That Monday finally came, or the 1st of the month, when you decided and started to take care of your diet and pay attention to what you eat. Now that you’re on this path you want to take care of all possible temptations and circumstances which will prevent you to stay true to this kind of life. It is not easy when you know that too much work can tire you and exhaust any will to cook. Also, family dinners, parties and other festivities where there are plenty of fantastic dishes are going to be quite a challenge for you not only not to eat, but also not to insult the hosts with your dietary behavior. The good thing is that it doesn’t have to be that way. With just a few bits of advice, we can help you stay on your dietary plan and still be a great guest.
Plan ahead
If you know that your work schedule came in the way of eating properly several times before, then you should plan ahead and prepare your meals in advance. This won’t happen all the time, so you’ll still have the opportunity to try other recipes. For the situation in question, cook the meals which can be placed in a box and stored in the fridge to wait for you when you come back from work.
Breakfast IS important
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a myth, but scientific fact. It’s normal not to feel hunger in the morning, but it’s pointless not to eat. Breakfast will give you fuel to start the day and not overeat at lunch. If you’re unable to eat in the morning, drink a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon, do some light exercise or go for a walk, and you’ll be up for a generous breakfast with no problem.
Avoid fast food
There are no fast food meals in your new dietary plan. It’s not only a matter of gaining weight but also all the health hazards it entails. In order to prevent yourself from reaching for this quick fix, prepare a snack rich in protein and fiber to take with you, such as vegetables and nuts. You can also buy these in the shop if you forget to bring them from home. So there’s no excuse for why you’re still eating unhealthy.
Exercise and food go together
The most common mistake people tend to make is to restrict their diet drastically and then exercise like maniacs. Sure, you’ll lose weight but you’ll also endanger your health and be weaker and exhausted. In cases when you don’t eat or not eat enough before exercise, carry dextrose powder with you, it will recuperate you after physical exhaustion. Another good solution might be to have a protein shake ready with you to have before you start exercising.
Eat regularly
It’s not only important to eat, you also need to do it regularly, preferably at the same time of the day. Having a planned daily meal schedule seems impossible and is sometimes burdensome, but after a while, it becomes a routine and normal part of the day. Nutritionists say that the best way to eat for a healthy individual is at five-hour intervals, three times a day, with healthy snacks between the meals.
Cut yourself some slack
Yes, you are finally holding up to the decision to change your dietary habits for the better and you’re not planning to break that by having some unhealthy treats or food even once. Your will is commendable but don’t be so hard on yourself, and relax a bit. Avoiding social events because you’re on this healthy path is not a solution. It will only make you angry with your new way of life, and not proud of yourself as you should be. Making an excursion to the land of unhealthy fats and spicy food is okay once in awhile, as long as you don’t make it a habit.
Finally
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard if you’re well prepared and organized at the beginning. As with every change, it takes time to get used to the new tastes of food and say goodbye to the bad ones. But soon enough you’ll start feeling great and refreshed, and the new dietary habits will be welcome in your everyday life.
