Today it seems like everyone is obsessed with getting fit and healthy. However, it is the "all or nothing" attitude that breeds negativity and leads people to give up after a couple of failed attempts. Being healthy isn’t (and shouldn’t) be as complicated as we make it seem. Here are a couple of tricks to get you on the right path.
1. Stop eating when you are full.
Sounds like common sense, but this can be really difficult when you are served massive portion sizes or are eating out with friends. Most people are so used to finishing whatever is placed in front of them that they don’t stop to actually think about how they are feeling. Put your fork down every now and then to slow yourself down if you are eating too quickly.
2. Make sure you are eating enough.
Although this contradicts the previous tip, it is vital that you are eating enough to fuel your body through long days of class, workouts and life in general. Too many people think that eating the least amount of food possible will give you quick results, but that’s a recipe for getting burnt out, both mentally and physically. Especially if you are looking to tone up and gain muscle mass, you need to be snacking throughout the day to keep your energy and metabolism up.
3. Get protein at every meal.
Throw away your 100-calorie packs and grab a handful of almonds instead. The calorie amount may be the same, but once you chew and swallow the snack, they react very differently in your body. One snack is filled with sugars and artificial ingredients that will leave you hungry within the hour, while the other is natural and has a perfect balance between healthy fats and protein to keep you satisfied.
4. Cook your own meals.
You’d be surprised how satisfying and fun it is to make your own food. I used to think that it took too much time to make my own food and that it was easier to grab something on campus. Realistically, by the time you wait in line and sit down to eat on campus, you could have been more than halfway done preparing your own meal. An added bonus is that you have complete control of the ingredients and portion.
5. Drink water — and a lot of it!
Always carry a water bottle with you so you can sip throughout the day. If you aren’t a big fan of drinking plain water, there are tons of natural, low-calorie flavor enhancers that can make a glass of water a little more exciting.
6. Don’t make foods off-limits.
If you tell yourself you can’t have a chocolate chip cookie, you are going to want a chocolate chip cookie. Trust me. Society has told us that in order to be healthy and fit, we need to follow a strict diet plan perfectly, otherwise there is no point and we won't see results. Well, I'm a firm believer that life is meant for late night ice cream runs, popcorn at movies and happy hour. Just make sure that you are making good choices the rest of the day so you can feel better about indulging.
7. Read nutrition labels the right way.
Instead of looking at the calorie and fat grams, switch to looking at the sugar, sodium and ingredients list. If you can recognize all the ingredients, then you are in the clear. Although your entire shopping cart won’t realistically have completely natural ingredients, make sure the majority does!
8. Form habits now.
You know how your bad habits seem impossible to break? Imagine if healthy habits were just as impossible. The good news is that as soon as going to the gym and cooking meals at becomes routine, you will be more likely to keep it up.
