Why is that? Why is it so hard for people to stick to their guns and make it more than a month before completely giving up on themselves?

Psychology Today poses the question, “You may think you are interested in changing and you very well may be, but are you ready?”

We tend to jump into huge goals that soon overwhelm us and cause us to give up because we weren’t mentally ready for such drastic changes in our lives.

Get Goals Under Control

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It is also easy to get discouraged when we find that the changes we were hoping for aren’t happening as quickly as we had planned. We set unrealistic goals, like losing five pounds every week, and when we hit February we are frustrated that instead of being 20 pounds thinner, we are only down 10 pounds. We forget to rejoice in our small victories and instead focus on the unrealistic goals that we set and didn’t meet.

We set ourselves up for failure. We aren’t ready for the goals we make, we set goals that are unattainable, and then we fail at our goals and give up. To make matters worse, we don’t learn from our mistakes and we do the same thing to ourselves the next year, repeating the process of high hopes and dashed dreams.

How do we end this cycle of self-sabotage?

How to Make (and Keep) a New Year’s Resolution

We start small. If the goal is to be healthier, then we need to do what healthy people do. Speak to your doctor about safe and attainable changes you can make to your lifestyle. If you need to feel immediate gratification, visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning. Start the new year off with little things that help you feel the difference and set proper goals.

If exercise is an important change to you, but you never go to the gym, let alone leave your house, then it might be necessary to start with a walk around your block. There is nothing wrong with beginning simple, in fact, there is everything right about going that route because you’ll be able to keep up with your changes.

Perhaps you want to eat out less. Your first step could be learning quick, easy meals so when those hunger rumbles start you can still opt for a quick and easy route that is already prepared at your home.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be huge to be life-changing. The more manageable they are the more likely you are to succeed. Your new year doesn’t have to start on January first. You can start the new you today with setting simple attainable goals that will keep you moving in the right direction.

The post A New Year, A Healthier You appeared first on InstantELLA.

If you already have a special someone or are looking for a something to do or see with someone you are interested winter is a great time of year for fun and festive date ideas.

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From sleigh rides and winter hikes to fun night activities in Hollywood, California (or wherever you are), there’s something magical for everyone to enjoy.

Here are five fun and festive date ideas to do this winter that will make this time of year the best time of all.

Bake a pie together

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Nothing starts the holiday season more than pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.  Whatever pie is your favorite create a fun evening by getting all the ingredients for your favorite pies together and then make and bake them!

You can even turn it into a fun little competition, and the best part is that you get to enjoy a yummy treat at the end of it, so this date idea is really just a win, win.

Get lost in a corn maze

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Who says you can’t go to a corn maze in the winter? Corn mazes are a super fun date activity in the fall, but in the winter you can find one that’s abandoned and get lost alone with the special someone.

It’s a fun date where you will have to work together to get out of the maze, which is a great way to get to know each other. You can look up some really creative corn mazes in your area that were created by Mazeplay, which are not only fun to walk through but fun to look at as well.

Go on a sleigh ride

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Another fun activity that gives you an excuse to cuddle up to that significant other is a sleigh ride.

Most of the time you can find these downtown or in your city center. Just do a quick search for sleigh rides in your area. Bundle up in warm clothes and snuggle up as you enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride together.

Take a long drive

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Even if the snow has started to fall, a long drive is always a good time with someone you enjoy spending time with.

A great way to get a front-row seat of some beautiful views is to take a drive up into the mountains to check out the snow or drive through a forest. You can even make it more of an adventure by stopping at a few breweries in PA or elsewhere along the way to sample seasonal craft beers and warm up between scenic stops.

Listen to your favorite music, talk and get to know each other better, or just hold hands and take in the peaceful scenery.

Have a cozy night in

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A date doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant or involve a complicated activity, in the winter it can be as simple as simple as cuddling up to a warm fire together and putting on your favorite movie.

Throw in some hot chocolate and a couple of fuzzy blankets and you have a fun, cozy night for two.

While a cozy night in with a movie is wonderfully relaxing, sometimes the perfect date involves stepping out to enjoy exceptional food without the fuss of cooking. Imagine a leisurely Sunday, where someone else handles the preparation, serving up a hearty, traditional meal that warms you from the inside out. For those seeking a truly memorable culinary experience, places like Temper restaurant offer a fantastic Sunday roast, complete with succulent meats, crispy potatoes, and giant Yorkshire puddings. It’s an ideal way to spend quality time together, savoring delicious British produce cooked with a unique, fiery flair. This kind of relaxed, indulgent meal can be just as intimate and enjoyable as a night on the sofa, providing a perfect end to the weekend.

Whether you stay in or dine out, the essence of a great date lies in shared moments and genuine connection. It’s these simple yet meaningful experiences that create lasting memories and deepen your bond.

The post 5 Fun and Festive Date Ideas to Do This Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

However, do remember that it’s okay to treat yourself now and then, as long as it’s in moderation.

Don’t Splurge

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There’s going to be a ton of super good food during your holiday gatherings, but that doesn’t mean that you have to eat it all. Just remember to be mindful while you are eating, eat slowly, and recognize when you start to get full. When are full, or close to it, stop eating. That’s the hardest part – resisting the urge to splurge on all of the good food. If it helps, just pack a plate of leftovers for later that you can enjoy when you’re hungry again.

Bring Food

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This is where that planning comes in. Most people bring at least one dish to their holiday gatherings, so you can use that as an opportunity to bring something healthy (and delicious) that fits within your diet. You might find that others are really appreciative of the healthy choice too. If you can, bring a couple of items that you can keep going back to throughout the day.

Choose Healthier Options

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Besides brings your own food, it’s likely that there will already be some healthier options at the parties as well. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes (not too much though), veggies trays, meats and cheeses, fruits, and salads are all healthier options that tend to make an appearance for large holiday meals. Eat more of the healthy options and moderate the less healthy options.

Have a Treat Day

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Maybe for the big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, you need to have a treat day. If there’s a day when your family or friends are having a get-together, make that you designated treat day to allow yourself some yummy holiday indulgences. Just be sure to reign it in and stick to your diet outside of the treat days that you’ve chosen.

Drink Water

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With all of the drink options available at big gatherings, it’s always best to stick to water – especially if you want to allow yourself more indulgences where food is concerned. Mixed alcoholic drinks, eggnogs, and sparkling beverages tend to have a lot of calories and sugar, so if you choose water instead, you can eat more of the food you enjoy within your diet’s restrictions. Also, drinking plenty of water will help fill you up before you eat too much too and it helps regulate your system as you deter from your standard diet.

Don’t Skip Breakfast

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On the day of a huge feast, make sure you still have a small breakfast or morning snack. If you go to a holiday gathering hungry, you’ll likely eat a lot quicker (and thus more) than your body should have in one sitting. This will help you be more mindful and be able to recognize when you are full, rather than going into full-on binge mode.

Enjoy Yourself

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This is so important! Allow yourself to have a piece of pie or some warm buttery rolls. You should enjoy your time with family, and food can play a huge part of that! Don’t go overboard, but give yourself a little leeway during this time of year.

If you’re concerned about your health through the holidays, you can always ask your family doctor to help you come up with a game plan to make it through without giving up on your endeavors.

The post How To Eat Healthy Through the Holidays appeared first on InstantELLA.

Mini Pizza Pumpkins

Make personal pizzas with your kids. Let them decorate their own pizza like a jack-o-lantern with the toppings. The cheese makes for the perfect pumpkin color. Olives are the perfect topping for the eyes, nose, and mouth. But if your child doesn’t like olives, you can always use another topping.

Find the recipe at Play Party Plan.

Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks

If your kids like string cheese, these are the perfect after school snack for any October day. And they are so simple and quick to put together. If you want to keep the kids busy, have them make the broomsticks themselves. They’re that easy!

Find the recipe at One Little Project.

“Boo”-Nana Pops

Make some frozen “Boo”-nana pops to get excited for Halloween. These spooky treats just take a banana, white chocolate (or vanilla yogurt for a healthier option), chocolate chips and popsicle sticks.

Find the full recipe at Skinny Taste.

Silly Apple Bites

These fun apple bites look like little green monsters. And they make such a great healthy treat! Putting these treats together would be a fantastic activity for a kids’ Halloween party. Just give each kid a plate and their ingredients and let them go to town. They’ll have so much fun and enjoy a healthy snack in the process.

Find the recipe at Fork and Beans.

Grapefruit Jack-o-Lanterns

Carving pumpkins is fun, but can you eat them? Help your kids carve a face into a grapefruit and fill it up with their favorite fruit salad. Snacks are always more fun with faces.

Find the recipe at Say Yes.

Spider Sandwiches

Whether it’s for an afterschool snack, lunch, or a party treat, these spooky spider sandwiches are just the fun healthy treat your kids need to get them in the spirit of Halloween. Make their favorite sandwich, cut it out in a circle, and use pretzels or carrot sticks for the legs.

Find the recipe at Autism Learning Felt.

Healthy “Candy Corn”

Mock up everyone’s favorite Halloween candy with similarly colored fruit with some whipped cream or yogurt on top. One piece of candy on top won’t hurt either. Use fun colors and similarities like this to encourage healthy eating.

Find the recipe at Family Fresh Meals.

The post 7 Healthy Halloween Treats Your Kids Will Love appeared first on InstantELLA.