It’s January! Obviously. I hope you knew that. Every ad I see on TV and everywhere I go, there is a company pressuring me and others to lose weight, get in-shape, stop smoking etc. I’m sick of it! Instead of making me feel better about myself, these companies are making me feel like I’m not good enough. Why are you making me face my insecurities? I’m stubborn and I’m sure there are a lot of people who feel the same way. These companies are forcing my insecurities in my face. I can’t take it anymore.

The worst part about it is, there are a million other companies advertising the opposite of what these “New Year’s Resolution” companies are offering. First you’ll see an ad for a gym, offering you a “spectacular” deal to join their gym and get in shape. Next you’ll see an ad for McDonald’s advertising their latest fat sandwich. Yuck! How is anyone supposed to get healthy when companies are advertising for the unhealthiest food options.

Why is it so hard to eat healthy?

I’m ashamed to say that I live in one of the fattest countries in the world. Unhealthy food is so readily available. Just about every corner has a fast food restaurant or a convenience store that holds the unhealthiest snacks and soda. Eating unhealthy is just too easy.

Eating healthy food seems to be a big inconvenience. The healthy fast food options are far and few between. If I want a healthy food option, I usually have to drive twice and far and pay twice as much. IT’S JUST NOT FAIR! On top of that, the unhealthy food options usually taste better! I need help!

There are many websites that offer meal plans and shopping lists to get on track to a healthier lifestyle but who has the time to do all that food prep? I’d much rather catch up on the shows I missed throughout the week, go see a movie, do karaoke, play video games, play with my dog, read a book, etc. The list could go on forever. Usually the options on those pre-planned lists are bland and don’t’ really make me excited to eat them.

I want to eat the good stuff, the sweet stuff and I want to eat as much of it as I can. Dr. Oz once pointed out that I may be addicted to sugar. I’m sure he was telling the truth. There are studies that point out that food addiction can be just as serious as drug addiction. Sheesh.

So how does one change their food addiction and eat healthier. These New Year’s Resolution companies want you to do a crash diet. They want you to change your eating immediately. Sharply cut out all the bad food. I don’t think this is the right way to do it.

Starting slowly and gradually adding healthier foods to your diet while cutting out the unhealthy foods at the same time seems like it would work best for people who feel like me about food. The hard part is teaching yourself to love the healthy food options and dislike the unhealthy food options. Also, thinking of it as a diet is a major downfall. Diets never work. What happens when you get to your goal weight and you go off your “diet” and back to those unhealthy food items that you worked so hard to stop eating? All the weight comes and back and most people gain more weight than what they lost.

In conclusion, the best option to eating healthy, in my opinion, is by slowly changing the foods that are in your everyday meals to healthier options. Make a small change instead of making it a sharp change in the way you’re eating. You could start by swapping your McDonald’s breakfast sandwich for a healthier homemade breakfast sandwich. The best part of this plan is that you can still eat your guilty pleasures from time to time.

What do you think?

What makes you happy? Are you content in your life? Do you feel like something is missing? Is there more to life than what you are currently living? Do you have dreams and aspirations that seem to be just out of reach? You’re not alone.

People seem to think that material things and money are what bring happiness. However, through my own personal experiences and plenty of online research, I’ve discovered that having all the money in the world doesn’t make you happy. There are case studies that show people who win the lottery have no more happiness than before they won the lottery. A lot of them report that they in fact became unhappier after winning the lottery. Beyond covering your basic comforts, money provides no inflated sense of happiness.

I know what you’re thinking, “when I don’t have money and I’m struggling to pay my bills, that makes me unhappy.” True. Not having money can cause undue stress. A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Michigan State University discovered that “higher income is associated with experiencing less daily sadness, but has no bearing on daily happiness.” It’s best not to focus on money too much. Obviously, making more money can provide benefits but being obsessive can prevent you from enjoying the things right in front of you that can bring you joy.

So what’s the point in me telling you this?

My point is that your happiness shouldn’t be based on how much money is in your bank account. Don’t feel bad about your life because you don’t have as much money as the next man as long as you’re able to provide for yourself and you have all the things you need.

Here are a few tips on being a happier person:

Why is it important to be happy, you ask? Happiness correlates directly with your physical and emotional health, as well as the health and happiness of the people around you. Have you ever noticed when you’re in a bad mood, it seems like everyone around you is in a bad mood? It’s contagious. In the reverse, when you’re in a good mood, the people around you seem to be in a good mood.

If you consciously make an effort to be a happier person, you’ll notice a change in your life. Don’t let anyone take away your happiness. Tell yourself that you are the master of your feelings and practice being happy. Your outlook on life will change and you’ll see your dreams falling in place.

You’ll thank me later!

It’s a new year and one of your resolutions may be to save money. Whatever the reason you wish to save money, I’ve compiled a list of helpful ways to accomplish your goal.