How to stay consistent

One of the hardest things about beginning a healthier lifestyle is being consistent.

Perhaps you have never really thought about your eating habits and never really had the desire to change them.  Now, you are feeling overwhelmed and defeated before you have even started.  That's NORMAL!

I have been a yo-yo dieter for the last 20 years.  I would eat what I thought was "healthy" for a few weeks or even a couple months and then would revert right back to my ways once I hit my goal.

After 20 years of this I realized it wasn't working.  I needed something that would not overwhelm me and something that would help me to stay consistent.  I knew I need to make this a lifestyle change rather than a temporary fix.

At the very end of August of this year I decided to make that change.  I have changed my eating habits and have incorporated this into my family's menu as well.  We still have our "cheat meal" or as I like to call them "fun meals" once a week.  I no longer look at it as a restrictive lifestyle, instead, I am still eating my favorite meals, but cleaner versions.

I love chicken, hamburgers, bread, eggs, potatoes, pasta, etc.  Basically, I love food.  Cooking is my stress-relief.  I love making new recipes and trying new things.  Not everyone does and that is OK, too. You can still live a healthier lifestyle and eat clean without spending hours in the kitchen.

One thing that has really helped me is being a part of Beachbody challenge groups.  I have consistently been a challenger since August 25th, 2015.  This helps to hold me accountable with a group of women who are also trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.  We share recipes, our struggles, our success.  We build each other up.  We hold each other accountable and support one another.

Planning is KEY! Once a week I sit down with my husband (or do brainstorming on my own) and think of what meals I want to eat for the week.

For example, last night we decided on whole wheat lasagna rolls, roasted potatoes, spinach salads, and ground turkey stuffed peppers.  I went grocery shopping for those specific items and spent today preparing them for the week.  I also make sure I make a list of snacks for the week and breakfast items. I always like to keep greek yogurt on hand along with apples, bananas, and grapes.

If I know I have a busy week ahead of me, I will make a crockpot meal that cooks itself.  It saves me time in the kitchen and allows me to get other things done around the house.  I also love frozen vegetables.  I have always struggled with steaming vegetables, so frozen broccoli is my thing! Pop a bag in the microwave for 6-8 minutes and you have your 2 servings cooked and ready to eat!

Set small goals --> Try not to overwhelm yourself with a long list.  Maybe for the first week you decide to stick to you meal plan.  Perhaps week 2 you focus on your water intake.  Week 3 maybe you will try a new dish or make sure you get all of your workouts in.

Find a healthy support system --> my husband supports me and my healthy lifestyle, but he is also guilty of eating what he wants when he wants and no, it's not usually "clean".  If you need an accountability partner I am your girl :)

Write a positive reminder to yourself --> Write on a post it or notecard WHY you are doing this or something like, "This will be MY year" or "You are CAPABLE of more than you know."  A few positive words that YOU write down that are POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING are going to change your mindset in ways you cannot imagine.

Change does not occur overnight.  You WILL make mistakes.  You WILL fail, but fail FORWARD.  Don't give up.  Stay consistent.  If you need that candy bar that you've been craving and can't get it out of your head then EAT IT.  Eat it and enjoy it.  It's the 80/20 rule.  Do not deprive yourself.  You deserve to enjoy food, but make it once a week instead of everyday.

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