We finally entered a brand-new year!

I don’t know about you, but after Christmas is all over, I look forward to the new year. It feels like a fresh start. We all need one of those after the year we had last year.

Do you make a resolution? Some people think they are silly, and some make them and stick to them! Others make them, kill it for a month or so, then it gets old. Making resolutions is a goal we set ourselves up for to start a brand-new year off on the right foot.

How many of you challenge yourselves to save more money or pay off debt? What about exercising more and eating healthier? Reading the Bible, or doing devotions each morning? Making more time for family and friends? There are so many things we always want to do differently.

Last year, I had a few things I wanted to do and continue.

First was praying before I even got out of bed. I would always pray before I went to sleep at night and found myself falling asleep while talking to the Lord. Not falling asleep every night, but it was a habit I didn’t want to get into. So, I started to pray in the morning before I even got out of bed. It’s honestly such an awesome start to the morning. Then I get up and make our bed. It’s now a habit I formed.

Another good habit I formed was eating breakfast. Folks, I had such bad habits. I can’t even tell you.

I never ate breakfast, and by the time lunch rolled around, I was starvin’ Marvin’ and ready to eat the whole darn kitchen. Now, a hot bowl of low sugar oatmeal, a half a piece of multigrain English muffin with a small amount of peanut butter, eggs, or a breakfast smoothie is a few ways of how I start my mornings. If you are one of those people who struggle with eating breakfast, I can’t tell you how much it changed me. Whether you are overweight or not, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I hated mornings. I hated breakfast. And even more, I hated my body and what I was doing to it. I had let myself go and had to change things. The first thing I knew I had to change was breakfast. If I made myself at least eat a banana or something easy, it would help my metabolism to kick start and not be so hungry by lunchtime. Premier Protein drinks were a great thing for me because I could grab and go. At 30g of protein, I couldn’t believe how it satisfied me! I didn’t need them every day, but on those busy mornings, it was nice to be able to just grab a banana and protein drink, and out the door, I’d go. Now, I said “continue” for this because this wasn’t for 2020, this started about two years ago, and I have continued to make changes in my life.

I’ve always told you someday I would share my journey with you all, and I thought the new year was perfect. It would never fit all in one column, so in the next few weeks, I am going to share it with you all. Even if I can inspire one of you, it will be so worth it. Diets don’t work, guys — for real. Sticking to something for the rest of your life by not eating pizza, ice cream, or chips!? Gasp!

Who wants to live like that!? I had to find a way that worked for me and knew I could stick to it.

That’s when I started small changes that turned into big changes. Do you want to make those changes too? Come along with me for the next few weeks; I want to share my journey with you because you can do it too!

Caramel Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Shake
Ingredients:
• 1 frozen or ripe banana
• 1/3 cup quick oats
• 1 caramel protein shake
• 2 Tbs. of PB2 powder
• Ice (about 2/3 cup)

*Makes enough for two drinks. 425 calories for the whole batch!
Directions:

Blend and enjoy!