Eating Healthy
**The following information has been compiled from my own experiences, my reading, and studying as a Personal Trainer and Holistic Life Coach.**
Fresh is best. Try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and often as possible. If you cannot use fresh ingredients, frozen is your next best option.
More is less. Try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day. This can be challenging so start by slowly reducing the portions of your meals. It will get easier to eat less food each meal, but more meals over time.
Appreciate your food. Try slowly decreasing intake of salt and other excessive seasonings. Learn to appreciate the taste of your foods without masking them with excessive flavors and dressings.
Build your own program. Instead of focusing on all the different advice on how to build your diet (food diagrams, fad diets,etc.) make sure you vary your foods daily. Try all the different colors in the vegetable and fruit groups. Everything standard does not work for everybody. Discover the healthy foods that you enjoy and give you satisfaction.
Enjoy your food! If you take the time when eating to truly enjoy the food, you are more likely to be satisfied and not over eat. Take the time between bites to savor the flavor and chew the food.
Plan your meals. Take the time to plan your meals and snacks for a week at a time. If you know ahead of time what you are eating it makes it easier to stick to your healthy eating habits and achieve your goals. I have found that when I am in a crunch and do not have any idea what I have in the kitchen this is when I fall to junk food or other less desirable eating habits.
Get help and support. Invite your friends and family to go on your healthy eating journey with you. This will help everyone to stay motivated and achieve desired goals so much easier than trying to go through alone.
Set reasonable goals. Do not expect to change yourself or your eating habits overnight. Write out a 4-6 week plan and outline small changes to focus on each week. If you have not met your goal each week do not get discouraged, just refocus your energy on accomplishing that goal. You may also need to reevaluate the goal to make sure it is reasonable to accomplish in the period you have given yourself.
Love yourself!! it does not matter how drastic you change your eating habits or anything else about yourself. If you do not first love and accept yourself you will not be satisfied with any change you experience. Accept and celebrate who you already are and then began working on making changes to be a healthier version of yourself.
**Always consult your physician before starting any exercise regimen if you have any serious conditions or illnesses. This information does not take the place of your physician’s advice or opinions**
For help on your personal journey of finding self or improving your fitness please visit my website: Hadassah’s Retreat
Success and blessings to you on your personal journey,
Jasmine Balom