Steps to Being Healthier

1. Change your diet when you are REALLY ready to change


2. Reality Check- Do you really even NEED to lose weight? Or are you comparing yourself too much with others?


3. Keep a Food Diary- Record what, when, why and with whom you ate. This will help you realize if you eat out of boredom, celebrations, stress or peer pressure, etc.. It will also help you see if you are getting the right amount of nutrients for your body. Often times we are so unaware of how much processed foods, etc. we are eating.

4. Identify your Good Habits that You Already Have. Be proud of yourself for the small accomplishments you are making.

5. Identify Your Eating Style- Are you a lover of protein? Carbs? Are you a grazer or do you eat 3 heavy meals?

6. Set Realistic, Achievable Goals- Don't plan to cut 1,000 calories out of your daily intake! Cut calories moderately; use less butter, drink more water and a little less juice, etc.

7. Increase Your Eating Awareness- Realize what you are taking in and what it is doing for your body. Replace less nutritious foods with those that are healthier and more beneficial while still tackling your cravings. For instance, if you are craving something sweet have some strawberries and yogurt instead of a bowl of ice cream or candy bars, etc.

8. Find Joy in Exercising. Realize what it does for your body and make it any automatic activity. Play with your kids more, get in the habit of going to the gym daily. Don't let it be a"should I?" choice. Make it apart of your life. It is VITAL to your health.

9. Stop Eating When Stressed- If you realize in the middle of your binge that you weren't even hungry to begin with- STOP. Take a break. Go for a walk, take a nap or just a few breaths to gain control of your actions. If you're not hungry for something don't eat it.

10. Find Support- Get your family and friends involved in your lifestyle goals so that you can help each other stay on track and not be a temptation for one another.

11. Be Patient. Actual and permanent change comes slowly but surely. Keep track of your improvements and leave some space for mistakes and fall backs. Just because you're motivated doesn't mean you're perfect- Be patient, habits come through time.

Make sure your goals aren't holes

How many times have you made the goal to be 2 pant sizes smaller or 15 pounds lighter? How many times have you gone to extremes to reach those goals? Often times when we set a goal to reach a certain result, we become obsessive about it. It encompasses our lives, and when we don't reach that goal we get depressed and give up. It's at this point that our goal has become a hole- a destructive trap. A more positive way of working towards a healthier you is by making lifestyle goals. For example,

1. Drink a glass of water before and after each meal
2. Exercise 3 times a week @ 6 a.m.
3. Eat one serving at each meal
4. Partake of one dessert per week

Lifestyle goals such as these create fantastic habits that we can carry throughout our entire lives! Plus they will still get you closer to that "results goal" you once had. The point is to focus on how you can change your choices, not your body. By doing this we are still able to love ourselves in the moment and still improve our health.

**Challenge**
Pick one lifestyle goal that will optimize your health. Really try to change your mentality from "I want to be thinner" to "I want to live healthier."  Leave a comment and let us know what it is!