When it comes to eating better, I know my body and how it works. I know what it takes to get results and how my choices affect my daily life. 4 months ago, I changed my diet and made slight changes and today I have lost 15 pounds. The shocking part is I was not on a diet, but I decided to drop some unhealthy choices and replace them with healthier ones.
I now eat better most of the time and I also realized that it is so much easier for me to do so during the work week. The weekends I’m more focused on errands and what’s happening in the neighborhood instead of dinking 8 glasses of water. So, my new goal is to eat the same no matter what day of the week it is. Here are the areas that I have had success in the last 4 months.
Drinking 8 glasses of water a day seems obvious to most people, but this was a game changer for me. I was ill in October and had to drink more water and when I started, the pain and sickness went away and in 30 days I was fine.
Swap full fat dairy products for plant-based options and limit eggs, cheese, and real butter. I use heart healthy oils and butter like olive oil, avocado oil and grapeseed oil, plant-based yogurt, and milk. I rarely use cheese in meals, but I sometimes snack on cheese, in moderation.
Replace beef and pork with poultry and fish. I eat chicken, turkey, and salmon and sometimes crab, be mindful of shrimp and crab which is full of sodium. I also eat tuna and mackerel which is rich in vitamin D and B.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables EVERYDAY! This was another awakening for me. Federal guidelines recommend eating at least 1 ½ – 2 cups of fruit each day and 2-3 cups of vegetables a day. I do this every day and yes, it can be costly but still cheaper than chips and cookies which are now almost $6 per bag. To eat them all sometimes it is easier to add to a smoothie.
Read labels and limit high carb, high fat foods like fast food, chips, crackers, cookies, pies, cakes, and sugary drinks. reading labels will help you avoid foods having high sodium and it will also teach you how to eat the right portion size.
These are all the changes I made to lose 15 pounds in 4 months with no exercise (now I have a routine, will share later) and without the dread of going on a strict diet. The video will show you my weekly shopping trip and some of my favorite snack choices.
Enjoy YOUR journey, stay in YOUR lane to win YOUR race!