Tomorrow is Another Day, and Year

I always assess my year on New Year's Eve. Highlight the good stuff; analyze the bad stuff, plan for new stuff.

While I'm not thrilled with how this year went, fitness-wise, I do subscribe to the Scarlett O'Hara Philosophy of Life which is "Tomorrow is another day".

And in this case, another year.

Each day that we get up is another day to make positive changes. Or a chance to at least stop doing something negative. A new day, a fresh beginning.

I let a lot of things slip these last six months. A lot of things. Things that I need to re-implement.

And there's no time like today - unless you want to wait until tomorrow.

Yesterday I rode my bike to work and walked Riley. The first real, organized and planned exercise I had in weeks. The holidays are crazy! You get lots of walking when you're shopping, but you're also eating things you might not otherwise eat; at times you don't normally eat, and (possibly) have one more glass of the good stuff than you normally do.

Which is all fine. Life is to be enjoyed. But to be around to enjoy it even longer, those lapses in routine and good judgment need to monitored and tempered a little.

So, I will get up tomorrow with a new plan and new direction. I got a new Wii fitness game to try and some other modifications to my daily routine to implement. Maybe it's all psychological, but I like starting new things or changing my routines on the first of something - first day of the week, month, and, in this case, the year.

So, here's to 2011! A fresh start and a new chance to do all the things I didn't get done last year.

May you all have a blessed and safe new year and may 2011 be all that you want it to be!

Eat Right! Get Your Superfoods!

I know I've run this before, but it bears repeating. The following is from Denise Austin. She runs it pretty regularly herself so it must really be worth reading again.

And trying.

On Sunday morning this past weekend I made my own fruit smoothies. I purchased a bag of frozen mixed mixed berries - red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries - and dumped them in a blender with a large container of plain yogurt (next time I'm going to try vanilla for just a little different flavor combination). Then I added just a little Splenda, which you could do to taste. Hit the button and Viola! smoothies for about 4 days. I divided the pitcher into 4 smaller containers and froze three and ate one. Very good! And simple. I thawed a second one out and ate it yesterday morning before work. So, minimal chemicals or preservatives. Just good, honest, wholesome foods. The same thing would cost about twice as much if you buy the Yoplait brand - and it's the same thing. I know, because I have them in the freezer as well. You can't tell the difference. Save money, eat well, and KNOW what you're putting in your body. Sounds like a winner to me. But here, let Denise tell you.

Looking for a way to get even more bang for your nutritional buck? Try these "superfoods"! They're loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to help you feel great, and they even help fight disease! Incorporate them into your diet today!

Almonds: A source of "good" fat, almonds can help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol!

Berries: They're jammed with vitamins - particularly vitamin C - but new research has found these sweet little sensations to be ace disease fighters too, helping to prevent bladder infections and even cancers, among other illnesses.

Broccoli: Folate, vitamin C, calcium - broccoli is packed with all these awesome nutrients. Now researchers think it might also fight cancer!

Avocado: The large number of calories in a serving of avocado is totally worth it! This source of healthy fat contains a ton of vitamin K and potassium and is also associated with lower cholesterol and even the prevention of breast cancer!

Salmon: Low in calories, easy to prepare, and amazingly good for you - what's not to love about salmon? And the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are great for your heart!
Olive oil: Another good fat! Besides making your food incredibly tasty, olive oil can also protect you from heart disease.

Green tea: So much research has touted the benefits of green tea, it's hard to know where to begin! But here's a sample: A Japanese study in 2006 showed that green tea lowered the risk of death from all causes. How's that for a superfood?

Eat well, live long, and have a wonderful day my friends!