Eating Healthy is possible for busy families!

Dieting NEVER works!!

Ok, ok, don’t bombard the comments telling me that you lost 10 pounds on your diet.  Yes, I’m perfectly aware that many diets will help you lose weight.  However, it’s a short term solution. Let’s be honest, the majority of people who do have success with diets will gain it right back.  And here’s the kicker…..most people gain back more than what they lost.  Conclusion, diets never work! Now if you are sitting there saying, “Hey! I lost 15 pounds and I kept it off!”  Congratulations!! You actually made the ‘switch’.  It’s important to know the difference.  If you truly want a healthier lifestyle then you need to make the change to that lifestyle and not just go on a diet.  I have failed miserably for years every time I tried to go on a diet or be healthy.  Reducing the amount of crap I ate wasn’t really going to help me achieve my skewed vision of a rockin body, haha! But that’s what I always did, because truly going to a healthy lifestyle was WAY too difficult.  I was too busy working, running around with my 3 kids, and trying to manage life.  There was no way I could make all of those crazy meals, buy all of those ingredients (most I had never even heard of) and give up any of my indulgences that I loved.  Nope, not happening.  I’ll just keep riding the roller coaster diet and hope for the best.  Sound like you? This was me…..for a very long time.  And anyone who knows me, knows that I love to snack and drink wine.  Therefore, I was automatically out.  You can’t possibly live a healthy lifestyle with those indulgences.  Well my friends, I am here to tell you that you actually can!  Better than that, I’ll help you get started!

It Doesn’t happen overnight

This is a process! Too often we get on a “health kick” and we run out and buy every healthy thing we can think of.  We end up with a fridge full of food that we can’t pronounce, and we will never eat.  We found a few recipes to try, and even if we end up making those, which we probably won’t, we are still left with all that crazy food that we will never use again.  And…..well, that health kick is over.  Don’t worry, you’ll try again in a few months.  No, you won’t change anything.  It’ll pretty much go exactly as before.  Why? Because we are dumb, HA!  No really, we kind of are.  We keep doing the same thing expecting different results.  Here’s a tip: WORK BACKWARDS!

START HERE!

There are ways to be successful with this switch.  Here’s the kicker…..you can even do it if you are busy AND have children.  Yes, you heard that correctly…..you can incorporate a healthy lifestyle even if you have kids.  Part of my past failures were due to the fact that I just didn’t have time to make these fancy, uber healthy meals for my husband and I, and then make an entirely different meal for the kids.  Because let’s be honest, some of those meals are just not realistic for families.  More on the kid topic at another time.

If you are serious about this then the first thing you are going to need to do is avoid looking up recipes.  Sounds crazy, right?  Think about it, isn’t that what you’ve always done? Look up the fancy recipes with the ingredients that are so out of the ordinary that it takes you an hour to find them at the store.  So let’s not do that little process again, ok?  Your first step is to think about what it is you want to change in your eating habits.  Then start preparing.  If you want to eat less processed food and incorporate more clean foods then prepare for that.  Go through your pantry and refrigerator and get rid of some things that goes against what you are trying to achieve.  Now, be practical…..think of your whole family.  Don’t just go on a rampage and toss it all (I’ve done that…not good).  You need to be realistic and consider your family’s needs, and whether or not the whole household is in on this adventure with you. With us, my husband and I really focused on ourselves, and have slowly adjusted the kids eating habits.  They won’t appreciate it if you take away their Oreos and Doritos and replace them with kale and quinoa.  You’ll have a revolt on your hands!

After you have eliminated what you can from the house, start adding in foods that do go along with your goals.  Show restraint here folks! Don’t slip into old habits and buy out the entire organic section of the produce department.  Think of one or two easy switches to make at first.  Maybe, choose a few of your favorite fruits and veggies and go buy them, but make it organic.  You will be shocked how much better organic produce tastes. Especially the fruit….YUM!  You could also start by trying one or two new foods like quinoa or brown rice.  These are doable changes that are easy to stick with.  You’ll feel better about what you are eating, and you haven’t filled your entire fridge and pantry with food that is completely foreign to you.  This is a great time to get your kids to try something new as well.  Without removing their favorite things just have them try something new.  A little tip, you don’t need to tell them that it’s super healthy.  Kids are funny like that.

Stay consistent

Continue this process gradually and you will soon find that the majority of what you are eating fits into your goal.  Remember to not deprive yourself.  There are still lots of cravings I still have.  I just know how to attack them in a healthier way.  I personally love to snack on salty, crunchy treats.  I now snack on nuts, kale chips (surprisingly yummy), or organic popcorn popped in coconut oil! Wine?? Yup, that’s still on the list… hehehe!
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