This Year I Will...

Magnets, $12 @ HappyTownUSA

 
Read more, eat less, get organised, take up a new sport... It's that time of the year when we all make resolutions in an attempt to better our lives or better ourselves. Maybe you've already broken a few of the promises you made to yourself on January 1? That's okay, because the good news is, you've got another 350+ days to turn it around.

The best advice I ever got about New Year's Resolutions is this: break it down, keep it simple. Don't just say, "I need to visit my grandparents more" or "I want to start running". It's too broad and too vague. Instead, make it manageable – think about it not as a yearly resolution, but on a week-to-week basis. If you want to visit your grandparents, set aside one day a week and do it – make it a habit. If you want to start running, start with one morning a week, and go from there. It's only one morning a week – there's no room for excuses.

If you rush out of the starting blocks to fast, without thinking about how you're logistically going to maintain your resolution long-term, you'll get tired too fast and you'll fall off the wagon. And when the first day of 2013 rolls around, you'll be resolving all over again to achieve the exact same thing.

And if you're really serious about your resolutions – tell somebody. Having someone on board to help you might just be what you need to get you over the line on December 31.

It's 2012, Y'all!

Hey Look

I love the beginning of a new year. It's a chance to put the past behind you and start fresh. Yes, I know, it's corny – but I'm holding high hopes for the year ahead. And I hope you are, too.

Whether you're hoping to revamp your exercise routine or add a few new dishes to your diet, I hope you'll find at least a little inspiration here...

Too Many Things, Too Little Time.

Bloggidy

 I might have been MIA from this blog the last few weeks (thanks to a sudden bout of sickness and a work overload), but I want to reassure you, I'm not gone. I'll be back to posting regularly... just as soon as I dig myself out from under this pile of post-its!

Feeling Inspired?

Work Is Not A Job

How about now?

Individually Portioned Snacks: Smarter Than Sitting Next To An Open Box

Check out these nifty lunchbox tips from the Wholesome Cook.

What I learned this week at work (well, apart from how to avoid the office feeder, which I really only did with a mediocre success rate) – bring your snacks to work only in the portions you intend to eat them. AND LEAVE THE REST AT HOME.

Because sitting for eight hours next to a giant box of dry Nutri-Grain will see your hand dip into the box for more than one serve. It's inevitable. So exercise your portion control at home and you wont have to worry about your self-control in the office.

Easy peasy.

A New Kind Of Lunge.

It's New Move Monday and today has served up The Decline Lunge with a healthy side of pain. The positive? Buns of steel (hopefully).

Body & Soul

Why? Lunges are great for getting burn in the legs and butt. The decline version goes a step further.

How? With a bench about a metre behind you, stand on your right leg and reach back with your left leg. Place the toes of your left foot on the bench and position your foot so it's vertical. Jump your right foot forward a bit if you feel cramped. Bend your front knee and lower your back knee directly down towards the ground. Aim to get your front thigh horizontal. Don't let your front knee pass in front of your toe. Do all reps on one leg, then switch.

Sets and reps: Do 3 sets of as many reps as you can.

 Don't thank me, thank the folks at Body & Soul.

On The Couch: Four Reasons To Go To The Movies This Month.

Moneyball (out November 10)

There's nothing I love more than an underdog-come-good senario and Brad Pitt's latest offering promises to be just that. The story? Brad stars as the general manager of an Oakland baseball club, who gets his team around a very limited payroll by recruiting using a new, mathematically-based strategy. The result? A bunch of misfits that will (hopefully) come up trumps.

We Need To Talk About Kevin (out November 17)

This adaptation of Lionel Shriver's bestselling novel promises to be just as haunting as the book. Tilda Swinton stars as the mother who lives through every parent's worst nightmare when her teenage boy does the unthinkable – commits mass-murder at his high school. How much of it was her fault? If you haven't read the book yet – do it, now.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (out November 17)

You'd have to be living under a rock to miss all the promotional hoopla for this flick – the first part of the final Twilight instalment. It's got everything – a wedding, a vampire-hybrid baby and Taylor Lautner with his shirt off. It's a must-see, if only so you never have to endure the humiliation of asking your eleven-year-old niece who R-Patz is...

The Ides Of March (out November 24)

Regular readers of this blog will know I've got a (slightly unhealthy) love for Ryan Gosling – but for good reason. The man's not just very easy on the eye, he's got some mad acting skills too. And in this political drama, he's teaming up everyone's favourite silver fox, George Clooney (who also directs). Who wouldn't want to see these two playing dirty?