my home for some time now!
I have always worked out alone in the gym or at home. What was your reason for shifting to a vegetarian diet? It’s fun to learn about more tasty stuff you can try. Have you also tried mixing nuts in smoothies? I love that!
I just had my annual check up and pretty pleased with the result. I just need to stay active and healthy, maybe reduce my sugar / sodium intake
I don’t really do New Year resolutions because I always end up failing on them. But this year, I really aim to clean eat and be healthier. Those smoothies looks great! Want to try those!
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I just started yoga teacher training and that’s my big focus for the year. I’ll be done in July. I love love essential oils.
I host a weekly link up, Living a Life of Fitness Health & Happiness and I would love to have you join us. You can check out last week’s link up here http://jillconyers.com/2016/01/30-delicious-healthy-vegetarian-soup-recipes/
Have an awesome day!
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I used to be a gym junkie, but decided at this stage in my life wasn’t worth the $$. So now I run and workout at home. Honestly, outside of the occasional elliptical withdrawal I don’t even miss it.
I try New Years resolutions but I fall off by half of the year!! I have stepped up my water intake as I struggle with drinking more water!! I love orange juice and I do take my vitamins!!
Your words are exactly my words. I workout at home but that has a downside to it since you lack some motivations sometimes.
I have a few irons in the healthy fire for this year. More than anything I think I just need to make sure I am getting some activity each day and not driving thru anywhere for meals!
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I have been working on getting healthier & actually started BEFORE the holidays! Yeah kinda proud of that & the 35 lbs. I have lost since. Lately I have been working on blog/ biz goals as this year I am hoping will be a BIG year from my BIG goals.
This is an awesome campaign – starting the year off on an optimistic, energetic note to set the tone for success~ 🙂 I totally agree about being healthy (body and mind) in multiple ways, and giving your body what it needs to help meet those goals. Exercise, eating well, and uplifting spirits (e.g. via essential oils) are all key parts of my life. Cheers to a happy and healthy year ahead!
xo,
Lauriel (EyeForElegance.com)
My Sister has the Misfit Shine and she loves it. We have both been working on being healthier in 2016.
One of my goals this year is to eat healthier. Trying my very best to succeed in that goal. I would love to try yoga or meditation too. We’ll see.
I’ve been thinking about one of those fitness trackers or some kind of smart watch. I think it would help me keep track of a lot of important things.
I would love to get into essential oils – a friend of mine just started!
These are indeed great ways to a smart new year by staying active and keep fit. It is so important to stay active by exercising or even just walking daily. The essential oils I have been wanting to start using to help with relaxation and pain from my fibromyalgia.
I was just visiting a friend last week who has an essential oil diffuser – it was awesome. I think I need to get one of those. I also got a fitbit last summer, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many steps I actually take during the day.
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I always have to work hard after the holidays to get healthy again (all of that leftover pie is no help). I love the juices and essential oils. Thanks for the tips!
I walk or I workout at home. I would also like to try juicing.
My main goals are to keep exercising more and eating healthy. Right now I’m on Nutrisystem, so it’s helping me out a lot. I’m hoping to stay on track and keep up with exercising and eating right.
Most of my goals revolve around mental health and taking care of myself first! Not in a selfish way — but taking care of your mind and body is the most important thing and we often neglect it.
Oh, I got to buy some of these products so I can enter to win. Thanks so much for sharing this!
These are some great tips!!! I’m an orange juice junkie… Ever since I was little and Simply Maid is my brand of choice. So yummy!
Love the smoothie and all your goals! I’m trying to get healthier too!
I’ve tried a lot of fruit juice products, but not Odwalla yet. I’ve seen it in the stores, but haven’t picked it up – it looks tempting.
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One of my goals is to generally be healthy this year. I started incorporating more vegetables in our diet and homecooking more.
I haven’t really veered toward the Essential Oils yet but I’m definitely looking into it more. My biggest thing right now is staying track with my fitness goals that I started in August!