The New Year is upon us. If you are like most people, you have probably already started setting goals and making resolutions for 2010. But don’t set yourself up to fail. Be gentle with yourself. Most of us have unrealistic expectations when it comes to food and nutrition. So let’s look at some tips to keep it simple for the next 364 days:
- Have 1-2 cheat meals per week rather than a cheat day. You won’t feel so guilty by overdoing it.
- If reducing caloric intake for weight loss, don’t confuse thirst for hunger.
- If you are not satiated, try a glass of filtered water before eating. In other words, listen to your body.
- If you want to make changes to your diet, start gradually.
- Try omitting processed foods for a few weeks, then sugar, and so on, until you reach optimal eating.
- Be accountable.
- Choose a Nutrition Buddy. For example, team up with someone at Windy City CrossFit (WCCF) for Work Out of the Day (WOD) on a regular basis. Together, we can move mountains.
- Don’t load up at the local health food store on lots of expensive supplements that promise perfection and ultimate fitness.
- If you eat compulsively, don’t keep trigger foods around the house and tell yourself it will be different this year.
- If you want a treat every now and then, go out and enjoy a moderate portion with someone you love.
- If you found yourself eating donuts by the dozen in 2009, it will be equally difficult to have just one in 2010.
- Don’t think that if you reduce your overall fat intake, you will necessarily lose weight or be healthy. Fat is not the villain people assume it is. Taking in healthy fat actually helps you to maintain a healthy weight.
- Overtraining is not the answer to overeating.
- Eat whole, natural foods.
- Use only traditional fats and oils, including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller-expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils (coconut and palm).
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
- Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
- If you cannot pronounce an ingredient on a package, don’t eat it.
- Try and focus on a life change with food and nutrition, not a quick fix just to loose a few pounds. I work with a huge number of clients that tell me they plan to start with the Atkins diet, just to jump start things, and then they will get started on a nutrition plan.
- Show up to WCCF. Show up to WCCF. Show up to WCCF. Make this your mantra. It will help you to achieve your health and weight loss goals. Justin and the rest of the crew will be very happy.
- And Finally - Burpees make you fat. (Just Kidding)Have a Wonderful New Year!
