March is nutrition month and nutrition is an area where I have struggled throughout my life. From trying crazy diets to signing up for countless programs, I have come to realize it’s simply about being more of a mindful eating.
I chatted with a registered dietitian about this and we discussed how it’s important to really be mindful and present when eating your meals. So this week, I kicked off the new month with a new mindset. I’m not counting calories. I’m not obsessing or labeling any food as ‘bad’. Instead, I’m enjoying and savoring real foods again! I struggle Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD), but it lifts when the days get longer and when I take better care of myself (including eating foods that boost my wellbeing).
This image shows some tips that you can follow – but here are some of the strategies that I’ve used to help:
- Trying new recipes with healthy fats and proteins (very filling and satisfying)
- Listening to affirmations to shift my mindset
- Making my meals a ritual – making my meals look pretty, sitting at the table, using the ‘good’ dishes, etc.
- Drinking water at least 2 times your body weight in ounces
- Staying alcohol free – alcohol is empty calories and makes it so your liver has to metabolize that before anything else. I also lead a group to help others to #LoseDaBooze if you feel you need to make a change in this area
- Making sure I move more – aiming for 8,000 steps a day and setting a reminder to move every hour as I have a desk job (the physical activity just goes hand in hand with healthy eating)
- No eating after dinner and what helps is brushing/flossing my teeth after my last meal of the day to mark the end of eating
- Food journaling with photos which is so much fun compared to trying to track in those apps; I’m not counting macros or calories and posting in my FREE Healthy4Life360 Group on Facebook; community / group support is key to success!
My journey is a process and I’ve learned so much over the years, including knowing that everyone is unique and what works for one may not work for another. This is why it’s so important to be mindful and really tune into your body. Also using the H.A.L.T. (checking in with yourself to see if you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired) analogy before picking anything up.
What tips work best for you? I’d love to hear from you – click the Contact Me form or consider booking a FREE discovery call with me! Please consider following/liking my Public Facebook Page for daily motivational posts relative to Wellness 360.