YEAR OF HAPPINESS // February Resolution

Is it just me or does it seem like February flew by? Continuing with my YEAR OF HAPPINESS, this last month was all about boosting my energy. I wanted to focus on my physical well-being and I knew there were a couple ways to do that: adjusting my diet, making time for physical activity, and creating a better sleep schedule.

Cook healthier meals

A resolution that’s a tale as old as time. I’m a sucker for carbs, sweets, and good ‘ole comfort food, but those foods don’t really do much for my energy levels. Short-term satisfaction for long-term feelings of sluggishness and bloating. 

So for February, I wanted to whip my diet into shape and start incorporating some healthier options. A couple years ago, I visited a nutritionist and she informed me about a low FODMAP diet which helps manage digestive issues. I don’t have the willpower to stick to a completely low FODMAP diet, but this month I did start incorporating meals under that umbrella into my daily diet. 

Some of my favorite meals and foods that I made this month were hearty salads, carbonara noodles, overnight oats, and berry muffins.  

Complete a 30-day ab challenge

I’m usually pretty good about making an exercise schedule and sticking to it. I’ll map out each day of a month with activities and work outs, looking forward to crossing the days off when I completed the day’s plan. Occasionally I’ll even sprinkle in a 30-day ab challenge, but it’s been quite some time since I had done one of those.

So for February, the month where I was going to boost my energy, I decided to embark on another 30-day ab challenge. I built a plan based off of shape-up posts from Lauren Conrad’s website full of Russian twists, flutter kicks, penguins, and planks. 

I realized that planning a 30-day challenge during February, a month of less than 30 days, was a smidge foolish. That just means that I’d have to finish it up in March, but that’s OK!

Go to bed by 10pm

This one was probably the hardest for me to accomplish. I would definitely describe myself as a night owl and Andrew and I are notorious for starting movies or TV shows late at night, so going to bed early wasn’t usually on my to-do list. Add in working from home and a more confusing sleep schedule, and I’d usually find myself getting in bed around midnight.

I was determined to get some more sleep and I knew that if I wanted that, I needed to force myself to go to bed by 10pm. I also had to be realistic, so I adjusted my plan and decided to make 10pm my bedtime deadline for weeknights. As hard as it was to uphold, I did manage to get in bed by my designated time and for that, I am proud!

Overall, I did feel like my energy was a bit higher in February. I was less tired throughout the day and felt better about my food choices and fitness. On to the next month!