take care everyone, here's my entry!! this was a very good exercise to organize all the thoughts I've been having lately!

http://www.steepingbeauty.com/take-some-things-off-your-plate-in-2008/

Best,
Delphine

beauty blog: http://steepingbeauty.com
mommy blog: http://pajamamom.com

I achieved my goal for last year, to lose the weight I had gained while recovering from an accident. I still have more to go, so in 2008 I plan to lose the rest of the weight by continuing my more organic eating and exercise plan. I also plan to get at least 25 people to the polls in November that have never voted before, regardless of who they support. It is my hope that in 2008 I give more than I take, and become a better me.

Leslie
smokeringsandcoffeestains.com

http://lauraleegardner.blogspot.com/2008/01/our-new-diet.html

I gave birth in late 07. As a breastfeeding mother, I haven't yet started a "diet" but I'm hoping to live healthier this year. I talk about, in the post below, needing the weather to warm up so I can get outside with both kids! My goal for the year, mentioned in the post, is to lose 20 pounds. If I can do it by LittleBrother's birthday, that would be FABULOUS. However, December 31st at midnight would also be acceptable. HA!

http://stopdropandblog.com/2008/01/14/waiting-the-weight-off-its-slow-go...

-
Jenna
Stop, Drop and Blog
Birth/First Parent Blog
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

For a change I have vowed that this year I will put myself first. Mind, Body , and Spirit.. this is a change I have vowed to make in 2008. As a stay at home mom to a busy, busy special needs toddler... too often in the past I have put myself last in every way possible. I have prepared my daughter well rounded meals, but fed myself a handful of goldfish while folding laundry. My daughter is dressed to the nines for preschool, while I pull on a old pair of sweats to run errands. It's sad really.

I will take time for myself. I will soak in a bath, feed my body healthy foods and take care of myself.It may have taken some getting used to and may feel self indulgent at times... I remind myself that my family will benefit from having a healthier & happier Mama. I am fortunate that I have the support of my husband who encourages me in my goals.

I have started my plan off with a bang - been doing really well with working out & eating well. I have a well deserved massage, hair cut & shopping spree planned and you know.. it's empowering .I feel really good about myself. Maybe I will start a trend

http://ukraineadventure.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-year-new-attitude.html

I have decided to get and stay healthy. I for one have changed my meat intake from beef to boca burgers and anything with chicken and turkey. I have begun to walk almost daily 3-4 times a week for exercise and if I shed some pounds that will be a big benefit.
I work two jobs and raise 3 boys and finding time to walk, eat right and get the sleep and right nutrition has been a big stumbling block for me and now I know I have to take care of myself by making changes so that I have enough energy and strength and peace of mind to take care of myself and my family.

This is an excerpt of my News Years Eve post where I talked about the difference between goals and resolutions...

"By the end of this year WILL climb that steep incline wall at the gym, I WILL be able to do one unassisted pull up, and I will return to my personal goal of 140lbs. To accomplish these goals I WILL make working out a priority, I WILL continue to journal and watch my diet, choosing healthy foods that nourish me and my body."

http://weightwatchen.com/2008/01/resolutions-vs-goals.html

I have declared 2008 the year I take care of myself. I left a job at the end of December where I was underappreciated and overstressed. This has allowed me to show my young daughters that strong women make hard decisions. Since I have made that healthy change, I am exercising each day which makes our dog happy as he walks with me. I am working as a freelance writer and administrative support person. I also just started blogging. All of these changes are much needed as I am a wife, mom, daugther, sister, volunteer--the list goes on and on. I will not be able to be any of those things if I do not put myself first. A big wedding anniversary looms in May (20 years) and the best present I can give to my husband is a wife who is healthy and content.

My New Year's resolution is to exercise on a regular basis. I'm going to plan on attending StrollerFit 6 days a week with my two toddlers in the stroller watching their mommy exercise! I love being a great role model for them while I get my daily exercise. Regular exercise is the best way to keep me feeling strong, happy, and healthy! Not only is it good for my physical health, but my mental health too!

-Heather
http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com

To finally, once and for all, take off the last few pregnancy pounds that have stuck around. I've been rowing 5Ks about 5x a week since Thanksgiving, so that is helping! I really want to get my endurance back.

I also want to come back to yoga, which has dropped out of my life since our move last March. It's a struggle to fit everything in with three little boys, one of whom is a special needs child, and a husband who travels a lot, but somehow I need to make it work.

Andrea
Andrea's Recipes

I've gotten my Cholesterol down quite a bit and that's something I'm very proud of! I've been watching what I've been eating and trying not to overeat. Also, I've been staying away from junk food and that's been a HUGE help in my weight I believe. I'm on my way to a healthier lifestyle!!

I've started to take long walks in the Scottish countryside. I was spending so much time sitting at the computer that I was becoming really unfit. Now the whole family has been climbing the hillsides, walking round lochs and following nature trails. A much healthier way to spend the day than glued to the internet!
Amy
http://liveslessordinary.wordpress.com

Like the others here, my goal is to increase my activity level.

I want to be able to set an example for my daughter. I don't want her to see me sitting around all day doing nothing so it is my goal to get active and eat healthier this year.

Inspired by my son who moved into the vegan world last year, I've set my goal on eating less of the kind of things that vegans avoid (meat, dairy, etc.) and more of the foods they enbrace (legumes, nuts, vegetables, soy products, fruits, etc.)

My son is counting on a vegan lifestyle to help him avoid some of the health issues his dad and I have encountered. And I think that's smart. Every day we hear of some product being recalled, some ingredient becoming suspect or some drug causing more problems than it cures. He wants to bypass the processed, hormone-enriched foods that may be cause for concern.

So why shouldn't I take a more preventative path in my life? Certainly more exercise -- riding a recumbent bike every day, using my Ab-Lounger and walking. I'm committed to the benefits exercise will provide.

But I've also changed our menu at home. Fish once or twice a week. A meat-free meal at least once a week -- even though my husband is not thrilled. Small portions of meat the rest of the week. More whole grains -- I've started making whole grain, nut and dried berry granola to snack on at work. I've experimented with some vegan dishes like adzuki bean loaf or a stir-fried pasta dish with fresh tomatoes, parsley, and pinenuts. You just have to do some recipe research and creative thinking about how you approach cooking. Oh yes, and I drink 2-3 cups of Japanese green tea each day with fresh lemon -- the tea is packed with antioxidants.

Now mind you, I'm not becoming a vegan. I really do like meat and dairy. But moderation is an absolute must. I don't want my breast cancer to recur. I don't want my husband's digestive system problems to get worse. But I do want to maintain my high energy level, resistance to colds and flu, and my active lifestyle for a long, long time.

If I don't take action, who will?

tish

Travels with Tish -- Girlfriends' Getaway Guide

E-mail tish at girlfriends-getaway@midwestairlines.com
travelswithtish.com

Here's my entry: http://fondofsnape.com/?p=1493 I'm inspired, committed and dedicated towards my goal of having a healthier and happy 2008!

Janet

http://www.fondofsnape.com
http://whatisitwednesday.blogspot.com
http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fondofelves/
http://www.agirlmustshop.com

I've been very conscious of everything I eat or drink lately, as my husband and I are trying to have a baby. The healthier we are, the better our chances, and the healthier our baby will be!

Dawn
of DawnsRecipes.com

This is my "mantra" for '08. I had a baby in March and didn't like the fact that before I was even pregnant I was up 20 pounds from when I'd gotten married. Last fall I started walking at the park with some friends (and babies in strollers). We went one day a week, but it was so fun.
The snow is on the ground now, but as soon as it starts melting you can bet that I'll be out walking again. I even have more mommy friends now that aren't working so hopefully I can walk multiple days with different groups.
I'm blessed because we have some awesome paved walking paths in parks in our city. However they get really hot in the summer so we have to go early in the morning. Double bonus, this means I have to get up and get moving in the morning. When I've done something productive before 10am I seem to get so much more done in my day.
So here's to walking off the extra baby weight AND getting more things accomplished in my days!

My resolutions:
1. Work less.
2. Compete in more athletic events.
3. Beat an eating disorder.
4. Enjoy life, be more social and go to BlogHer.

My blog entry on this topic

I try to achieve two to three big goals a year. This doesn’t mean this is the only time that I create goals.The opportunity presented itself to develop a blog in June 2007 and it transformed the rest of my year. Go Workout Mom wasn’t even in my radar last January.
Here are my health and fitness goals for 2008:
1. I resolve to run 10 miles of the Country Music City Half Marathon in April 2008.
2. I will incorporate four vegetable and three fruit servings into my family’s daily diet.
3. Lose 20lb by the first day of Spring (March 20th) and maintain for the rest of the year!
True to my multi-tasking ways, I am part of three distinct challenges. The first is Healthy You Challenge, a one year commitment to give and receive support for a healthier lifestyle. I love it! Spring Into Weight Loss a WW Challenge goes well with my mid-term goals. The idea is to achieve a 20 lb loss by the first day of Spring. I must come to terms with my diet and make changes. Exercising is starting to click. My food choices are not! I am currently using MyPyramid to focus on the food groups. Finally, I change my weekly goals in Goal Call Monday to focus on a specific diet or exercise shortfall. It’s a great tool to keep all of us motivated.

After giving up the big salary, big bonuses, and big trips in exchange for big hugs, lots of love, and 24/7 caretaking as a new SAHM for the past year, I have already decided to make 2008 the year of "Go-Go Mommy"! After all, "if mama ain't happy, then ain't nobody happy."

Being a little offended and at the same time somewhat inspired by Oprah's show with Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love...", I decided to document my own journey of self-discovery this year and prove to eveyone that you CAN find "inner peace" without traveling across the world and leaving your entire family for a year - which, for must of us, is not only not an option but would be a heartbreak as well.

So far I've signed up for on-line meditation courses, I've picked up the beautifully photographed book "The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings" which visually feeds my soul and reminds me to see the beauty in everyday living, and I'm attending local yoga/meditation retreats individually as well as taking my two girls (almost 4 years and 15 months) to a weekly family yoga class. The connections abound! In addition, I'm coming up with a whole list of options for moms/parents who feel that they need to have time for personal growth but don't know where to look or how to fit it into a busy day.

In other words, I'm discovering that once you open yourself to those around you and open yourself to your personal goals/desires which are buried deep in your heart, you somehow find a way to "make it work" (as in the immortal words of my beloved Tim Gunn).

Professionally, I am taking my new-found energy and channeling it into creating my own business venture. I will be a moving from SAHM to WAHM/Mompreneur in 2008 - I am so geeked!

Here's my personal blog which will document my undertakings:
http://gogoma.typepad.com/go_go_mommy/

Cheers!
Go-Go Mommy

My husband has a kidney disorder, the side effects of which cause him to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so it is very important for us to eat healthy. I have our standard, healthy recipes that I cook often, but we get tired of them so stray into unhealthier fare out of boredom. I have a ton of great, healthy recipes, but I never use them because they are unorganized and unsearchable. This year, I am organizing all of my recipes electronically into Microsoft OneNote so that I will actually use them.

http://3boysundermyroof.blogspot.com
Heather Stork

Best of luck with all of your goals! You can check mine out here:

http://www.crankmama.com/2008/01/09/getting-in-the-habit/

-CrankMama
http://www.CrankMama.com

Rosanne Morrison
I think it's a good idea to start as low on the food chain as possible. Eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables and well as grains, sea greens, etc are one way. Being near a body of water and in nature while exercising sure beats being in a gym-efreshing for mind would and body. Fill your mind with good positive things-spiritual and postivie. Havea good bely laugh every day.

I've made a pledge on my blog to bake my own bread this winter instead of buying it from the grocery store. You can find my pledge in the following link.

http://analisfirstamendment.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-homemade-bread-pledg...

My blood pressure was bordering on high and instead of taking medication, I changed my eating habits and lowered it back to normal. I'm trying to maintain it and encourage others to think more about the foods that they put in their bodies.

Anali

The United Nations Climate Change Report states that Animal Agriculture causes more greenhouse gases than transportation. The source is in the url below:
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html

I recently became a Vegan, and I'm eating many more vegetables and fruits than I ever had. I also have ground flaxseed with my morning cereal which provides omega 3s and many other essential nutrients. Since I've become Vegan, I receive so many comments about how healthy I look.

In order to help new vegetarians and vegans, I've started a Facebook page with many great resources. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5535528618

Mary

I will limit my intake of restaurant foods; I already have eliminated fast foods, many years ago. I love to cook, so it is easy for me to make meals "from scratch". This year I have an herbal garden and also grow a lot of my own vegetables. I am semi-retired, so I usually have the time to do healthy cooking. So far, this year, I have kept to my plan. Also, I am a cardiac nurse, so I keep to anti cancer, anti cholesterol foods. It must be working; I have no health conditions and take no prescription medications. (I am 66 years young)

My plan is posted here: http://compostermom.blogspot.com/2008/01/smart-goals-or-something-to-tak...

Daisy