Shanna's Kitchen: Let's get healthy in 2014

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

The new year is all about making goals and changes, dreaming big. Whether that dream be winning a dancing, singing chili pepper from a radio contest or getting that big promotion, now's the time.

The most common New Year’s resolution is to be healthier. Diet, exercise, weight loss, mental health, spiritual health: People strive to be healthier in all aspects of life.

One way that I am striving to be healthier in 2014 is through weight loss. They, whoever they are, say that if you make a goal, you should share it with friends and family so they may help keep you accountable.

Since setting out on my post-college adult life, I have made some not-so-healthy eating and lack-of-exercise choices in my life resulting in more weight gain than I care to admit. Maybe it’s my newfound appreciation of heavy beers, or my love of bread, cheese and wine (which I blame on my French roots.)

It could be the crazy schedule of a journalist, skipping meals or eating at odd hours of the night. Journalists are notoriously bad eaters. Or maybe it’s because I have written a food column for the past three years and just like food too much. OK, way too much.

Whatever the reason, it’s time to make a change. No more excuses. This is my very public declaration for a healthier life.

To launch the year that brings healthy back into my life, I have joined a biggest-loser weight loss challenge. The challenge, which was started by Annette Herlihy, of the Flagler Schools ESE department four years ago, is open to School Board employees and friends (that’s me.) Herlihy started the challenge because she was inspired by the show and needed to lose weight herself.

What better way to lose weight than with friends?

The first year had about 40 participants and last year’s challenge boasted the record participation, with 100. Participants in this year’s challenge have until Friday to weigh-in, but Herlihy expects numbers close to last year.

“I just want people to be healthy,” Herlihy said. “I don't tell you how to lose the weight, but I don't want anyone going to drastic extremes to win.”

Herlihy will send weekly emails to participants with incentives, excercise ideas and tips on how to eat better.

Needless to say, for the next eight weeks, the recipes featured in Shanna’s Kitchen will only be healthy ones.

I don’t expect to win the contest, but I do have a weight-loss goal, and the contest is an incentive to get it started. Healthy eating — on a regular schedule — and exercise is my plan.

Of course, I am always open to tips from readers. To share your healthy eating or exercise tips with me, email [email protected].