Eat this. Not that.

"Eat this. Not that." It's the key to weight loss and health right? Well, no, not entirely. When we say we want to get healthy or lose weight, it's not with the thinking, "for this month". We want to make long term changes, and to do that we look at lifestyle and habits. 

You can search the web right now for a nutrition plan to print out, a list of healthy foods, or a challenge with a strict list of foods to avoid for a short amount of time. For those who have tried that route, did it stick? Most of you probably said no. You know why? Nutrition is personal. Our lifestyle and preferences play a big role. And having someone to work with and hold you accountable is key.

Knowing what we should or shouldn't eat isn’t always the barrier to weight loss. For most, it’s figuring out how to change the habits that prevent us from making a healthy diet part of our everyday life. 

"OK, how do I evaluating my habits?"

Here is a great starting point for evaluating nutrition habits. 

1. Do you eat consistently throughout the day? Preferably every 2-3 hours. 

2. Are you hydrated? We recommend eating 80 oz of water per day. 

3. How often do you eat out? Including Wawa, fast food, or non chain restaurants. Have a strategy for eating out - eat your veggies, watch out for sauces that may be high in fat, beware of high sodium choices. 

4. Are you accountable to the food you are consuming? Make a list of the food you eat during the day - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Or use a convenient app like MyFitnessPal. 

5. Do you balance your plate with whole foods? Proteins, Carbs and Fat all serve a purpose. Focus on shopping the perimeter of the grocery store for food that is minimally processed. 

Where are your opportunities? Start one at a time, and then keep after it. Establishing new habits and routines takes time.