Simple tricks to a healthier lifestyle

I just wanted to share some of the helpful tricks I've come across that have helped me live a healthier lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight. I hope by sharing these it helps you to reach your goals as well. These are just easy adjustments that might take a little extra time and money but are so worth it!

I believe that we are incapable of "self control" and in order to eat properly we need to make sure those temptations aren't available to us. I have found the easiest way is to simply not buy the food you shouldn't eat and only buy foods that you can eat as much as you want of and not feel guilty. If your fridge is filled with vegetables and fruits, you will eat vegetables and fruits. If your freezer is filled with frozen fruit you will make smoothies, if it is filled with ice cream, you will eat ice cream. Simple enough.
To ensure you have the right food you have to start from scratch, so don't feel bad throwing out the bad food! Don't make excuses like, "it was expensive, I can't waste" and "I will start once I finish what's there first". Because as soon as you make one excuse you find room to make another and another.
So I'm giving you permission to waste all that bad food that is hurting your body.

Stop buying packaged foods and avoid any food that has a long expiration date or that doesn't expire. That should worry you!

Try to eat food that has ONE ingredient.

So once you have emptied out your fridge and pantry do a little research. Find recipes from health food blogs, fitness magazines, health food cookbooks. Be wary of cookbooks too because just because it's in a cookbook doesn't mean you should be eating it! This isn't about dieting and losing a few pounds, this is about your long term health.

Ignore that lie that as long as you workout you can eat whatever you want. There are tons of "skinny" people out there who are killing their bodies by what they eat. It's not just about the weight. It's more about the parts that you can't see that matter. Start from the inside and work your way out and you will not only get a better result but a permanent one!

Also start making yourself aware of food. That guilt that you feel and try to ignore is there for a reason, don't ignore it! Your body is telling you that you shouldn't have it! I encourage that feeling in my own life because I know that when I look at that second brownie I want it to be able to be easy to say no because the first one made me feel guilty enough. Sure it's ok to cheat every now and then but make sure you are feeling guilty about it, that way you don't take advantage of that excuse!

Make sure you are menu planning every week and if you can grocery shop once a week. I do my big shopping for my meats and misc house stuff on the 15% days but my fruits and veggies I buy weekly so I make sure I am buying just enough for that week and I'm not wasting any. If you know what you are going eat everyday then you are less likely to get off track. I have a list of easy lunches and breakfasts right in my kitchen and I just pick which ever one I feel like that day and make it. If you are menu planning you are not only eating healthier but you will save tons of money at the grocery store.

When you are grocery shopping make sure you only buy what's on you list! Stick to the perimeter of the store and start your shopping on the opposite end of the entrance.

Don't buy chips, cookies, packaged snacks, pop, donuts, ice cream etc. because once you have them at home you won't have the "self control" to not eat them. Don't fool yourself, no one does. It's so simple, if you don't buy it, you won't eat it.

If you need to buy salad dressing make sure you are buying it in the refrigerated section. They expire faster and they usually have way less sodium and sugar that the dressings in the dry isle. The dressings in the dry isle usually last at least a year and that is the kind of thing we want to avoid.

 A great trick my mother in law told me about was mixing a little bit of fat free vanilla yogurt with your plain greek yogurt to give it a little sweetness. I can usually eat it plain but this is a great way to get my son to eat greek yogurt without all the sugar. Those flavored greek yogurts are very high in sugar and you don't want to start your day off with sugar, thats why so many people are so tired at the end of the day.




 Have almonds always within reach. They help curb chocolate cravings and are a easy guilt free anytime snack.



Natural peanut butter and almond butter are a staple in our home! Make sure when you buy them the only ingredient you should see is peanuts or almonds. They are a great source of protein and you can make a simple pb&j on your way out the door so you aren't tempted to drive through a fast food restaurant. I also read that it's great to make a sandwich before you go on a flight so you don't buy any unhealthy, expensive food in the airport or on the plane. You can't bring liquid but you can bring snacks!

 Pre-portioned smoothie mixes with frozen fruit, spinach, avocado, flax seeds and yogurt is a great way to ensure you have a healthy, tasty snack on hand. I bought the magic bullet to make cleanup easy. I also froze vanilla greek yogurt in ice cube trays to add sweetness and protein to my smoothies. If you like them really sweet add some agave nectar!