HOW TO EAT HEALTHY WHEN THE REST OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD DOESN'T!!!

I've been planning to write this article for a while as I know it is relevant to a lot of people, including some of my clients who have told me as much.

The way to succeed at eating a healthy diet is preparation! If you live on your own you are the only one who is responsible for what lurks in your fridge, freezer and cupboards! Have a check now - if there are plenty of processed snacks, biscuits and sweets you are setting yourself up to fail! So get rid of them - and not down your throat!!

However, if you live with a partner, children, room-mates, or others, there is a good chance they will not have the same food choices or interest in eating healthy as you! This may seem a big problem to you! All the foods you are trying to avoid might be right in front of you every time you get a craving!!

And this is not limited to home. Often the same scenario will be presented to you on a daily basis at your place of work!

Sound familiar? So, we give in and eat the junk everyone else is having - right?

Of course not!! Despite all the temptations there are people out there managing to ignore temptation and who are eating healthy and smashing their goals! Think how lean and toned Johnny Depp looks - and he lives in a Chocolate Factory!!!

Whilst there's not a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to eat healthy when others around you don’t, there are steps that can be taken to make your success much more likely!

1) MULTIPLY YOUR MEALS: Make multiple meals.You whip up your porridge with fruit and a protein shake whilst the rest of the family tuck into pancakes drenched in syrup. While they’re eating burgers and fries, you’re gobbling down fish, quinoa, and a leafy-green salad.

It's not the ideal scenario as it will mean more time spent in the kitchen. You will also probably spend more on food as well. However, if it’s the only way you can stick to your plan, and make everyone else happy, it may be worth considering.

2) IT'S GOOD TO TALK: The best way to succeed is by talking to friends and family rather than assuming they know the score! When they know you’ve got a goal to eat healthy and get in shape, most will be supportive. However, you must be clear at the start and have a conversation about:

- The weekly food shopping

- Going out to eat and takeaways

- Your fitness goals

- Your daily calorie and macro aims

- Meal planning and cooking.

You need to take the lead on this, but when the people closest realise you are serious they will most often support and assist you the best they can. That's not to say you need to push your idealism on them -this is for you and they will understand that!

Now, what if you have young children who are used to sugary high calorie snacks and meals? If this is the case you have a great opportunity to improve their diet for the long term!! They will thank you when they are older - that's for sure!

3) ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR GOALS: Find ways to keep your healthy eating goals in your mind at meal and snack times. Great ways to do this are:

- Regularly talk about the reasons why you are eating healthier. Post about your progress.

- Post your goals and plan on the fridge or in the kitchen.

- Share healthy cooking tips and recipes with others on social media.

- Set a good example for healthy eating, without being critical of food choices others are making.

- If you have a coach or trainer regularly liaise with them - they will be 100% supportive of you.

- Regularly review your diet plan and re-affirm your goals.

So, there you are! You can eat healthy when others around you don’t. It will take discipline and planning, but the more you do it the easier it will become!

As usual, any questions fire them over.

Ian David Worthington - Creator, Owner and Coach at GymWolfPT.com