Ways to stay motivated to eat healthy

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If you’ve made a resolution to eat healthy and exercise more, you’re not alone. Losing weight and exercising are two of the most common New Year’s resolutions. But as time passes, it’s easy to forget your resolutions and your new nutrition plan, and let your bad habits creep back in.

1. Reach out to specialists

Hire a personal trainer or nutritionist to help you reach your fitness and nutrition

goals. Or pay for extra fitness classes at the gym. You need to truly invest in your success.

2. Start fresh

Purge the junk food from your cupboards and start with a clean slate as you move tohealthier eating habits. Discard the unhealthy choices you made and restock with healthier versions.

3. Plan ahead

Plan a healthy menu and write a shopping list to take to the store. It’s easier to stick to your nutrition goals when you have a list while shopping. You’ll also be better equipped to make healthy meals and snacks at home when the foods you need are handy.

4. Set realistic goals

You’re more likely to stay motivated when you have a realistic plan rather than vague wishes or overly optimistic ideals. First be specific. Instead of saying, “I’m going to lose weight,” set a goal to lose 3 to 5 pounds in one month. Then, be realistic. For example, instead of giving up sweets entirely, say “I’m going to only eat dessert three times a week instead of seven.”

5. Reward your success

Whatever your goal is, when you reach it, reward yourself with something small — just be sure it’s not a food-related treat. Go to the movies with a friend. Get your nails done. Buy that new sweater. Go for a walk in the woods with your dog. These types of rewards help provide the incentive you need to continue working toward bigger goals.

6. Write it down

If you keep a food journal, you can look back at what you’ve eaten, which could be more or less than you realize.

7. Try new recipes

Look for healthy recipes online and in newspapers and magazines. Try the ones that appeal to you most. Breaking up your routine with new recipes keeps your healthy eating plan interesting. And if you’re not bored, it’s easier to stick to your goals.

8. Be forgiving

What if you can’t resist and you eat that piece of pie or dig into a bag of chips? Don’tbe too hard on yourself. You can’t change what you’ve eaten, but you can make better choices at your very next meal.

Adopting a nutrition plan at the start of the year and sticking to it as the months pass can be much easier than you think, especially if you employ these tricks to help you along the way.

Sources: Everyday Health