It is January, the time for resolutions and getting fit…Again! Right now everyone is on the bandwagon to eat healthy and do whatever it takes, at least for a while. I love the focus and determination everyone has in January; however, I wish it lasted throughout the year. I understand that motivation is a tough thing to maintain day in and day out but that is the reality of a healthy lifestyle. There is no quick fix or shortcut to a lifestyle change.
This time of year, the thing that frustrates me most is the misleading pills to “lose weight” or “speed metabolism” and the never ending wave of “fad diets.” I am not a registered dietician; however, I have studied nutrition and taken UNF courses to learn and obtain a better understanding of nutrition and its importance to the human body. I am also a purist that believes in the basics. Our body needs fundamental macro and micro nutrients from whole foods. The problem is there are companies that package foods or promote “diets” that look healthy until you read the ingredients of the foods or the complete plan of the “diet.” It can be very confusing to try to wade through the marketing and understand what you are really putting in your body.
If you have decided that you want to make a change in your lifestyle; the best things you can do is keep it simple. Think protein, carbs and fat in their healthiest and purist form, produce is one of best (even frozen) sources. Always read the ingredients and if you cannot pronounce it, you probably do not want it in your body. Do not allow yourself get too hungry or too full and ALWAYS plan your meals out. It is not easy because as I said, there is no quick fix or shortcuts, but you have to eat! Food can be fun and should be delicious, take a little extra time and do some meal planning and prepping so you can EnJoy the food you eat.
Taking a pill or starting a new “diet” may not be a bad thing, if it is part of a complete plan to change to a more healthy and fit lifestyle. The important thing is to have a plan, decide the lifestyle you want to live and live it. The motivation has to come from a desire inside of you, that desire, in turn, will motivate you every day of the year, not just in January.