It’s a New Year and A New Beginning

It’s a New Year and A New Beginning

Song: ‘Here Comes the Sun’ – The Beatles https://youtu.be/KQetemT1sWc?si=Nt_O8v9ok4w_4wep

I am glad the SILLY SEASON is over, I feel for myself it started in October when I went to South Africa. By the time I got back in November Christmas festivities had began. Glorious food was abundant at every social event and I still hadn’t worked off the extra kilos I gained on holidays. Add to that New Year festivities, school holidays with grand kids and a few short get aways, I am ready to lose those too many extra kilos.

Modern life can lead us to quickly gaining unwanted kilos if we are not careful and being CONSISTENT with healthy food choices and exercise.

• Travel at home and overseas brings opportunities to over indulge in different foods in new locations.
• A variety of delicious foods and pastries from all cultures that are often high in fat and calories are available in most suburbs and local eateries.
• Social events with family and friends mostly involve food.
• Busy lifestyles that often lead to fast food and ultra processed food choices.

I told myself ‘Its time to get back on track’ and that is what I am doing. I started yesterday with a one hour cardio and weights work out. I made a chick pea, spinach and broccoli salad, cleaned out my fridge and pantry and threw out anything that resembled comfort food. ( That meant short bread and chocolate coated treats )

I am now back in the mind set and ready to be CONSISTENT with DEBS- Diet, Exercise, Balance and Stress management.

However, I am about to go to Tuncurry with the grand children. I told them we are calling it a ‘health retreat week’ and each day they can choose an exercise activity and a healthy meal for us all to share. That the plan!!

So these pictures tell the story. We managed a healthy week. Lots of exercise, healthy food and great fun !

2025 is the beginning of a ne;w chapter for myself. I have been helping out with minding grand children for eleven years and in February my youngest grand daughter starts school. So I will have some days to fill in and no reasons not to be consistent with looking after my total well being.

I will however, always continue in my role as an ‘active grandparent’. Some benefits include:

• Slows aging process
• Promotes physical health.
• Promotes mental health.
• Strengthens relationships between children and grandparents.
• Creates lifetime memories.

For my Cognitive health I will continue research for my blog topics, I am going to learn a language (Ukrainian), and learn to play the keyboard. I will continue to be involved in ‘Food for the Brain’ -Blog dated October 2024. A reminder that you can do a free cognitive function test by going to https;//foodforthebrain.org.

To keep physically fit I will continue to do regular walks with friends, use You Tube for cardio and strength training and use my rebounder. You Tube has plenty of fitness and rebounder workouts for seniors and all levels of fitness. I recently started to play pickle ball and plan to continue playing as part of my regular fitness routine.

For my overall health I will be eating more plant based foods, cook whole foods at home and minimise processed foods. I was given a book I had suggested as a Christmas present called ‘Scrappy Cooking’ by Carleigh Bodrug. The book contains recipes to minimise waste and ways to use up many foods items that often are discarded as rubbish. Less waste in landfill helps contribute to minimising our carbon foot print and is good for the household budget.

Below is a link of an interview with the author Carleigh Bodrug from ‘Zoe’ Podcast and YouTube channel – Science and Nutrition .https://youtu.be/LHQoCAkQalE?si=Y-hqeJ9JgX6pizes

So this year I plan to be happily busy, keep connected with my family and friends and look after myself as I continue to work towards living a long, healthy life on my centenarian journey.

If you, like me have slipped a bit on your health journey just get back on track its never too late. Let me know in the comments below or on face book your plans and goals for a healthy, happy New Year.

Till next time- ‘Keep on Rocking and Rolling ‘

Kim