How many times have you set out a goal of sticking to a new healthy regime but always losing motivation or not sticking to it after a week or two? So, you’ve stocked up on all the healthy foods you can think of, scheduled all your workouts and you’ve even invested in a new gym wear. Now What? Keep reading to find out our 5 top tips that you can realistically implement and commit to and see the results you really want. These are all proven but simple ways in which you can stick to a healthy diet which will soon become routine. This will help you become the healthiest you have ever been.
1. Break away from black and white thinking
Constantly judging yourself on whether you have had a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ day of eating or even for having that one bar of chocolate that you have been eyeing up for the past two days. This judgement will not prevent you from making poor choices, it will only increase it. Try to put the past behind you and move on from that one ‘bad’ choice you made or the curry you ate at the weekend. A few poor choices make very little difference in the long term. In fact, still eating the foods you want in moderation will help you stay on track more as long as you balance them over a sustained period of time.
2. Start with a realistic expectation
Eating healthily and maintaining this has so many benefits. Having realistic expectations on how you are going to achieve this increases your chances of keeping up with it. It has been shown that the higher your expectations are the higher risk of stopping any plan within the first 12 months of starting it. A good way of setting realistic goals to work your way towards healthier eating is to set SMART goals. This stands for; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. By creating goals this way, you will increase your success rate of achieving this goal. In fact, this can be used in pretty much any aspect of your life!
3. What motivates you?
Remind yourself daily why you are making healthy choices, this can help you stay on track with your goals. Try making yourself a list of reasons why you want to be healthier and get this list out whenever you feel like you are having a weak moment. Try keeping it on your phone so it is easily accessible all the time.
4. Keep unhealthy foods out of the house
Ever heard the term ‘out of sight, out of mind’? Keeping these foods out of sight will increase your chances of staying on track rather than coming in after a hard day and reaching straight for the goodie cupboard. If you are surrounded by junk food, it will be difficult to not want to eat it, especially when the temptation is there. If your friends and family like these foods and still eat them, try and keep them hidden to avoid temptation.
5. Get someone to do it with you!
Eating healthily can be tough on your own. Having someone join you on your healthy eating can increase the likelihood of success. Research from over 3,000 couples found that when one person made a positive lifestyle change, the other was likely to follow suit. Having someone else can be helpful especially if they are your partner or spouse as you can adopt these behaviours together.
Remember, it takes 66 days (on average) to form a new habit. Don’t be upset if it takes you that little bit longer, try and stay motivated and focused as soon it’ll all become second nature. Figure out what works for you as there is no perfect way of eating that is going to work for everyone. Once you have found that balance for yourself, it will be sustainable. The best healthy diet is the one you can stick to long term. The last thing is to remember that it needs to be enjoyable!