The recent pandemic has exposed us to the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. You are in luck if you have been putting off changing your unhealthy habits because you do not know where to start. We have come up with advice to help you embark on a journey towards leading a healthier diet.
Put yourself first
Just think, would you be friends with someone who spoke to you the way you speak to yourself? If the answer is no, I have some news for you – you have got to change your attitude. Yes, you deserve health and happiness, and to love yourself and feel proud of yourself. Many people refuse to change their ways because they feel like there is no use – “I’m just not meant to look like a fitness model.” So, they give up before they even try. Remember, the only person that can help you achieve your goals is you.
Moreover, if you feel like it is time for a change in your life, a change of any kind, motivation will only take you so far. Being inspired and motivated is attractive in the beginning, but what gets you to the finish line is discipline. There will be times when you will have absolutely no motivation, and that is where routine and discipline come to help. By creating healthy habits, you will eventually stick to them without thinking. It will be as elementary as breathing or walking.
Determine your goals
Establishing an achievable goal, creating a plan of action and sticking to a routine is the only way you can create new healthy eating habits. Whatever your reason for eating healthily may be, whether losing or gaining weight, getting off those high blood sugar meds, building muscle, or simply fighting depression by boosting your metabolism with healthy food, the first thing to do is set a short-term goal for yourself that you can reach relatively quickly.
For instance, if your goal is gaining weight, start small, like gaining 5lbs in the next two months. Even though your long-term goal could be gaining 30lbs, a smaller goal, in the beginning, helps you stay motivated and focused, encouraging you to stick to your plan rather than give up.
Educate yourself
Another crucial step in your health journey is informing yourself about what you are getting from the food you eat and how you can use it to reach your goal. That does not mean knowing which vitamins there are in cabbage, but rather being aware that nuts are good for you, but at the same time very high in calories, so they are great for gaining weight, and not so much for losing. Or that salmon is rich in protein and omega-3s.
You can find a lot of information on the Internet, but make sure it is credible. Join an online community dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regularly visit informative sites with healthy recipes. With time, you will learn how to combine ingredients according to your goal.
Choose better food options
Having said that, whatever your goal may be, you are much more likely to reach it if you base your diet around whole foods. Healthy fats, protein and complex carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables maintain even blood sugar levels and keep you full for longer. This does not mean that you should give up fast food and sweets; that will only make you crave them more. Consider the 20/80 rule – eighty per cent of your diet should be “clean” foods, and the other twenty can be snacks you crave from time to time.
Additionally, make preparing your meals a habit since it is always a better option than ordering takeout. You will have more control over what you eat if you bring packed lunches to work, rather than bingeing on biscuits your co-worker brought.
Get creative
When it comes to food, you should think outside of the box. There are ways of substituting the things you love with healthier versions. Swap sugar with honey for a healthier option, especially if you have a hard inclination towards sweets. Also, if you love fried food, invest in an air-fryer; it certainly is not the same, but it is a good alternative. If you are someone who simply cannot give up fizzy drinks, swap them for diet versions. Eventually, you will learn to enjoy these healthier options. Small changes are what will take you to the finish line.
Exercise
Finally, eating healthy food is only part of the solution. You can eat all the chicken and broccoli in the world, but you will still feel sluggish and lacklustre if you live a sedentary life. Consider going to the gym a couple of times a week or jogging. Even walking for longer durations carries a lot of health benefits. Not only will you be able to eat more (since you are burning extra calories), but having more muscle mass speeds up your metabolism, improves circulation and boosts your immunity.
It is always difficult to change your ways and give up unhealthy habits. You will likely start seeing progress by incorporating whole foods creatively and exercising, but only if you remain disciplined.
Written by Lana Hawkins
