Over the last year, I went through more than three months of extreme illness just to realize I had to eat better and exercise. Lesson learned. Since that time, I’ve lost 40 pounds and am beyond committed to keeping my body healthy — after all, it’s the only one I have.
Lifestyle changes are not easy. However, there are ways to make it easier and less drastic. Here are five tips that have worked well for our family:
1. Be Prepared: This one is KEY. Half the problem with healthy food is that it’s not easy to grab when you’re in a hurry or just want a snack. I buy all my produce and get it “snack ready.” I buy it all on Sunday and then put it into snack bags or bowls that are ready to be eaten throughout the week. I make berry bowls full of different berries, and sometimes I make melon snack bags filled with cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon. Then, instead of reaching for chips, I reach for a berry bag!
2. Get Rid of the Junk: If you have a serious weakness for something, quit buying it. No one is forcing you to eat it, and likely the person putting it in your pantry is you. This one takes some self control!
3. Try New Things: Eating healthily requires you to think outside the box. For example, I made zucchini spaghetti the other day and it was amazing. Never in my life did I think I would be doing that! But I can’t eat pasta and I was craving it, so I Googled around only to find this amazing zucchini spaghetti recipe that worked like a charm! Think ahead and spend time collecting healthy recipes. That’s what makes Pinterest so great — you can create your own online cookbook full of new, healthy recipes!
4. Try Water Again: I was living on Diet Coke for a long time. My anxiety was through the roof and I didn’t realize I was fueling it daily with caffeine. I stopped cold turkey. I went from drinking a minimum of three cans of pop a day to none. Just like that, it was over. Why? Because I was sick, and I was floored to find out that what I put into my body was causing it. If plain water isn’t your thing, try water flavorings you can add to make it taste better. Get a cool water bottle and keep it with you!
5. Keep it in Season: If you want to save money and get the best-tasting fruits and veggies, be sure to buy them in season. There is a good time and a not-so-good time to buy produce–plan your menu around that. You’ll be eating healthy, saving money and you’ll be trying new things which, believe it or not, is a good thing! Click here to find out what fruits and vegetables are in season right now.
I know it’s not easy. In some ways, I feel blessed that my body forced me to change because I was not heading down a good path. Now, I’m happier, I feel more energized and I can handle life even better than before. Plus, I just bought size 10 pants! Seriously, I haven’t been a size 10 since I was in college! I’m happy about that. No more excuses — it’s time to get out there and get healthy!
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