Eating healthier is one of the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions. How many of you set that as an intention this year? How is it going? I’m guessing many of you may not have yet started or started and have already strayed from the path. Eating healthier is an easy goal to set, but not so easy to maintain. So, I’ve created a recipe for success for you!
These are my Top 9 Tips to Eat Well in 2016. I use these tips myself and I know they work long term. Whenever you start to struggle with eating well, simply place these tips in a large mixing bowl in any amount and stir them around. Pour into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees. Now, sit back and watch success start to bubble up into a delicious meal. ENJOY! Cheers to your amazing year of eating well.
If you would like to really bring these tips to life join my next 5-Day Real Food Reset March 6th-11th. Find more information on my website.
1. Plan your meals each week. Planning is key. I like to plan my meals over the weekend so that when Monday comes I am ready to go and organized. You can pick any day of the week. I just happen to like starting my meal plans on Mondays. I write my plan down. There is magic when you put pen or pencil to paper. It seals the deal and the plan become more tangible and real.
2. Prep as much as you can. After I purchase all of my ingredients I prep as many of the ingredients as possible. This means chopping vegetables and cooking things ahead of time. Place items in clear containers so you can see everything and be sure your refrigerator is clean and organized.
3. Don’t diet. EAT WELL. Eat to be healthy and strong. Enjoy your meals. Do not pick meals that make you feel deprived and will cause you to lose weight quickly. Do not pick meals that make you feel like you are dieting. Remember, we are working on being more balanced. Have fun with your meal planning!
4. Give yourself credit for the smallest effort. A healthy breakfast is something to celebrate on days when you feel like you just aren’t motivated! Who knows?!?! a healthy breakfast could lead to a healthy lunch, dinner and snacks. Every time you feel like you are falling off the wagon, refocus on what you are doing well!
5. Think about context. Where do you eat? Are you eating in a comfortable and relaxed environment? Are you eating with people you enjoy? Is the conversation stimulating? Yes, all of this affects how we eat. How does the area you typically eat in feel to you? Seek out places and people that promote a healthy eating environment. One thing I really like to do is light a candle at mealtime. This helps to relax me so that I take my time eating.
6. Meditate and/or Pray. Meditation and/or prayer can help to curb unhealthy cravings. Just 3 minutes of meditation and/or prayer can make a big difference. When you notice yourself starting to reach for foods mindlessly, take some time to sit, watch the breath and notice how your are feeling. By tuning in and feeling the sensations that are arising in the body and mind you will cultivate lasting change.
7. Seek Community and Support. Community and support is invaluable. There is so much to learn from each other and it is helpful to know that you are are not alone and someone else has the same struggles. You will also see that people have successfully overcome obstacles you might be currently experiencing. This will give you hope and encouragement to know that it is possible to create lasting change.
8. Spend money on your food and programs that will guarantee your success. Nutrition is a high life priority, so this is the place to splurge a bit if that helps. Honor and spoil yourself! Spend a little more on that great piece of salmon, search for the best produce, buy yourself that organic chicken or milk, sign up for a program that will help you achieve your goals. Invest in your health now and you will reap the benefits. Have faith that this is truth.
9. Compassion, Compassion, Compassion. We are all going to mess up. There will be setbacks. Your journey to eating well will not be easy. Let’s just admit it. It WILL not be easy. You must have compassion for yourself in these moments. Here is a great practice to strengthen your compassion muscle. Simply place your hand on your heart, close your eyes and say to yourself, “I’m sorry body. I love you body. I will feed you healthy and nourishing foods, strong body.” Do this over and over again for 3 to 5 minutes. You may shed a few tears and that’s a good sign! Every time you start to beat yourself up, do this!