Many of us would like to get healthier.
We think about it when we are eating those fries we shouldn’t have ordered with our lunch or after wolfing down that piece of cheesecake after dinner.
We seem to experience sort of an “eater’s remorse” during these times. So, we say to ourselves, “Tomorrow is going to be different,” but, sadly, many of us fail before we even begin. We just do not know where to start. To be successful at anything in life, you first must prepare. You must create a scenario that ends in nothing but success! So when our goal is to live a healthier lifestyle (and perhaps lose a little weight in the process), what things should we do to make sure we achieve that goal?
You can get yourself off to a great start by following just five simple steps.
1. DRINK WATER (at least 64 oz/day)
Swap your soda and other calorie-laden beverages for water! By doing this you can save yourself anywhere from 200 to 1000 calories a day. Those empty calories really add up fast and, in turn, add to your waistline.
2. EAT BREAKFAST
When we do not eat breakfast our bodies suffer. We need the nutrients that a good breakfast provides so that we have energy to start our day. When we don’t eat breakfast, we tend to eat too much and make unhealthy lunch choices. Make sure that your breakfast consists of plant proteins and lots of fruits! Bread products spike your blood sugar level and are not a sustainable energy source. So ditch the toast and cereal and start drinking a high-quality, plant-based protein shake in the morning (I recommend Juice Plus+ Complete.) with a few fruits and veggies mixed in, and you will be ready for the day ahead of you!
3. STOCK YOUR FRIDGE with the GOOD STUFF
Fill your refrigerator with LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies. When you get home from a grocery shopping trip wash your produce, cut it up and store it in containers. Place the containers at eye level so that they are the first thing you see when you open your fridge. This will help you to make healthy choices when you are feeling like you need a snack. By eating more fruits and veggies you will notice some serious changes in your body and your mood!
4. READ YOUR LABELS
Reading the nutrition labels of the food you buy is SO important! Look for foods that are made from REAL ingredients. Chances are that if you can’t pronounce it, that you shouldn’t eat it. This may add some time to your grocery store visits at first, but eventually you will become very familiar with the brands/companies that make foods that actually fuel your body. Always remember that the fewer ingredients it has, the better it fuels your body!
5. SHOP in the PERIMETER of the STORE
This alone will help you make excellent choices at the grocery store. Think about what is in the perimeter of the grocery store: produce, dairy, eggs, meat and freshly baked goods. If you can limit your visits to the middle aisles of the store you will buy more REAL food. The middle of the store contains boxed, bagged and canned goods. Most of which are full of preservatives, dyes, salts, sugars and a variety of chemicals that you would expect to see on a paint can. In general, if a food is perishable, it’s better for you. Consuming more fruits, veggies and proteins WILL lead to a healthier lifestyle and most certainly weight loss.
These five simple steps, if practiced regularly, will help you on your path to health and wellness. And, if you find that you just aren't getting enough fruits and veggies in your diet there are some great whole-food supplements out there. (We recommend Juice Plus+.)
After all, “fitness is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. You can’t outrun your fork.”~author unknown
Meghan Hamilton is a co-owner and author of Fusion Early Learning. One of Meghan’s passions is educating young children (and adults) on health and nutrition. Meghan currently lives in Northern California with her husband and business partner Tom, and their two children Jack and Emma.
This article also appeared on the Mommy News Network.
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