When we first started the change of eating healthier in our family we thought it was going to be so much harder than it really is. Why.... because change is hard.
" Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living a dream."-Peter McWilliams
I met my Husband and Bonus Daughter 8 yrs ago and right away started making little changes. These changes came easier to me because I had just had my gallbladder out and was already making some healthier decisions for myself.
Tip Number 1: Eliminate foods that make your tummies upset.
Pop, Spaghetti O's, and Doritos were some of the first foods to go. Start paying attention to how you or your children feel after eating certain foods. Upset tummies, bad sleep, or bad attitudes...mark it down and elimiate them. Don't even get me started on all the horrible food colorings in these items...that's another blog. My children now know red 40 makes them feel bad and sugar gives them "sugar crashes". My son will choose to put down the sweet after a couple of bites because he doesnt want the stomach ache that comes with it.
Tip Number 2: Drink more water. Pretty simple..Buy a Water glass, Mug, or Sippy cup you love. Do this for every family member and keep them filled. It works. We fill them at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime we are in the car.
Tip Number 3: Clean out your cupboards.
Start eliminating foods that you know are a "temptation". Junk food, Chips, Chocolate, and Popcorn. If you don't have it, then it is no longer an option in your choices.
Tip Number 4: Delete the Apps. All of the Mcdonalds, Taco Bell, Different kind of delivery apps..delete them. They put bad food at a push of a finger length away at all times. Once you stop using them you will most likely lose weight and save money.
Tip Number 5: Make "treats"... treats again. A big part of most people's social world is food related and having items regularly that use to be treats or eaten on special occasions. This includes pizza nights, ice cream stops, and especially fast foods drive thoughs. Save these treats for once or twice a month instead of daily/weekly.
Tip Number 6: Find foods to transition to. When my son was little he use to get cereal every morning because it was something he could feed himself..which we love as parents. So I started slowly and cut back to serving him cereal two times a week. I started making scrambled eggs every morning and then one day 6 months later completely cut out cereal and for 5 years now my family is use to eating eggs for breakfast . They wake up every morning and are ready for those eggs.. they expect and love them now.
Tip Number 7: Start working in other foods and making them a staple. Some Kind of Protein/Meat, Cottage Cheese, Salads, Plain Greek Yogurt, Bluberrries,
Strawberries, and Especially Eggs are in every single grocery order. Every day one of the these items is being eaten at least once a day by a family member.
Tip Number 8: Eats different snacks. When we first met we both loved mint chocolate chip icecream and I baked chocolate chip cookies REGULARLY. Now the snacks we offer throughout the day include: String Cheese, Apples, Oranges, Applesauce, Jerky, Crackers, Protein Balls, Dried Fruits, Nuts, and Pretzels. Switch over one thing at a time if you need to. With us our children just loved the diverse amount they could choose from as apposed to just having their fruit snacks or cookies like before. It's kind of like giving them a dollar versus 100 pennies. They will always choose the coin because it looks like more.
Tip Number 9: Home make as many products as you possibly can. Invest in a bread maker, start making simple crackers, dehydrating your own fruit or meat for snacks, and make dinner at home. There are so many preservatives in boxed foods and fast foods. The less you eat...the better you will feel, and you WILL DROP SOME WEIGHT.
Tip Number 10: STOP DRINKING COFFEE
I know I just got a ton of wide eyes and "no ways", but just hear me out for a second. I was addicted to Mountain Dew in my 20's. Then as I got older I started drinking coffee with my Husband. It was an "activity" we liked doing together on a morning off. I also loved the fancy coffees with tons of added sugars and fake chemical flavorings, and of course whipped topping. Then when we would have a litter of puppies or big project we were going to complete it became an around the clock drink. Hot coffee turned to ice coffee. My stomach was rotting, my headaches were bad, and my poop stopped pooping(regular bowels movements were no longer a thing). Not to mention the weight I had put on...because of all the additives I was putting in my coffee.
Regular use of more than 600 mg of caffeine a day can cause long-term effects such as sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, more anxiety, and stomach acidity. It can also increase blood pressure, and if you already have high blood pressure, it can get worse.
I had a friend of mine that was posting about a drink that improves gut health and I decided it was time to better myself.
So I bought it, had it delivered and tried the first few days. After 4 days I was no longer drinking coffee, (it has now been 6 months with no coffee) my water intake trippled and I feel better than I ever have.
If Tips 1-9 seem intimidating at the moment, then just start on yourself first. Try the product and kick the coffee. BE SELFISH. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
If you wish to make this small change that with show big results for yourself please contact me. I can help you transition into a healthier lifestyle. Please Click the "Contact Us" picture below.
Or if you would like to make a change and do not need assistance please click below.
Which Heathier Lifestyle Tips will YOU try today? Wilson Wonders
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