Happy New Year! On the first of January did you resolve to cut chocolate (or booze or chips) out of your life for good? Or at least for January? Or this week? Or...damn it, just for one day?
Kick Restrictive Resolutions to the Curb!
Resolutions based on strict restrictions are doomed to fail and the take the pleasure out of eating (and life). Instead, I recommend setting intentions to live a strong, vibrant, healthy life that include fueling your body with nourishing food so you can be your BEST YOU!
So, instead of taking something away from yourself with a negative, punishing goal like cutting out chocolate for January, refocus on the positive and think about adding in foods (or activity) that makes you feel good.
How about a positive goal like:
I’m going to prepare some good-for-me snacks so the healthy choice is the easy choice.
OR
I’m going to add some fruit or vegetables at breakfast every day.
OR
I’m going to go for a walk at lunch every day at work.
At some point, we’ve all tried the “all or nothing” and ended up with, ahem, doing nothing. Instead, start with a few small steps and simple actions that you know you can stick with. Once you’ve got those underway, gradually add in a couple more. Build slowly.
Set Up For Success.
Set your self up for success by stocking your kitchen with quality, whole foods that you can use to create good-for-you meals and snacks most of the time. And include foods like good chocolate without guilt — they are just food, and shouldn’t come with a serving of shame.
Here are some of the foods I have on hand in my kitchen all the time:
Veggies – all sorts of veggies including fresh, frozen and canned (tomatoes)
Fruit – fresh, frozen (great for smoothies) and dried (cherries are my fave)
Whole grains (e.g. oats, barley, quinoa), breads, pastas and crackers
Nuts, seeds, and nut butters
Roasted chickpeas
Eggs – hardboiled are always ready for snacking
Lean meats – turkey, chicken, beef are all in my freezer right now
Fish frozen and canned (Italian tuna and sardines)
Legumes (e.g. chickpeas, black beans) and lentils
Hummus – a couple of varieties usually
Edamame (it’s always in my freezer and tofu is often in my fridge)
Dairy: milk or plant-based alternatives, cheese, Greek yogurt, kefir.
Oh, and of course, there is always chocolate in my kitchen. Always.
Stay Positive. Keep Focused.
Start 2018 with a positive! Take one small step towards building a super diet to power a super you!
What’s one positive action or nourishing food you will add into your day today?
Vibrantly Yours,
Shannon