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30 Days to Your Best Year Ever

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

How are you keeping up with those New years Resolutions?

2012 is off to a great start

So far, I am happy to report, I have been doing relatively well on my goal to attain more balance in my life (although I admit I’ve been swinging my balance farther toward family time and rest than I have toward work…). 2012 is off to an amazing start.

The main thing I’ve been working on this week? Spending more quality, relaxed time with my kids and cooking real food for dinner every night.

On Saturday, I made my family Basil Chicken Salad Wraps using Tyson® Grilled & Ready® chicken strips. Oh. My. Goodness. My mouth is salivating just thinking about how amazing they were! The recipe was so incredible that I shared it on my blog that night.

The best part about our dinner was my husband’s reaction, though. He knew that I was getting “something frozen” from the grocery store, and he turned his nose up, proclaiming to the kids that he wasn’t going to eat the frozen dinner. I lured him up to the kitchen after I was finished making the chicken wraps and he saw that THIS meal was anything BUT frozen.

He had thirds.

Stay on track with your goals in 2012!


Tyson Foods and Hungry Girl have teamed up to coach women through the next month via the recently launched “30 Days, 30 Ways, 30 Rewards.” 

As of January 2, you can visit www.30days30ways30rewards.com for everything you’ll need to get on track and stay on track all year long. 

Each day that you visit the site during January, you’ll find three ways to balance an active lifestyle: a nutritious and quick recipe (with fewer than 500 calories), a clever tip (including some from Lisa Lillien, aka Hungry Girl) and a chance to win a health-themed prize.

So far, the tips provided have been so helpful:

Day 1: Eat before your workout

Day 2: Surround yourself with happiness

Day 3: Lighter weights, same benefits

Day 4: Find better-for-you swaps

Day 5: Set mini-goals for yourself

Day 6: One step to a sculpted core

I’m excited to see the tips for the rest of the month.

Enter to win!


Tyson and 5 Minutes for Mom is offering a giveaway for a free bag of Tyson® Grilled & Ready® products as well as Hungry Girl’s new book, Hungry Girl Supermarket Survival Aisle by Aisle HG-Style!

To enter, leave a comment below with your favorite tip on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions.

This giveaway ends January 23rd and a winner will be chosen by random.org and announced the next Sunday in Around The Blogosphere. Please see our site’s terms and conditions for more information.

Disclosure: Tyson provided me with the book and a coupon for a free bag of Tyson chicken for review, but the thoughts and experiences expressed here are my own.

Written by 5 Minutes for Mom managing editor, Lolli. You can find me blogging at Better in Bulk and tweeting at @1momof5.




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225 Comments

  2. I use my fitbit to reach my fitness goals, and know that if I reach them, I’ll get a huge reward, like a sweet vacation!

    Reply

  10. Don’t start off expecting perfection – there will be slip ups. Get over them and move on with the plan.

    Reply

  11. My tip to keep new years resolution is to keep it written down & pin’d to the Icebox!
    Front & center reminder…that I see everytime I open the Icebox!

    Reply

  12. Treat everyday as if it is a new year! If you mess up and eat those three Oreos, forgive yourself and just make sure you stay on track the rest of the day! Surround yourself with those who will help you reach your resolution goals, no matter what they may be!

    Reply

  13. My tip is, find your motivator, write it down, hang it on the fridge, or wherever you need it to be reminded of whatever your resolution is. This will help keep on track with your goals.

    Reply

  15. My best tip is to start it as soon as possible so you don’t get lazy and keep putting it off.
    cmarquez482(at)ymail(dot)com

    Reply

  17. Make small resolutions through out the year, so there is not too much pressure in the beginning of the year. Thanks!!

    Reply

  19. I don’t expect perfection from the moment the ball drops. My resolutions are a goal of where I want to be by the end of the year, so if I slip up a day or two, I just get right back on track and keep going. That helps me not give up.

    Reply

  23. I share my resolutions with my family, so I am accountable to them for my success or failure.

    dwellenstein at cox dot net

    Reply

  24. My tip is to write down your goal and steps needed to attain it in a journal. This keeps you focused on your goal.

    Reply

  28. I have made sure that my goals are attainable and within reach! As long as I know that I CAN achieve these goals, it is easy to stick to them!

    Reply

  29. I set realistic goals and am not to hard on myself if I don’t reach them. I just keep them in sight and try to do better in the future. Thank you!

    Reply

  31. I think its important to remember the quote “A year from now, you’ll wish you had started a year ago.” It reminds me to be mindful and stick to it. It can only get easier!

    Reply

  32. i try to stay positive and focused on my goals daily. When I wake up, I remind myself of my goal and when I go to bed, I do another reminder. thanks clallen at ntin dot net

    Reply

  35. I think setting small goals makes it easier because you’ll obtain them quicker and get motivation to carry on.

    Reply

  38. My favorite tip is just not letting myself get hungry, eating small meals here and there so I don’t become ravenous. It makes portion control much simpler!

    Reply

  42. Favorite tip on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions. I plan on keeping my resolution by cutting back my portion size while still enjoying a sensible meal and exercising at least 1/2 hour everyday.

    Reply

  45. resolutions have to be attainable. While it sounds so spectacular to reach for the moon, you have to know yourself and have a reasonable and reachable goal otherwise the resolutions get easily shrugged off as undoable.

    Reply

  49. start with goal that is easily reached that way you c an succeed and then set a new one
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    Reply

  50. I’ve always heard that the best way to keep a New Years resolution is not make one. Seriously any commitment should be made when your in the right frame of mind and not based on the time of year. Thanks for a great giveaway!

    Reply

  53. Share your goals with a friend – or better yet, a group of people who are all motivated to achieve the same goal. Not only will you push each other to stick to your resolution (and feel that twinge of guilt when you don’t stick to it) and have people to share your successes and failures with.

    Reply

  59. Post-Its here, there & everywhere! They are gentle little reminders for me until my resolution becomes habit 😉

    Reply

  65. Have healthy options that are easy to grab so you don’t eat other foods.

    Remember small changes add up to big results!

    Reply

  66. I learned that I need to be realistic in my goals… I didn’t put the extra weight on overnight and it is not going to come off overnight !!!

    Reply

  69. Allow yourself a few lapses, acknowledge from the start that you might fall off the resolution wagon and are allowed to climb back on the next day or the next week.

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  71. Don’t set goals that are impossible to achive. Set realistic goals that can be accomplished and take it one step at a time.

    Reply

  74. I think realistic achievable goals are important. I tend to give up if I have to work too hard or change too much. Baby steps!

    Reply

  77. Writing it down and keeping track always helps me. This year I’m trying to lose baby weight, so I write down what I eat and it keeps me on track.

    Reply

  78. dont pick anything too big or crazy. set your goals small and then once you hit them keep building. like a new years resolution to lose 10lbs by summer. if you hit 10lbs in april then say “ok 10lbs to summer” and just keep going. that way it doesnt seem so impossible or scary!

    Reply

  80. It is important to be realistic about your resolutions and have a plan that is reachable, measurable and flexible and avoid “everyday” or “never again” (unless it is a medical or addiction issue).

    Reply

  82. My biggest tip to keeping up with your New Year’s resolution is telling people about it. The more people you tell…the more likely you are to feel like you have to stick to it!

    Reply

  83. Best tip: don’t be so overly strict that you don’t allow for mistakes. Learn from them but don’t beat yourself up! When it comes to food, enjoy whatever you’re eating so it’s worth it! I know this works because it’s been 6 yrs and I’ve kept the 40 lbs off and am maintaining my weight! Just keep moving and lift weights. 🙂

    annae07 at aol dot com

    Reply

  85. My best tip is to not make a resolution but to make a plan instead. If you have a roadmap, you’re more likely to get there.

    Reply

  86. The best tip is to not make a resolution that is so overwhelming that you can never live up to it. Keep it simple but effective

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    Reply

  87. The bast way is to be reasonable and realistic when you make a resolution. That way it’s easier to keep.

    Reply

  91. Last year I was able to keep my New Year Resolution of losing weight by using the Lose It app on my ipod to count my calories and stay on track.

    Reply

  93. Start off by making small goals and work up from there. Every little victory will make your resolution a little easier.

    Reply

  98. My resolution was to get closer to God. Less time on the computer or in front of the tv would free up my time to pray. So I guess making time for whatever you resolve to do is important.

    Reply

  99. I think that the best tip is to just never give up. Yeah, I didn’t feel like working out yesterday so I didn’t. But today, I’m going to do it. And tomorrow.

    Reply

  100. I try to wake up every day and think about what i would like to acomplish for the day and pray for the strenght and resolution to accomplish my goals.

    Reply

  103. Get the whole family involved!! My husband, 11 year old daughter and myself recently joined the local gym. We go as a family and keep each other motivated throughout. It’s also a great way to catch up on family time when life gets a bit busy.

    Reply

  104. Write it down! Keep yourself accountable. If you are trying to watch what you eat, literally watch it! When you write down what you eat, you will be amazed at how hard it is to have to write down that you ate an entire bag of M&Ms, versus a whole bag of baby carrots. And sometimes it just feels good to vent, to write what’s going good, and maybe what’s going bad too!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

    Reply

  109. On the 1st i spend 30 mins making nicely decorated signs for myself and post
    them around the house… they maybe the resolution itself, encouraging words and gentle reminders.. it makes me think twice if I am having a week moment

    Reply

  114. My goal is lose 20 pounds this year so I will track my progress by weekly weigh ins and if I fall behind in my goal then I will workout an extra day in the next week to get back on track

    Reply

  115. my resolution is to lose weight. I have a jar of colorful marbles that represent .1 pound each. I take out accordingly each time I weigh. My sons have a joke that Mom is “losing her marbles!” 🙂

    Reply

  117. My goal this year was to be more mindful of our budget so just taking a minute before I make that purchase to decide is it something that we really need or not. I have put many things back that we did not need rather then just running up to the cash register to pay.

    Reply

  121. mine is to get fit and healthy so i just start early in the morning and usually that helps to keep it up all day. get it out of the way!

    Reply

  123. I think the best way to keep your new year’s resolutions is to be honest with yourself about what you can realistically accomplish.

    Reply

  124. The best advice I’ve seen for making a resolution (or a general new habit) was from ZenHabits.com: Set detailed and specific goals, avoiding vague expectations or accountability.

    Also, only concentrate on one goal at a time, overloading yourself with too many resolutions and drastic changes all at once isn’t good for staying power!

    Reply

  125. I make my resolutions into smaller, more palatable pieces. For example, thirty pounds to lose is a lot – I make it five, then five, then five, etc. It doesn’t seem like such a monumental task if I break it up!

    Reply

  127. It helps me to have things written down & to make charts! It is also a great help to involve others so I have some personal cheerleaders!!

    Reply

  129. Set one goal and work everyday to maintain or achieve it. Make sure your goal is realistic. Once you have reached to maintained your goal you can set another, no matter what time of year it is.

    Reply

  130. Set up a reward system for successfully following through on your goals/resolutions. For example, you might resolve to treat yourself to a Starbucks coffee if you walk daily for one month. That way you have something to look forward to after working hard towards a goal.

    Reply

  131. Track/log everything you eat. This way you are aware and accountable. You can see where your downfalls are and your energy lulls are and plan for them and change your eating habits accordingly. It helps me tremendously!!!! 😉

    Reply

  137. I don’t make resolutions but I’m definitely on a quest to be healthier by eating better. I’ve lost about 75 lbs in the past year!

    Reply

  142. My tip is to include your family. One of my goals is to be more active, so we’ve been taking walks as a family. It makes it much more fun!

    Reply

  145. don’t think about it as a resolution but more as a goal – so you will stay more motivated

    Reply

  146. When I set my goals, I do it early so that I have time to think it over. It has to seem attainable, not far-fetched like losing 20lbs/month or learning everything about physics…well that year, but ever, really. 😀 Then, I find a way to dipict my life after reaching my goal and keep it visible all the time. When I decided to lose weight, I was 220…I hung a picture of a lady that was just a little thinner…each time I reached her weight, I’d hang a new picture of someone slightly smaller than me.

    Reply

  151. I keep my resolutions reasonable – like trying to lose 5 pounds every 3 months…..even doing that would get me 20lbs down by the end of the year!

    Reply

  152. My tip on how to keep My New Years Resolution is not to let any junk food in the house..My Resolution is to eat healthier & get back to my prebaby weight!!

    Reply

  157. My best tip is to make resolutions that benefit others, not just yourself necessarily….they’re easier to keep when others are benefitting!

    Reply

  159. be strong, be determined,be honest, and keep your willpower-if not you only cheat yourself and sometimes even your family

    Reply

  161. Don’t make em! Ha. I just try to let the new year be a reminder of what direction I’d like to head in life, and serve as a fresh start.

    Reply

  166. My best tip is not to set your goal so high,start with a lower goal that is more easy to get too then set your self another after that
    vlbelk(at)hotmail.com

    Reply

  174. I have a friend who makes one new resolution each MONTH. I love it because it supposedly takes about 30 days to build a habit and it’s not nearly as overwhelming to focus on one new thing each month!

    Reply

  176. Tips I don’t have, because I don’t make resolutions. I prefer to take each day one at a time and strive to make life better each and everyday.

    Reply

  184. The way I keep my New Year’s resolutions is I have a note on my ref each morning that lets me know that I am on diet this year and it is working for me. I want to thank you for this fantastic sweep and hope to win 🙂

    Reply

  189. It takes 28 days for something to be a habit so powering through January will make it a reality! momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

    Reply

  192. The best way to keep resolutions is to have accountability! Let others know your goals and tell them you’ll keep them updated. 🙂 That usually helps. 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  196. Hubby and I are walking every night on the way home from work. The important thing is to do it before we get home, because once we get in the house, that’s it!

    Reply

  197. Best tip – have a resolution you’re passionate about – will help you stay motivated.
    Thank you.
    barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com

    Reply

  201. my tip is to journal everything u eat, if u have a habit of over eating. it helps your stay in control and accountable of yourself.

    kadia3 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  208. To help you keep your New Year’s Resolutions, write them down as well as the reasons why you want to keep them

    Reply

  209. My resolution is also to cook real food for my family and to have sit down traditional dinners with placemats and all! We started just after Christmas and did very while for the holiday break until the over blew out… back to the microwave until we get the oven fixed!

    Reply

  211. I’m going to drink more water and walk the steps instead of taking the elevator as much as possible – especially if its only a floor or look for the “furthest” parking spot to pick up a few more steps instead of driving around looking for the closest spot. Hey every little bit will help

    Reply

  213. I always make sure I write in my journal my daily progress of goals this ensure that I keep it in my mind and I am always focused

    Reply

  215. My best tip is to set achievable, realitic goals. If you reach too far and don’t make the finish line, it’s too easy to say “I can’t do it”. Then you won’t!

    Reply

  217. I like to keep inspirational quotes around (like on post-it notes) on places where they will remind me of why I’m working on this goal/resolution. Sometimes I’m overly critical of my appearance, so I’ll put a quote on the bathroom mirror so that I’ll see it when I’m getting ready for the day.

    Reply

  218. Don’t let a “failure” make you throw in the towel. You’ve still got the rest of the year. Just dust that off and keep going!

    Reply

  221. My favorite tip is to make a very specific new year’s resolution that you can quantify. My new year’s resolution is to cook 4 dinners a week at home from scratch, not just to eat healthier.

    Reply