Happy 2019! I love a new year for a fresh, clean slate! However, it’s also a time when we are bombarded with messages and ads promoting the latest fad diet, detox or weight loss product, detox teas, etc. to help you “drop weight fast.” Diet culture is real and is rooted in shame instead of promoting body positivity, with the goal of selling products and quick fixes. There is a ton of information out there, so knowing the source and quality of the information is key (a.k.a. don’t believe everything you see or read)! It may not sound as sexy, but having a few tips to change your lifestyle into a healthy one will create greater change and sustainability for a healthier you as you head into the new year and beyond. Here are some tried and true tips for creating a healthy lifestyle change if you aren’t sure where to begin: 

• Evaluate your current diet, mood, energy level, digestion… What’s working for you and what isn’t? Are you noticing any food sensitivities or a sluggish feeling after eating a certain meal? Find out what’s holding you back and try switching it up to find foods that better serve you in going forward with your healthy lifestyle change. 

• Make a healthy eating plan weekly. At the beginning of the week, evaluate what you have in your fridge and assess what you need going forward to create healthy meals for you and your family. Plan out at least 3-4 nights of dinner meals, and create a few lunch ideas you can use a few times each. This will help make it easier when you’re in a pinch, and you’ll be less like to order takeout when you know your plan. Bonus if you meal prep some key ingredients such as pre- washing and chopping raw vegetables, roasting vegetables, cooking whole grains (i.e. brown rice + quinoa) and beans, and making a big pot of veggie soup! Having some staples pre-prepped makes it easier to put together a healthy lunch in 5 minutes to take with you to work.

• Check in with your cravings, especially for sugar. Going off of the first bullet, re-evaluate whenever you’re going for that 3pm sugar fix or nightly scoop (or two or three) of ice cream. Can you replace this habit with something healthier? This is usually a sign of blood sugar imbalance throughout the day, with highs and lows that are causing those refined carbohydrate or sugar cravings. Replace carbohydrate and sugar with blood sugar stabilizing choices such as fruit and nut butter, or veggies and hummus, and find that you’ll have less sugary cravings. Swap ice cream for some dark chocolate and raspberries at night, and try to cut it down to only a few nights per week!

• Hydration. Evaluate how much water you are drinking now. How can you add more water to your day? Do you wake up and immediately go for coffee? Try drinking water before coffee in the morning to hydrate your organs first thing in the morning, and keep track of your water drinking throughout the day. Add lemon for a vitamin C and antioxidant boost! I also love herbal teas and unsweetened seltzer to add to my water intake throughout the day to mix it up. 

• Focus on what you can ADD. I like to think less about restriction and more about abundance. What healthy foods can you ADD to your diet instead of thinking of what you should omit? Have a favorite dish you don’t want to give up? How can you add more vegetables to it and make it more nutritious? We are more likely to stick with a healthy lifestyle change when it doesn’t feel so restricted. Baby steps. If you don’t currently eat any greens, try adding greens to one meal each day, and ideally work up to 1/2 your plate vegetables at each meal!

• Make an exercise plan. Think about exercise activities that you actually ENJOY. How can you fit more of them into your week? I like to look at my planner on Sunday or Monday and write in my exercise plan for the week, making movement a priority before the week gets busy! Looking forward to the type of workouts you love will help you stick to your routine that much more! 

Enjoy this post? Tell me how you’ll begin creating a healthy lifestyle change! Small shifts over time can make a big difference in the long run. Happy New Year!