With 2020 approaching, many of us are preparing ourselves for new year resolutions. Among the hundreds I could mention, I think the most popular is always: lose weight.
Losing those few pounds that have piled on over the last few months–or even the last few years–is tough. They always seem to stay put, and just like Ricky Martin and Ricardo Arjona sing, that unlost weight becomes “asignatura pendiente.”
Promising to lose weight should not be the ultimate goal, though. The real resolution should be adapting to a new lifestyle, for both yourself and your family. It should be to make a change that makes you feel good, improves your daily life, and makes you healthier. Then, as result, you’ll lose those pesky pounds.
Try making these lifestyle changes for your New Year’s resolution:
Cook at home at least 4 out of 7 days in a week. Make sure you use fresh, good quality ingredients. Don’t forget your veggies, and always remember that the kitchen keeps the family together without social media and distractions, especially during dinner.
Exercise 3-4 times a week. If it’s hard to make time during the week, try exercising 1 day out of the week and then on the weekend. Take part in more activities that require physical exercise, like sports, outdoor events, or even dance classes.
Limit your rice and beans. Now, I didn’t say cut them out. The idea is to keep a balance, not say goodbye to the foods we like completely. Try cooking rice only once a week, and you can add beans to salads and soups.
Avoid everything processed. Sometimes, extra weight is caused by excess salt and preservatives that’s put into our food. Stay away from canned/jarred foods, and don’t eat anything from fast food restaurants and commercial chains.
Replace mashed potatoes and plantains with mashed cauliflower or carrots. If you do make mashed potatoes, try using sweet potatoes instead and use low-fat milk or olive oil instead of heavy cream. To add some more veggies to your mash, add green peas, broccoli or carrots. As a bonus, your dish will look prettier and have more flavor and texture.
Instead of eating pasta, buy that handy tool that carves vegetables into pasta. Just take 3 minutes to cut your veggies and another 3 minutes to cook them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you want, add some garlic for a little extra flavor. Then, add some sauce and any protein you like. However, be sure to stay away from sauces that come in a jar. Try making fresh sauce instead.
Brussels sprouts promise to remain fashionable in 2020. We already know that roasted brussels sprouts are delicious, but you can also grate them to turn them into a cold salad.
Oatmeal and oat milk. Both also seem to be part of the “star ingredients of 2020.” You can prepare most recipes with both ingredients, but make sure to buy good quality and unsweetened products. If they’re organic, even better.
Leave desserts and bread as a once-a-month reward. And leave sodas and processed juices as a thing of the past. Instead, prepare fresh juices yourself. If you don’t have a juicer, maybe it’s not too late to ask Santa. You can also make aguas frescas by combining fruit and water in a blender.
I hope this helps, and I wish you a tasty 2020 full of good vibes and happiness!
