This year I’ve decided to make some major lifestyle changes in an attempt to live a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. I’ve decided not to do resolutions, since resolutions are normally doomed to fail. Instead I’ve decided to just build off of things that I had already started doing last year. Last year is the year I started running. Last year is the year I started looking more into clean eating and buying local food. At the end of last year I discovered oil pulling and essential oils. While last year was a year of discovery and research this year is going to be my year of putting these things into action. I’ll be posting about the things I’m doing to live a healthier lifestyle to help keep myself accountable.
Working Out
This week I worked out 4 days. I ran 5k on the treadmill 3 of those days. Each day I ran 5k I’ve improved my time. I would love to be able to run 10 minute miles or less. Right now I’m averaging around 11 to 11 1/2 minutes per mile on average. The other day I went to the gym I worked on weight training and 10 minutes on the bike. The main problem I’m having with going to the gym is trying to figure out where I want my focus to be. I know I want to be a faster runner and work on running longer distances. But I also want to work on toning. I’m starting to feel a little lost and like I need to talk to a trainer to get me on a training schedule.
Eating Healthy
I think this is the area where I need the most work. Mainly because of my love for sweets. There I said it. My name is Cyndi and I have a huge sweet tooth that I can’t seem to kick. That said I feel like I’ve done pretty well this week. I cut WAY back on my soda intake last year. So far this year I haven’t had a soda since my rum and cokes (yes multiple, it was quite a NYE lol) on New Year’s Eve. I’ve been really good this week about making sure I’m drinking plenty of water and really that’s about all I’ve been drinking. As far as meals go I’ve been trying to cook healthier meals. Friday night I made a delicious quinoa brocoli and cheese casserole. It was light and healthy and the kids loved it. The problem came today when we had teacher training at church accompanied by lots of sweets brought in by volunteers. I had one cookie during the training. Not too bad. Well when the training was over I took the leftover goodies and sat them on a table where my husband was sitting. My friend walked by us and jokingly said, “You all are taking all of that home.” I wanted to make sure to leave the stuff at church for everyone else to munch on throughout the week. But no, while I was getting the kids my husband took her serious and loaded everything up in the car. So now I have brownie bites, donut holes and mini cupcakes in my kitchen. Argh! Anyone want to take these off my hands?!
Oils
Right before Christmas I was introduced to essential oils by some wonderful friends. I’ve known about essential oils and always wanted to learn more about them. And boy have I ever got my wish! So here are the oils I have been using this week and how I’ve been using them:
Thieves oil:
I’ve been diffusing thieves oil in anticipation of my kids going back to school to try to help build our immune systems so hopefully we won’t be catching every bug and cold that they come in contact with. I’ll keep you all posted on how this goes.
Frankincense:
My 3 year old has had a small wart on his hand for months that has been stubborn and not wanting to go away with the wart treatments we’ve got from the store. I’ve been putting a drop of Frankincense on his wart 2 times a day for about a week and have already started to notice it’s getting smaller. I will also keep you posted on how this goes.
Peace and Calming and Lavender:
I’ve been diffusing Peace and Calming and sometimes Lavender to help us wind down at night and sleep better. I also rub a little peace and calming on my sons feet before bedtime to help settle him down. This has been working wonders.
So far these have been my favorite oils this week. I’ll keep you all posted on the other oils as I start using them more. If anyone is interested in learning more about essential oils let me know. Or if you have any tips about using oils feel free to post them here.
I’ve heard about oils but haven’t ever used them myself. I’ll have to do a little research on them myself – thanks for the reminder.
Great article!!! I like the oil you are using to strengthen the immune system ..
Im in love with oils & the different smells they have, But eating healthy is always the way to go
Congrats on getting healthier. I gave up soda years ago. Just one can has over 100 calories in it. If you drink 5 a day that’s over 500 calories. I didn’t drink diet. I can’t stand that stuff. And the calicoes isn’t why I gave it up. I just got sick of it. I drink mostly water. However, every now and then, typically when it’s scorching hot out, I’ll drink a soda or two.
Progress takes time. Our family has taken years to mostly do some of the things you mentioned. We are still working on others, I lice EOs!
Sounds like you have a great plan in place to start living a healthier lifestyle. I love lavender oils. I have insomnia and lavender has really helped me shut down at night. Keep it up with the working out and the menu planning!
I like your approach and have sworn off rigid resolutions too. It’s best to just do it and keep it up. Less guilt, more done.
Elizabeth
I do not make resolutions again, i make goals, and those goals are attainable. Press on!
How do you use the Thieves oil to help with colds/flus?
I’ve never tried Quinao (it’s sorta… weird looking and I’m not sure my texture issues could handle it!) but perhaps I should give it a try?
Quinoa is really kind of like rice. It has the same kind of texture depending on how it’s cooked and kind of tastes like rice. But it’s super healthy. There’s a lot of ways to cook with quinoa. I think the key is just to find a recipe that sounds good to you and go with it. And the thieves oil mixture has antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral properties that are supposed to help boost immunity and kill airborne bacteria. I have an oil diffuser that I run with thieves oil in it. I’ve honestly thought about getting my daughter’s teacher an oil diffuser for her classroom and some thieves oil!
Great tips. Thanks for sharing
Congrats on a great start to the year! I have been doing really well with eating well, but I can’t seem to make time for exercise. I need to work harder on it!
I have a wart, first one ever, and guess what I am buying tomorrow? Frankincense oil! I have had it for weeks and the stuff I got from the store just doesn’t seem to be working. Thank you!
I hope it works out for you. Another oil that is supposed to be good for warts in lemon oil.
I know I need to eat healthy and exercise as well. It’s so hard to get started and I just don’t have the motivation I need.. yet… but I know I will again. I’ve started and stopped so many times.
As for the essential oils, that sounds really interesting. I would love to try those as well.. I’ll have to look into it
Congrats girl! Though I kinda eat clean now, I still need to make time to workout. I have to a sweet tooth as well and thats why it’s hard for me to go on diet at all! But kudos to you for making that far 🙂
Sounds like you have your plan figured out. Now comes the hard part of making it work. Just go for it and the prize will be yours!
I can’t believe you had to take all those treats home. Oh, the temptation!
I’m a soap maker and I love good oils. It makes good soap and my work shop always smells good.
I’m a huge fan of natural oils. I’ve never heard this but will definitely be looking into it!
I have been using Lavender oil to calm my youngest down every time he suffers from anxiety & also when he goes to sleep. I can’t imagine not having Lavender oil in the house 🙂
I have a friend who sales oils and I think they are interesting! I’m trying to get into healthy living too! I’ve been working on the working out and eating right!
I love essential oils. I use them for everything. I hate using pills
That casserole looks so tasty! I love broccoli