I hope that
is this day and age of information overload we all realize that health and
wellness is not only affected by physical fitness but also by what we eat. As a
matter of fact, most experts understand that what we eat and how we eat is even
more important than exercising as it relates to getting healthy.
Habits are
routines of behavior that are repeated regularly and tend to occur
subconsciously. Eating habits are called that because that’s exactly what
they are… habits!
Many of us have developed poor eating habits over time because
it is easy and convenient to do so… no thought… no effort. We eat not to properly
fuel our bodies, but to curb a craving or want and the quick fix, fast fry,
chocolate covered, salt coated, chemically laced mass produced junk food
industry is tailor made AND MARKETED towards the North American lifestyle!
This is not
a revelation; we all know this and most of us should do something about it. But
again, there is the misconception that eating healthy is either too expensive
or too difficult.
When it comes to cost, you can be smart when shopping and eat
well for less, just a little research on your part will make it that much
easier. In regards to the difficulty of eating better, I’ve never said that
change doesn’t take some effort, but I do like to live by the K.I.S.S.
principle…Keep It Simple Stupid.
I’ve written
in a few of my previous blogs about the importance of incorporating small,
manageable goals when it comes to moving towards a larger overall target. This
exact same principle can be, and should be, applied to our daily eating habits.
A very easy way to make a big change over a 6 month period is to pick 6-8 major
things you want to change about your daily eating routine. However, instead of
trying to make all the changes at once, incorporate 1 change at a time until
you get used to it, usually for about 3-4 weeks per step.
For example, a small
change could be “I am going to make sure I drink 6 glasses of water per day”.
Don’t deviate from this, you will get used to it and it too will become a habit. Suggestions could be; eat 2-3 pieces of fruit per day, eat at
least one serving of vegetables fresh or cooked, cut back on read meat, choose
grilled over fried at restaurants, use light mayo or none at all, ignore the
salt shaker, shop on the outside of the grocery store, eat whole grain breads
or pastas. This is a very basic list and it will be different for everybody. Again,
incorporate one of these steps every 3-4 weeks and in 6 months your entire
eating routine will be completely reformed!
One last
thing, I’m a big proponent of having a free day. This is a day (usually a
Saturday or Sunday) in which you can eat what you want. It not only satisfies
any cravings you may have throughout the week, but it allows you to stick with
your weekly routine because you can always use your free day as a reward.
Good luck,
eat well, be healthy and stay awesome!
Peter Courtney is a personal fitness trainer and director of sales with 360fit in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He lives in Sackville with his wife Carmelle and step daughters Lauren and Jenna.
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