"First we make our habits, then our habits make us"
- Charles C. Noble
Since being on my diet plan for the past 15 months, I have noticed that I have developed healthier habits in my life because of this plan. I think that following a weight loss plan of one's choice is a great undertaking; however, there is more to consider than just going on a diet. Behaviourally speaking, when you do something over & over again, that thing becomes habitual. It is beneficial to cultivate healthy habits when you want to lose weight. Today's blog has a focus on developing eight healthy habits that will go hand and hand with your weight loss goals and plans.
1. Variety: I have found that I tend to eat the same thing for breakfast every morning. I don't mind that, but I feel it is a better habit to add variety to your menu. I have started to do this more and now it is becoming something I do all the time. One new thing I tried is jicama, a root like vegetable that has taken the place of potatoes for me. I'm also looking at new recipes in cookbooks to make sure I add more variety into my diet.
2. Food Log: I'll tell ya, I really don't like to do a food log, or food diary. I have gotten into the habit of writing everything I eat down and at what time I eat. Since I am on a plan where timing of foods is important, a food log keeps me on track. I also add water and vitamins taken and if I exercised to the log. To see this down on paper helps me to see how I am doing.
3. Planning: I cannot tell you how important it is to get into the mindset of planning. Weekly menus, grocery shopping, a time schedule and having what you need on hand is crucial to staying on plan. Also, plan to have a mindset of what you are to do if you find yourself going out to dinner, at a party or are traveling. Fostering good habits of planning will save you from sabotaging you and your diet.
4. Substitutions I am on a lower carb diet. I make food substitutions all the time. I make them at home, at restaurants and events. For example, I have sauteed spinach instead of pasta at Italian restaurants. I automatically say no rice, bread, potatoes, etc (may I have extra vegetables instead?) when dining out! This has become a second nature habit!!! This habit comes easily to me because I have been on this particular plan for such a long time now. I'll be truthful; I never had this kind of control in the past. I see now as I developed these habits, it just comes so naturally.
5. Healthy choices: I make the choice to exercise, to stay on my plan, to use truvia (sweetener) instead of sugar. I make my own salad dressings. I choose leaner meats and cheese than those higher in fat. I choose to live a healthy lifestyle because I know how good it feels to live this way.
6. Patience: Believe me, I'm not on any lose weight quick plan. I have developed the habit of patience to stay the course, slowly winning this race! I used patience to figure out this weight loss plan. I follow it religiously and can see and feel the results.
7. Exercise: I have learned that I need to exercise to lose weight. I make myself do it. It has become my "force of habit" to exercise more than I ever have in my life. I'll let you in a secret....I really don't love to exercise! But Nike tells me to "Just Do It" So I do what Nike says!!!
8. Long Term Lifestyle: I fully believe the diet plan I follow is my long term lifestyle for the rest of my life. I guess I said "I do" because I'm fully committed to my plan and I habitually do not waiver. I have made it my habit to follow the plan without cheating nor going off track. And, I do take this one step at a time, one day at a time.
It is my hope you can recognize the importance of developing good habits for your weight loss journey and begin to implement them in your daily life. I know the importance of changing bad habits into a good, healthy way of life changed my life and I know the same can happen for you.
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