Now that 2016 is officially underway, and the holiday break has ended (sob!) I thought I’d share with you all one of the things I’m doing to get healthy and feel like my best self this year.

Like many (most?) people, I indulge a bit over the holidays. And one of my biggest weaknesses? Sugar. Strangely, I’m not someone who lives and dies for dessert, but I have this huge soft spot for candy. So, since the holidays are laden with sweets and treats, especially candies, I tend to go a little nuts on the sugar.

Let me start off by saying that I’m not a fan of dieting. I don’t really see how eating nothing but cabbage can be a solution to any sort of problem. But, I do believe in eating mindfully and consuming foods in their purest and most natural form. And, having endured 38 weeks of pregnancy followed by the birth of that sweet face at the top of the post, my body could use a little more love and care to get back to feeling as strong as I did pre-pregnancy. So, in that vein, I’ve decided to limit the amount of added sugar I’m consuming on a daily basis.

In case you’re curious, added sugar is obviously found in things like cookies, cakes, candy, and other sweets, but it’s also found in processed foods; some crackers, breads, and even pastas; and also in those low-fat or no-fat “diet” foods. For example, one of the ways full fat dairy products become no-fat dairy products is by adding sugar. So, while I won’t be depriving myself of many things (including natural sugars like fruit and honey), I will be taking a more mindful approach to what I’m eating and consuming foods in or closer to their natural state, without the added sugar.

And given the sheer amount of sugar I’ve consumed over the past month or so, I think it’s going to be a bit of a transition!

I’m not looking to convert anyone to my approach, as everyone has their own way of “getting healthy” in the new year. I just thought I’d share my plan on here because I’m always curious about what people do to feel healthy, and also because I think it will help me stick to it during those first few weeks without all the Christmas treats. (insert crying emoji here)

I’ve decided to start with the month of January and see how things go. I’m hoping that it’s something I can be rigorous about for the first few months of the year and then use as a loose guideline going forward, as eliminating added sugar altogether makes life a little boring, but overall I think it’s a good goal for the type of lifestyle I strive to lead.

Washboard abs, here I come!