8 Tips To Help You Stay Motivated To Eat Healthy
If making better food choices to eat healthy was as easy as knowing what to do, then we would just do it all the time and be at our goals by now! When it comes to eating healthy or exercising regularly what keeps us stuck in the same old place over and over again? Why do we lose our motivation?
When we start to make changes we always want to see results straight away. When changing something that should ideally last us a lifetime it is clear why changing our diet or exercise routine can take longer than expected.
It takes patience and consistency. There is some solid and good foundation behind it. We need to learn how to deal with different cravings, social situations, eating out, emotional triggers and stress. If you don’t see the results you want soon, don’t give up! Make small sustainable changes.
Stay Motivated To Eat Healthy
Making the choice to eat healthy on a consistent basis can be difficult. Here are 8 tips to help you stay motivated:
Set Small Measurable Goals
Pick small goals that you are able to measure and set a date of when you would like to achieve them by. Be mindful if you try and change everything at once, it can create so much overwhelm you don’t even start in the first place!
If you feel overwhelmed just focus on 3 things, master them and move onto the next 3.
Keep A Food Diary
Writing down everything you eat makes you very aware of what you are putting in your mouth. Sometimes you don’t realise how many small bits are in your day and how much it can add up to!
You can handwrite everything, keep a track in the notes section of your phone or there are apps like MyFitnessPal which you could use.
Keep Nutritious Snacks On Hand
Preparation is key! Having a piece of fruit, fresh veggies, a boiled egg or a handful of nuts on hand will help you stay on track. When we go shopping when we are hungry we can sometimes buy unhealthy foods and more of them! Always take a healthy snack with your everywhere you go, just in case!
Remove Tempting Foods
If you are unable to have any will power when it comes to certain foods, avoid buying them altogether. If someone else in your house is buying them ask them to hide them from you. Out of sight, out of mind.
Make It Enjoyable
Eating healthy doesn’t and shouldn't be boring. Include a wide variety of fresh whole foods in your diet to stop you from getting bored. At times deprivation can also backfire, if you want to eat some chocolate then it's ok, however just don’t sit down and eat the whole block! Watch your portion size!
Confront Your Fears
Its time to get real and start questioning your relationship with food. Food nourishes our mind, body and soul however there can be so many emotions connected to certain foods we eat. Don’t let fear paralyse you. Confront your fear and take the power back. Know that you can make a good decision.
Find Your Why
Why is it you want to eat healthy and change your eating habits? Get really clear on what you want and why you want it. Try to think who else besides yourself would benefit from the changes. Having this in mind during the tough times makes it easier to stick to the plan.
Find Your Support Network
You don’t have to do this alone. You could enlist the help of a paid professional like myself, get family, friends or an online community to help support you. Whoever it is, you need to clearly tell them your goals so they can keep you accountable.
If you have a set-back don’t let it keep you from working toward your goal. Don’t get down on yourself if you slip-up -just make sure your next meal is a healthy one! Find what works for you and remember small sustainable changes but the most important thing is just to get started!
Pam Hird helps women and men prioritise their health and wellbeing.
As a naturopath, nutritionist and personal trainer she helps them take control of their mental health and various health conditions through natural medicine and healthy lifestyle changes.
She gives realistic ways to help create a happier and healthier life.
You can meet Pam in her clinic in Brighton (Brisbane North) in Australia, for online/phone consultations, or catch her on Instagram and Facebook (links in footer below).