I’ve been on this journey towards a fit life for a few months now. In the last week I’ve had people who don’t follow me on FB and aren’t aware of this journey mention how good I look. I’ve also had several people ask me what I’m eating or not eating as a result of seeing the changes in my weight. I’d love to say I have a magic plan to offer. I told someone that a lot of it is exercise more than diet, needless to say that wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear. But, even if you can’t exercise every day, you can make simple changes in your eating habits to get more healthy.
If you haven’t heard me say it before, don’t drink your calories! There is one exception to this rule, at least for me. If you regularly skip breakfast or the option is running through a fast food drive thru because you are running late to a meeting, work, or to pick up your kids, then I offer this option. Instead of skipping the most important meal of your day or giving in to your growling stomach by appeasing it with greasy fast food, drink a smoothie. I usually buy generic, store brand versions of slim fast already made vanilla shakes. I pour it and some frozen fruit in the blender and have a delicious and healthy meal in minutes. This is the only time I drink my calories. Otherwise, no soda, sweetened tea, coffee, or juice. Drink water every time you are thirsty, and then some more! If you currently drink your calories this way, I’m certain you can drop a few pounds by switching to drinking water only.
When I’m not replacing 1-2 meals a day with a smoothie, I’m cautious of my meals but not so much so that I’m counting calories. I do not eat bread any more. If I want a wrap I use low calorie ones (60 calories vs 150!). For sandwiches that can’t be made into a wrap, I use slimwiches. Which look like slimmed down bagels, these are actually very tasty. Choose the ones at the store with the lowest calorie per sandwich as possible. I’ve not found a brand I don’t like.
I’ve cut all meat except chicken out of my diet. This is for health reasons more than calories. I feel better when I don’t eat processed foods, you will too if you let yourself adjust to eating more cleanly.
Above all, replace chips and snacks with fruit. If I am hungry I will usually grab a banana or other fruit that we have on hand. If you love chips, a great healthy choice are Garden veggie chips. The brand we have allows you to eat 38 chips for only 130 calories. I usually get full around 20 chips, if not sooner.
So while I’m not doing any one diet plan, I’m changing the way I eat every meal so that I can continue to eat normal foods so that the changes last a lifetime. I know I can’t live on smoothies alone. I know I can lose weight doing so, but I don’t want to be on a liquid diet for the rest of my life. The important thing is adding healthy foods, lower calorie, and higher fiber options that keep you full so that you don’t feel like you are dieting.
I admit I cheat sometimes. Yesterday I had cookies and a fruit sundae. I’m not proud of it, but sometimes a girl has cravings and hormones force us to eat chocolate! Stress is a trigger for me and I know I have a tendency to cheat on days I feel overwhelmed. Try not to give in to these urges, but if you do, get back on track as soon as you feel like you can. Again, making it a lifestyle change and not a diet makes eating healthy a long-term effort.
If you pair healthy eating habits with at least 30 minutes of exercise a day you will be well on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Â When asked how I am doing it, the most important thing I say first, is that its not easy. Â I have to strive everyday to make the right choices. To choose to eat well and to exercise. Â There’s not an easy, quick way to lose weight that will help you achieve a healthy lifestyle. Â But you can make small changes that will lead to a healthier you. Â I highly recommend you join me on this journey. Â I’m not an expert on fitness by any means, but today I wore my sons shirt because mine was too baggy. Â I admit I’m not doing this perfectly, and even some days struggle a lot, but the results are well worth it.
