In yesterday’s post, I talked about some changes I want to make on this blog in the coming year. These include placing more focus on food and officially scaling back from my self-imposed (and not always achieved) 5-day-a-week posting schedule. As I alluded to, the reasons for that are both practical and personal.
Self-care intentions

I try to practice what I preach recommend, and one thing I regularly recommend is good self-care. I’m embarrassed to say my self-care has been spotty at best. Ever since I went back to school in 2009, I’ve not been one to say “no” to any interesting opportunity that comes my way. I’ve learned that I need to start being more selective in order to create time to do some of the things that used to bring me joy before they got shelved in 2009 (like reading for pleasure, bellydance and sewing).

Last year, I finally learned to meditate, but my practice faltered as soon as I started my new job. I felt the positive effects of meditation when I was doing it, and now I keenly feel their loss. This is my plan:
  • Limit evening obligations to two per week, maximum.
  • Avoid working on computers or devices in the evening as much as possible.
  • Lights out and head on the pillow eight to nine hours before my alarm is set to go off.
  • Reboot my meditation practice (I started using the Headspace app…which I will report on later).
  • Enjoy one long hot bath each week (so simple, but I haven’t been doing it!).
Fitness intentions

My fitness routine has been a little haphazard. Ironically, I find that days I end up working from home are the worst because my day’s structure is looser. I’m ready for that to change, and after a few years of extreme difficulty enjoying weight lifting, I’m again finding the joy in it, which means it’s time to push myself a little harder. I’ve been loving yoga, and want to do more of it. Here’s what I’m thinking:

  • Strength training 4x week.
  • Yoga 5x week (four short sessions, one longer weekend session).
  • Two long walks on the weekend with my husband and/or dog.
  • Walk as part of my commute on weekdays.
  • Do at least one bellydance DVD each week.
Food intentions

Finally…food. I want to cook more. I love to cook, unless it feels like just one more thing on my to-do list. I’m ready to make it a priority again, and am working on structuring my life to make it possible, by freeing up some time and simply getting more organized. My first food focus of 2015 is vegetables. I eat a lot of them, but I want to eat more of them…and I want to get out of the preparation rut I’m in (basically roasted veg and raw salads). Good thing I have a lot of cookbooks for inspiration ;-)

  • Devote a few hours on Sunday to advance food prep (or more, if I’m so moved).
  • Do actual menu planning (1-2 weeks at a time)
  • When meal planning, think veggies first! (i.e., focus on new ways to prepare them).
  • Crack open my cookbooks! (I’ll have a whole post on this next week.)
  • No snacking before dinner (unless it’s a tiny snack to take the edge off ravenous hunger).
This looks like a lot, but I feel like it’s doable. I also believe in progress, not perfection, and progress in many of these areas will be a huge benefit to me.
What about you? Do you have any nutrition- or food-related intentions for 2015?