Are you into eating healthy to lose weight? You could be if you could just get started? If so, you have come to the right spot. Read on for 5 great tips that will get you started today.
Tip #1: Set realistic goals
The best goals are SMART, that is, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Based.
Write your goal down: It is now (realistic date on which you want to achieve your goal) and I weigh (realistic desired weight) and I feel great!
Then turbocharge your goal by visualizing yourself as having achieved your desired weight. Be sure to get in touch with your joyful feelings.
Tip #2: Find your reason
Find a reason for eating healthy that will continue to motivate you after you have attained your goal weight. It’s helpful to pick a reason that is not weight related. Hint: what do you want to do with your improved health?
It’s best to pick a reason that is big enough to guide your hand to a stick of celery when you’re feeling hungry, rather than a bag of chips.
Tip #3: Build better habits
Once you have got your thinking organized, ramp up your meal plan with these practical tips:
* Eating healthy starts in the supermarket, so buy fresh whole foods, if possible.
* Packaged goods contain calories, fat, sugar and salt. It’s helpful to check the labels and take these into account when planning your meals. Feel free to read these posts for more on the good fats and oils and the not so good fats and oils.
* Prepare food that is appealing visually and to your sense of smell and taste. Eat at the table and enjoy your meal.
* Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day, more if you’re exercising. Herbal teas are good substitutes. You can have fresh fruit juices but remember to account for the calories. Alcohol is a treat, like chocolate. Caffeinated drinks have a diuretic effect and don’t count.
* It’s helpful to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Too little sleep and you may feel more hungry than you otherwise would.
Tip #4: There is no failure, only feedback
If you do happen to eat an entire bar of chocolate, rather than just a square, it’s helpful to treat the experience as feedback or useful information. Rather than blaming yourself, work out what triggered your eating pattern and what you would do differently next time.
Tip #5: Celebrate your successes
As you improve your eating habits and lose weight, remember to celebrate each milestone as you achieve it.
Whatever you do, revel in the joy of moving one step closer to your ultimate goal of creating your new healthy lifestyle.
Resources online
If you would like to kick start your plan for eating healthy to lose weight, you may want to check out the programs below.
Strip That Fat contains a very good diet plan with an exercise regime attached. The program also includes an excellent online menu generator. Check this post for my review.
The Fitness Model Program and Truth About Abs also cover fat loss diets but have an additional focus: developing noticeable muscle tone. Both programs include comprehensive notes and DVDs.
