Simple Steps For Healthy Diet Success
Simple Steps For Healthy Diet Success
Keeping to a meal plan or diet long-term can seem daunting. How am I supposed to eat healthy forever?! But the truth is, long-term success means replacing negative habits with positive ones and transforming your entire lifestyle, not just subbing in temporary changes. While that may seem overwhelming, when done a little at a time, it’s actually much easier and more subtle than you might think. Here are a few simple steps to diet success that have helped me make my healthy lifestyle just that…a lifestyle!
Simple Steps For Healthy Diet Success
Keep fresh produce easy and accessible. This healthy hack is a staple in my life. As soon as I get home from the store with fresh produce, I wash it, cut it (if necessary), and place it in clear storage containers ready to go in the fridge. It makes snacking, mixing up a salad, or throwing a tray of vegetables into the oven easy. Bonus: This set of fridge friendly tupperware is only $22.95 on SALE! Keeping fresh food in sight is proven to make us prone to reach for them when raiding the fridge for a quick snack. Keep good food in your fridge and you will eat good food!
Don’t buy foods you don’t want to eat. A little obvious, right? But somehow, this is something many of us still can’t grasp. If you are a working mother, I get it— you want to buy your kids the foods they love and will eat, even if they don’t fit into your meal plan. Unfortunately though, until reaching for a healthy option becomes second nature, having any off-plan foods at home can lead to a diet disaster. It’s all too easy to fall face first into goldfish crackers and fruit snacks at the end of a rough day just because they are in your pantry. If eliminating these foods entirely from your grocery list isn’t possible, try to keep them hidden. Out of sight, out of mind rings so true when it comes to diet temptations!
Move your body every day. Over the years, my schedule has changed hundreds of times. The only really consistent thing about my day-to-day is how often it changes! Although working out for 30 minutes isn’t always an option, I’ve found hands down that planning ahead, scheduling for, and getting exercise in always leads to a better day of eating (even if it’s just a quick 5 minute morning routine). If you’re looking for a healthy exercise plan to follow, I have my Strong Body program to make getting your daily dose of movement and taking time for yourself even easier!
Avoid mindless munching. It’s all too easy to keep eating food when it’s readily available. I call it the “see food diet”. Many of my corporate clients struggle with this, since food is everywhere all the time at the office. Even if it’s healthy, they gain weight from eating all the time. You don’t need to eat at all hours of the day, but if you are surrounded by food it’s hard to walk away. If you can’t resist food when it’s around you, have it put away or leave the room. Turn off the television, computer, or any other distractions so that you can pay attention to what you are eating. When you are dining out, ask the server to have the bread removed from the table. In the office steer clear of your co-workers candy jar or the community food table. Try to eliminate situations where you’ll be tempted to eat food just because it’s there. If food is a constant at your office, talk to your co-workers. Tell them about your healthy living goals and see if there’s a way to limit the food options to only be available at meal time. Many of them might share similar goals and would appreciate someone taking action in removing temptation!
Enjoy dining out with moderation and mindfulness. Eating appropriate portion sizes and choosing healthier options when dining out can be challenging. Restaurant servings sizes are often enough for 4 people! To keep portions in perspective, consider ordering two appetizers instead of an entrée. If you are dining with others, you may want to split an appetizer and entrée with another person. If you order an entrée for yourself, evaluate how much of the food on the plate equates to a portion size and ask for the rest to be set aside. You can ask for a doggie bag or save the portion for another meal during the week. If you choose to have dessert SHARE it! You can have a few bites, satisfy your sweet tooth, and still honor your goals. Ask the waiter about menu ingredients and look for options that have less sugary, high calorie preparation. If you are not sure ask! Its always a good idea to know what you are choosing to spend money on and put into your body. A good wait staff will help you make a smart choice.
Think before you drink. I talk about this a lot in my corporate wellness seminars. In today’s world we are surrounded by a lot of “healthy” drinks that are also full of sugar and calories. As much as I love a good kombucha and juice, too much sugar will make my blood sugar skyrocket. Be mindful of the coffee, cocktails, juices, smoothies, and drinks you choose. You can make smart choices without giving up your favorites – it’s all about balance. Read my better beverage guide here.
Let yourself eat foods you love and love what you eat. No, really, fall in love with what you eat and how you chose to nourish yourself. Your diet doesn’t have to be miserable to work. You CAN learn to find a healthy balance with your food choices and how you fuel yourself. Yes really YOU CAN. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It doesn’t have to be “good foods” vs. “bad foods”. You can actually find a way of eating that feels good, allows you to be fit, maintain your weight, and enjoy your favorite treats in balance with everything else. If you’ve never found peace with food or feel guilty every time a whole30-paleo-vegan-lowcarb-highfat-keto-sugarcleanse doesn’t work, maybe it’s time to get off the trendy diet rollercoaster and find a way of eating that sustains your health (and sanity) long term. I teach you how in my Strong Body program. You can love what you eat and feel your best. It all starts when you are ready to do that for yourself.
Transforming your lifestyle for a healthier one can be difficult, especially when you’re first starting out. But starting small and learning a few positive steps you can take is an easy way to create quick wins and find greater success in your journey. What’s your favorite tip for diet success? I want to hear it! Let me know in the comments below.
I am here to help you find your own healthy lifestyle. If you are ready to feel your best, let’s start. Learn more here.
Cheers to loving what you eat and loving how you feel,
Caroline
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I was 66 years old and broke my right foot in April 2016 which required surgery. Because of you I stayed in shape. My doctors could not believe how my foot healed. And, I stayed in shape. Please know I shared with them your information. Back at the gym. Thanking you for your inspiration.
Means the world to me to know this Sally – thank you for sharing and so happy you are healed !!
Great tips! If people can’t integrate these all at once, it can be done over time. I did so, but over many years. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, have a much better figure then when I was in my 20s. Hooray!