Forget the all-or-nothing approach and try these simple steps.
Often when we decide to lose weight or get healthy we want to change everything at once. But we’re creatures of habit and we’re most comfortable when things stay the same, which is why it’s so hard to change everything. So my advice is to start with baby steps and gradually switch to a healthy lifestyle.
Let’s look at 5 easy ways to switch to a healthy lifestyle.
1. Change your focus.
We’re often so focused on what we’re going to miss out on, that we forget to look at everything we have to gain by living a healthy lifestyle. I love nothing more than hanging out with my grandchildren and I know that the unhealthy Annette would not have been able to enjoy the fun times spent with these very energetic kids. Look ahead with optimism and hope.
TIP: Think of something that will motivate you to keep going on the days it all seems too hard. Write it on a sticky note and put it on the fridge or bathroom mirror.
2. Add more healthy food.
If you’re not ready to fully commit to eliminating all the unhealthy stuff, just start adding healthy food. Include a sliced banana on top of your cereal in the morning. Make a salad for lunch instead of grabbing a pie. Reach for a piece of fruit instead of a chocolate bar when you need a pick-me-up.
Another great step forward is instead of making your usual go-to dinner, make it out of my cookbooks. For example, you might normally make a high-fat Stroganoff, but instead, make my version from book 2 (it’s also in Cooking for 1 or 2 People), so instead of 30g of fat for dinner, you’re now only having 4.2g of fat.
TIP: Write a dinner menu each week and include some healthy options from my cookbooks.
3. Drink more water.
Do you regularly consume high-calorie soft drinks, flavoured milk, fruit juice or milky coffees? Make a rule to drink a glass of water before you reach for any of these, aim for 8 glasses of water a day.
TIP: Take a water bottle with you wherever you go.
4. Get outdoors each day.
Do some gardening, take a stroll around the block or head to the local park and soak up some fresh air and sunlight. If you get the urge to walk a bit further, do it, but don’t force yourself to do more than you feel up to, the key is to enjoy the extra activity and then gradually add to it.
TIP: Do what works best in your schedule, I prefer to walk in the morning but after work is also a great way to relieve stress from your day.
5. Get an early night.
Many people who are overweight eat the bulk of their calories after dark. So rather than staying up late munching on snack foods, get an early night and reap the rewards of feeling refreshed and in a better mood the next morning. It will be easier to make healthy choices and resist temptation when it’s put in front of you plus.
TIP: Set a regular bedtime and stick to it. (Plus eat at regular intervals during the day to avoid bingeing a night)
How to break bad habits
Breaking bad habits is a matter of switching to a better alternative and, as I mentioned earlier, it’s better to gradually change things… and then one day you realise this is your new normal.
When I was overweight, I’d skip breakfast, drop the kids at school and then head to the bakery to grab something to eat. Needless to say, I’d never dream of doing that these days. As I changed the food I ate, my tastes changed and I no longer craved those unhealthy foods – it’s my new normal. These days I’ll take a punnet of blueberries over a cream bun any day – Winning!
Need more tips? Check out my Slimming Success Mini eBook for more simple ways to get started with weight loss – it includes a menu for a day and 3 bonus recipes to get you started.
A final word on making the switch to a healthy lifestyle.
If committing to all 5 of the steps above is too much, commit to one this week and add another one next week. And hopefully, by the end of the month, you’ll be feeling the benefits of these small steps you’ve made towards the switch to a healthy lifestyle.
Want more support?
Consider whether my mentoring program is right for you. You don’t have to do this on your own, let me help you. After the initial joining fee of $99, it’s just $19.95 per month to stay a member until you can get the weight off. Find out more HERE.
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