Do You Have The Beer Belly Blues? Kill Your Bad Eating Habits For Good.
Warning: This article involves letting go of specific habits which is a major cause for being overweight, unhealthy and stressed out.
Whether you’re a fitness buff or couch potato we can all improve our eating habits.
Getting rid of you poor eating habits can definitely be done if you learn to apply some extremely important and simple principles.
Simple doesn’t mean that it will be easy because disciplined is required, but if you follow these strategies below you will transform your life and bring yourself new, everlasting health and wellness.
Let go of eating out.
When you go out for breakfast, lunch and dinner do you know exactly how your food is prepared or where it comes from?
Set your intentions to prepare food at home as often as you can and allow time in your schedule for regular shopping and preparation. Make a weekly menu plan.
A lot of people will say “I just don’t have the time”. This is an excuse and a lack of priority on your journey to better health and wellness.
There are many recipes that take only 10 or 15 minutes to prepare. Others can be prepared the night before. I am not saying to never eat out, but to simply reduce it.
Let go of your desires for sweet and salty foods.
It’s so easy to succumb to your sugar or salt desires because you have eaten so much of it that your body craves it like an addictive drug.
Gradually start cutting out those sweets and other high sodium foods by saying “no” to your desire. The key is to do this slowly and gradually so your body has some time to adapt (check the sugar and sodium contents on the stuff you buy and reduce).
Take time to observe your thoughts, feelings and body sensations when you’re have a craving and, just sit with it for a few moments (or a few hours) until it dissipates.
Be disciplined and do not give in to your desire. If it doesn’t seem to go away then have a healthy snack like a piece a fruit or a healthy cracker without salt or low sodium.
Don’t go shopping when you are hungry and take a list based on the meals you want to prepare. Stick to your list and don’t get distracted (stay away from the junk food sections).
Let go of perfection.
We often feel we need to achieve that perfect look, health or fitness status quo. As result we have unrealistic expectations of ourselves and choose the latest fad diets or cleanses that are supposed to give us that perfect image.
Letting go of perfection involves accepting who you are including your body type and your current eating habits. Changes are inevitable and take time so don’t condemn yourself for where you are now.
In that state of accepting and non-judgment of yourself you can gradually introduce those foods you know that are healthy for you and eliminate those that aren’t.
Let go of competition.
We often choose our food based on what others are eating or what someone else recommended and/or achieved from eating specific foods.
There are many factors that determine one’s health and wellness, so just because you know someone who went on a diet and lost 25 pounds, it doesn’t mean you will too. Remember, they may also put that weight back on again.
Be conscious by choosing foods that are in your best interest and right for your body type; not just to please others, to look good or, to “do it right”. Consider the ayurvedic diet for your body constitution.
Make sure you read and practice the last strategy so you know how and what foods to shop for.
Let go of distractions.
When you eat with the TV, computer, phone or radio on you are not giving your full awareness to your food and therefore not eating consciously. Not being in the moment and enjoying your food can have a negative effect on the energy of your food and how it is absorbed by your body.
Are you eating your food with focus and clarity – resulting in positive vibrational energy for your mind and body?
Are you chewing your food at least 20 times – which allows you to digest it more effectively and efficiently?
Take time to enjoy and appreciate your food. Give thanks to those who harvested your food, prepared it and even served it.
Let go of buying foods with additives.
Purchase the simplest and purest foods that you can. Fresh organic, local fruits and vegetables can be found at your local farmers markets or at smaller organic grocery stores.
Be sure to read the labels of packaged foods you are going to buy and consume. If you don’t recognize or cannot pronounce the name of the ingredients, don’t buy it.
When buying packaged foods look for the most natural ingredients but don’t get greenwashed. There are many known carcinogens in the food, drinks and even body products we use.
Heavily processed foods often contain toxic chemicals that have little or no benefit to your mind and body.
Don’t shop for groceries without clarity of what you really need. This is often the hardest for people and ties in with letting go of your cravings and desires for sweet and salty foods. Have a treat once in a while but be disciplined and stick to your menu plan.
Your health can change instantly the minute you consciously decide to change your eating habits. Anyone can lose weight if they set their intention and follow these tips and strategies. Be willing to observe and reflect on your eating habits and you will discover a whole new shift in your mind and body wellness.
Note: some of these points are from a previous article I wrote on The Conscious Consumption Diet – I thought they were important enough to include them again.
photo courtesy of fmgbain
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