Lose Weight/Get Healthy – #gethealthy {Sponsored by eMeals}

Next week we begin a new year. With every new year comes resolutions. There are generally 3 major areas most of us choose to focus on each year - losing weight/getting healthy, becoming organized, and/or saving money. I admit, I jump on that wagon each year, too. I didn't last long in 2012 - it was a rough year all around. I'm choosing a different approach this year, which you will hear all about over the next month.

eMeals has teamed up with me again for 2013, and has tips that go along with those 3 general goal areas. Today we focus on losing weight/getting healthy.

With so many people wanting to lose weight and eat healthy this new year, we should know what our calorie intake needs to be based on age and activity level. Check out the chart below to become knowledgeable about your family's calorie needs.

{Please know that eMeals and I are not promoting that children need to lose weight and count calories by any means with this chart. The point of this post is also being healthy. Part of being healthy is ensuring you're eating enough calories each day as well. This is something that is important for growing children.}

How do you actually lose weight? Cutting 500 calories from your daily calorie intake will help you achieve their goal. Sounds easy, right? Okay, maybe not. The graphic below is true though - it takes a plan in order to achieve this. I, personally, have tried counting my calories several times in the past. It's too much work for me. I honestly do better with cutting calories when I'm not counting them and using a meal plan. This helps me because I know ahead of time what I'm eating. I can make the changes prior to cooking to make meals low-fat or sugar-free.

To lose weight, a simple chart for tracking your daily calorie count goal vs actual intake will help you stick to a plan. You have to have some kind of accountability - and if recording this info does it for you, then go for it.

I have blogged before about losing weight and while everything I've written in the past still holds true, things have changed for me. My goal this year is not to lose weight. My goal is to be healthy - to be conscious of what I'm putting inside of my body each time I eat.

I have a one year membership to eMeals {which I received as compensation for being part of their blogging network}. We're looking to cut food costs in 2013 so we can start tackling our student loan debt. A meal plan definitely helps accomplish this. While I've been meal planning for years, eMeals automatically chooses meals for me that match with the weekly sales at my grocery store - saving me money each week. I was able to select that our family size is just two, so the meal sizes are smaller {less waste}. We're using the classic meal style right now - but I may later switch to the low fat plan. The recipes are quick and simple to make - which is a must for me with my busy schedule. Even Chris has no problem whipping up dinner with the simplicity of each recipe. =]

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by eMeals. Graphics in this post have been provided by eMeals.
eMeals is a meal planning service that creates budget friendly menus for you, based on your family's needs - this includes eating style, family size, and favorite grocery store. Each week, your meal plan is emailed to you, complete with simple and creative family-friendly recipes. Each entree includes a suggested side dish as well. Along with your meal plan, you receive a detailed grocery list, organized by section and coordinated with the weekly sales at selected stores.
eMeals is also recommended by Dave Ramsey. 
Save 15% on an eMeals subscription with coupon code newyear.