5 Realistic Resolutions for 2015

 Good-bye 2014.

Hello 2015!

Do you make and keep your New Year resolutions?

 I asked a handful of my friends this exact question and they all said that they have good intentions, but they quit their resolutions after the first or second month. Life gets so busy and working out, eating better, and saving money gets lost in all the craziness.

It’s not just my friends. I think of the first week of the year as the ‘annual double attendance week at the gym’. So many people with such good intentions…but it only lasts a week or two.

In order for my family and I to stay motivated and have success though out the year, we pick an annual family theme or quote.  It can be funny, spiritual, or just as simple as one word.

Instead of writing;

My 2015 resolution

Try something more exciting;

The goal is growth, not perfection

Re-New 2015

This will be the best year yet

YOLO

After we pick the theme of the year we write it down on paper or a white board.  I put it in a room that I  spend a lot of time in. Such as: my laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, or next to my bed so I see it when I get up.  It really keeps me motivated throughout the year.

I read this quote recently and I loved it.

Today’s multiple choice:

Busy is a choice

Stress is s choice

Joy is a choice

Choose well.

  I feel I don’t choose well all the time and I WANT to choose better this coming year.  This quote helped me come up with ways to set better goals and resolutions for 2015.

 5 Realistic Resolutions for 2015

1. Live in the moment

This summer we wanted to take our kids to some national parks because we live close to Las Vegas and we wanted a change of scenery.  We started our journey in Mammoth, California.  There was fighting all along the way but then there were the quiet moments like this that made me fall in love with my life and family all over again.

 Don’t wish you were somewhere else when you are right where you are supposed to be.

Living in the moment can be really hard when you are going through big trials in life. This past year has been very hard for some of my loved ones. But they have all impressed me with how they have triumphed during their hard times by having a positive outlook on life even in their darkest hours.  A simple smile from a stranger or a hug from their child made them feel everything was going to be okay.

Living in the moment doesn’t have to be a vacation or event.  It can be as simple as playing a game with a family member, reading a story to a child, laughing with your girlfriends, or just listening to your child tell you how their day was.   It’s the little things that count.

 2. Stop complaining 

This one is soooo good for me.

 I complain about how much I have to clean, work, drive my kids around, and oh, so much more.

I know come January 1st I am going to be regretting this decision but I have to stop complaining.

I am going to get in trouble for this story but here it goes.

I have a confession…

I don’t love Disneyland.  We live pretty close to the happiest place on the earth and I try to avoid it like the plague.  For my birthday last year some of my friends talked me into going on my actual birthday.  I agreed to the torture and I complained for a month before we went.  But, when I got there and I saw how happy my children were, I had a change of heart like the Grinch and I loved every moment of it.   My girlfriend even bought me my first Mickey mouse ears.

 All that complaining was for nothing.

3.  Save money

Do you have a cash stash?

I do and it has come in handy for a lot of good times and a lot of bad times.

  I use it for rainy days, vacations,  girls nights with my daughters or friends, babysitters, friends or family in need, or when we forget to pay a bill or two.   I like to set aside money each pay check.  It really can add up.  If you make more money set aside more; if you make less, do whatever you can afford.  You don’t even have to spend this money.  This could be a fund that is never to be touched unless it is completely necessary.  It is totally up to you.   Just have something.

4.  Make working out fun

 Go to your high school track and take your family or friends and race each other.  Walk to a park, do yoga with friends, go rock climb or  sledding.  Do a couple of activities a week.

It isn’t about looking better then your friend.  It’s about feeling good about yourself.

  We are all so different.  Set a realistic work out goal and stick to it.  If 2-3 days a week works for you then make it happen.  I love including my kids.  They need it as much as we do. Teach them while they are young so it is instilled in them when they are older.

5. Eat better

 I love all food so I have come up with a plan for myself.  This might not necessarily work for you.  But you can try it and let me know what you think.

I eat healthy Monday-Thursday and on the weekend if I want a little treat I don’t feel guilty.  I don’t go crazy with sweets on the weekend but I don’t think that there is anything wrong with a little sugar every now and then.

I always like to have fruits and vegetables in my house so I can have a easy quick snack for my kids and me.

I love taking my family to farmers markets in the summer so they can pick out their own food and help me prepare their dinner.  This is so much fun.

 You don’t always have to eat salads.  I love a good chicken or shrimp kabob with pineapple and veggies.

 Once you start to eat better you will feel better.

Now lets break it down.

MORE | LESS

              LIVING | REGRETTING

 ENCOURAGING | COMPLAINING

        SAVING | SPENDING

WORKING OUT | BEING LAZY

FRUITS AND VEGGIES | CHIPS AND SODA

   Now pick one or two of these realistic New Years resolutions and try it out for the whole year.  Yes, you heard me right ALL of 2015.

Just remember to breathe and really let yourself enjoy the ride this year.

Thank you for all your comments and support this past year.

Happy New Year!