For the past few months I have written posts about Arnold/Oroweat/Brownberry’s Feed Your Better campaign, which encourages you to make personal goals and achieve them. You can check out all my previous posts by searching Feed Your Better or Arnold in my blog’s search box.
With the start of the new year fast approaching many people will be reflecting upon the positive changes they want to make for themselves in the new year.
Often people’s goals involve a healthier lifestyle, loosing weight, exercising more and saving money.
A recent national survey revealed that Americans seek self-improvement, but either they or their budgets get in the way of successfully achieving their better selves. The study shows that Americans think fatter wallets, flatter stomachs and better food are the keys to self improvement, and they would focus on saving money (21%) and increasing exercise (21%) to help them feel better, along with eating healthy (17%).
Do you agree with these findings? I do agree that feeling better physically can do wonders when it comes to achieving other life goals. After all, it’s hard to focus and have the energy to do things when you feel “blah” and sluggish. A healthy and nutritious diet can give you the energy you need to reach just about any goal you set for yourself.
The campaign’s spokesperson is Alison Sweeney. Alison is best known for her role of Samantha “Sami” Brady on NBC’s long running soap opera Days of Our Lives. She is also the host of The Biggest Loser. She is also a published author.
I had the opportunity to ask Alison a few questions about her involvement in this campaign.
1. Why did you want to become the spokesperson for the Feed Your Better campaign?
The campaign was inspired by the finding that self-motivation is often a barrier to success — 80% of men and women believe they are the biggest obstacle to meeting their personal goals! I loved the idea of Feed Your Better because we should all be inspiring one another to constantly improve ourselves. For me, I need to make an effort to stop and smell the roses despite my hectic schedule so I hope by sharing my Feed Your Better, others can identify where they can improve their lives and we can reward some of those plans with a million dollar purse from which they can feed “their better”.
2. Has the campaign inspired you to Feed Your Better? If so, how?
It has absolutely inspired me. By sharing “my better”, I’m now held accountable to myself and everyone else, so I don’t want to not follow through with my goal. And certainly reading about everyone else’s “better” goals has motivated me too!
3. As a busy woman, how do you find time during your hectic schedule to Feed Your Better?
I think you have to make a time for everything. Scheduling time for myself and my well being has to be a priority in order for me to be the best wife and mother to my family. I try to find a 20 minute window in the day to just stop, breathe and find quiet in my day. Sometimes it doesn’t happen but I just try again the next day.
4. How do you encourage your family to feed “their better”, especially your children?
I’m very lucky to have two children that care so much about each other that they encourage each other to be the best they can be. It’s so cute to watch. I love hearing them compliment each other – “Great job, Ben” or “I really like that picture, Megan.”
5. What have you learned from working on the Feed Your Better campaign?
Feed Your Better is about being better, doing better and feeling better. Feed Your Better is personal and can range from eating more nutritiously, to learning a new skill, to starting an exercise routine. I’ve learned so many great ways that people are working to feed their better, that I come up with other goals which I want to have for myself. It’s been really inspiring to hear people’s stories.
I really like her answers. I have to admit that I don’t give myself enough “me time” during the day. I’m always busy doing something, and 99% of the time it’s for someone else, not me. In the new year I will have to commit giving myself some “me time” so I can relax and de-stress. I also need to “stop and smell the roses” like Alison suggested. Too often I am too busy to appreciate the wonderful things in life like a beautiful sunset or a fluttering butterfly.
Alison also offers these additional tips to Feed Your Better.
Find ways to stay active in your everyday life. Some weeks, I exercise daily and others, I work out as many days as I can! During these busy times, I try to find ways to incorporate physical activity into my schedule, like running around outside with my kids or going for a family hike. Spending quality time with friends and family while staying active allows you to feed your better in more than one way.
Focus on the goal — what being healthy means to you. Making healthy choices isn’t just a one-time decision; it’s a lifestyle that will allow you to become an entirely better you. That’s why I love the Feed Your Better Campaign – it acknowledges that everyone has their own particular “better” that can lead to a lifetime of change. Whether it’s having more energy to keep up with your kids, getting your blood pressure in-check, or completing that 5K race, look at the long-term picture. Keep in mind the wonderful benefits you’ll reap once you start living well!
Prepare and plan. It’s easy to skip a workout or opt for an unhealthy meal when you’re unprepared or in a crunch. Sandwiches made on Arnold®/Brownberry®/Oroweat® whole grain breads are a perfect on-the-go option that never get boring, and allow you to create something different every day. Or, cut up your favorite fruits and vegetables at night so the next morning, you can grab a snack that holds you accountable to healthy habits and keeps you on-track – no excuses!
Alison has even more great things to share in the video below.
What are you doing to Feed YOUR Better? Are you taking the necessary steps NOW or are you waiting for the start of the new year. You don’t have to wait for the new year to begin either. Making improvements to your life is something that can get started on year round. You don’t even have to make big goals. Smaller goals are a great way to start.
For more information about Feed Your Better and to enter the promotion, visit FeedYourBetter.com. For further inspiration, visit youtube.com/loveyourbread to view an exclusive video from Alison about the Feed Your Better Campaign.
For more information about Arnold®/Brownberry®/Oroweat® visit their websites. They even have a great recipe section to help you Feed Your Better.
Kimberly
*This post is written in partnership for the Arnold/Brownberry/Oroweat Bread-bassador program. I have been compensated however all opinions are 100% my own.
The post Q&A with actress Alison Sweeney on how to “Feed Your Better” and achieve your personal goals #FeedYourBetter appeared first on She Scribes.
