The new year finds millions of people making resolutions to eat healthier and / or lose weight, but many people lose their resolutions too quickly when they are too big to handle. Here’s a few helpful tips to make your healthy eating resolutions stick.
What do you eat now? How active are you?
Keep track of what you eat and drink and how much physical activity you get so you can identify behaviors you would like to change. Schedule an appointment with a dietitian to review your choices. A dietitian can assist you in making goals that you can accomplish, and setting up a healthy eating plan. Tracking your food intake is a proven way to help you accomplish weight loss.
Break Down Your Goals
One Large Goal can Seem Overwhelming Break big goals into smaller, more specific goals and include a list of realistic changes in your daily routine to achieve these specific goals. For instance, divide big and vague goals like "I will eat better" into smaller, more specific goals like "I will eat one more piece of fruit per day." Remember, while your goals should be challenging, they should also be reachable.
Make Sure the Goals You Set are Measurable
Make your goals so you can track your progress. One simple goal is to track your weight weekly. Evaluate your progress every week, and update your plan based upon your current progress. Make sure you are giving yourself enough time to achieve each smaller goal and before you know it big things happen.
Avoid Fad Diets
Many people struggle with “What diet should I follow?” There is the Paleo, vegan, zone, whole 30, intermittent fasting. It can be very confusing to know what is best for your health. Many of the popular diets can help with weight loss– mostly due to eating less calories; however, many of the fad diets are not healthful. Often times they are omitting important nutrients, vitamins or minerals that your body needs to be healthy. Fad diets rarely promote a healthy body, and may even result in disordered eating and unhealthy relationships with food. Instead, focus on healthful foods you can add to your diet instead of foods you want to remove.
Keep a Healthy Mindset
Eat nutritious foods you like, and choose physical activities you love. You'll have more success maintaining your healthier lifestyle if you are enjoying yourself. If you eat something unhealthy or don’t get that extra activity in remember that every day is an opportunity to make choices that work towards your goals. Stay positive. Try new things like meditation or yoga. Not only will they help you achieve your goals but you will keep your brain sharp!
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