Does your New Years resolution involve getting healthy every year? Mine always involves some diet that I think will help me get healthy. Last year when I quit doing low carb for the third time, I changed my approach to getting healthy. I decided to stop dieting and start focusing on becoming a healthy person through changing my diet and lifestyle with small, easy habits that I add one at a time.
I spent 100 days focusing on my health. I worked on replaced overly processed foods with real food. I found easy ways to add more movement to my life doing things I actually love like gardening and walking outside. Getting healthy changed my life for the better, and it wasn't as intimidating as I thought because I started with one small change at a time.
Here is my non-diet approach to a healthy diet:
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them a great way to fill up without overeating. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Choose whole grains over refined grains. Whole grains are a good source of fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied after eating. Look for breads, pasta, and cereals that are made with whole grains. I also love sourdough bread and started making my own.
Limit processed foods. Processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium. When possible, choose fresh, unprocessed foods instead. My 10-day jump start challenge was to cut all overly processed foods out of my diet. It wasn't as hard as I thought with a little planning. I felt great and lost 7 lbs during those 10 days.
Eat lean protein. Lean proteins provide a good source of protein without a lot of unhealthy fats. Good sources of lean protein include chicken, fish, beans, and tofu.
Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for good health and can help you stay hydrated and feeling your best. Aim to drink eight glasses of water per day.
Limit sugar and artificial sweeteners. Limit your intake of sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sweetened tea and coffee. If you want to add some sweetness to a meal, use natural sweeteners like honey or agave.
Make small changes. Don't try to change your diet overnight. Start by making small changes, such as adding a serving of fruit to your breakfast or cutting back on sugary drinks. Over time, these small changes will add up to big results.
Planning is everything if you want to start developing good habits and being consistent with your healthy lifestyle.
If you are looking to improve your health, our guided journal 100 Days to Healthy can help you stay on track. It's packed with resources for building healthy habits and makes changing your lifestyle manageable by starting with small, easy changes.
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