Happy Hints to a Healthier Lifestyle.
So summer is coming and you really want to fit into that swimsuit, but you really want to eat 100 tacos! Choose the swimsuit you will be so much happier and healthier. People sometimes fear to change their lifestyle, even if it is for the better. And I am not going to call it a “diet”, it has the word die right in it and who wants to die from eating food? No worries you can do this and I will help.
One of the most important things that you can do to help make your weight loss journey a success is to do some beforehand meal preparation. What?! I know what you are thinking, “I do fast food because it has the word fast in it!” That is a bad excuse and a poor diet, I can use diet there because fast food will not only add many pounds but it could also, well, lead you to an early death! I do understand, it can be scary and overwhelming.
The first thing that you have to do is make a plan before you go grocery shopping. And don’t go grocery shopping hungry. You will buy things that you really don’t need. Make a plan and stick to it. No processed foods and no sugar they are empty calories with no nutritional value. Good clean eating. Planning will help you to stay on the path and not only help tremendously in weight loss, but you will achieve all sorts of health benefits including clearer skin, better health and wellness and you can avoid metabolic syndrome and disease. Sounds like a win-win right?
How I am sure you are wondering, do I even do this? You can, you are changing one habit for a way better one, it really has nothing to do with willpower. Start by looking at your week so you can control your food and it will not control you. If you are going to a restaurant look at the menu before you get there so you know that you are making a good choice (and skip the bread!). You need to prepare for your life events so that you will have success. If you have kids and they are in activities, plan for that with a healthy snack so that you don’t grab a hot dog at the food stand. Celery or fruit is a good choice but if you eat fruit add a handful of nuts you will not only stay fuller longer but you will keep your insulin from spiking.
Just so you understand meal prepping is not just about chopping everything up. It is about putting together meals so that when you come home it is easy to prepare in minimal time. I usually use a couple of hours on Sunday to prep. I have a menu planner that I created in word. It is just everything I want to eat that week with activities and times out in place it is blank and I fill it in. That way when I go to the store I get what I need. If I am having nuts for a snack I bag them in a one serving bag. That way I know I won’t overeat. I also pick out simple but tasty recipes and make my grocery list according to aisles in the store. I can save time that way by preparing my list ahead of time. A great place to save money is in farmers markets or roadside fruit and vegetable stands. The food will be healthier and tastier.
After you get home, place your food in piles according to your recipe. Chop it up and place it in containers so that it is ready to go. Put it in groups in the refrigerator. I will even measure out my herbs and spices and put them in a container so it is ready to go. It does take a bit of time but you will save so much time later and think of the calories that you will avoid when you know you meal is all but ready when you get home. Make this a part of your routine, a simple habit change. You will be so proud of yourself.
Don’t be afraid of it, enjoy it! Talk yourself into liking it instead of talking yourself into hating it. When people say, “I don’t cook.” I am in shock, what do you eat? Processed food is just really bad for you. It is full of sugar and empty calories and will leave you hungry in just a few short hours. Take the time to prepare for your week and enjoy your food. I promise you, not only will you feel better and look better, you will even lose some weight.
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