It can take weeks — sometimes even months — to build a new habit. Proper nutrition habits are important to not only your weight management goals, but your overall health. By following a healthy, balanced diet, your body will get the nutrients it needs for proper health to prevent disease, help you maintain a healthy weight and provide you with the energy you need to get through your day.
No one can change overnight. It’s important start with small changes to your nutrition habits so your mind and body has time to adjust, because sometimes lots of change at once can be overwhelming. By easing your way into it, you’ll feel more comfortable with the new habits you’re setting for yourself, and you’re more likely to stick with them in the long-term.
Ready to improve your nutrition habits? Check out these tips:
Make a Commitment to Eat Three Meals Per Day
Food is fuel. Your body needs this energy as you go through the day. Choose to eat three meals per day and balance those meals to be about five hours apart — and remind yourself to not skip meals. When you skip meals, your body is even more hungry at the next one, and you may overdo it on how much you eat.
Start a Food Journal to Stay on Track
Food journals are a great tool to help you when making changes to your nutritional habits, and they’re a way to hold yourself accountable to the foods you’re eating. Not only that, but they can be a good resource to use when meeting with your doctor or a registered dietitian to talk about your goals for your weight and health. There’s a variety of food journals available online, in print, in the form of a smartphone app, or you can even start one on your own with pen and paper!
Find a Support System
Making changes isn’t easy, but it can become easier with the proper support. Surround yourself with people who can hold you accountable to the changes you’re making for yourself, and make sure that person is someone you can talk to about the changes who won’t be discouraging or judgmental. Lots of people find support in friends, family members or even support group settings that are designed for individuals looking to manage their weight and health.
Expect Setbacks, but Enjoy Your Success
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It’s not always going to be sunshine and roses, and that’s okay! If you anticipate the setbacks, you’ll be less likely to use them as an excuse to quit. Instead, look at them as a minor thing and a learning experience for yourself, because you’ll be much happier during those successful times when you know you overcame obstacles. Show yourself some appreciation for your success by treating yourself to something your enjoy doing — you deserve it!
