How to Successfully make a Food-Related Behavior Change

​Sometimes we just want to feel healthier, more vibrant, youthful again, stronger, have more energy, or a sharper mind. Sometimes  a medical scare leads to a change in diet. And, when it comes to food, I'd guess the majority of people have weight-loss goals. 

Improving your nutrition habits can can help you achieve these goals.  Try using food as medicine before you pop a pill bottle!

Instead of looking at food as the enemy, I challenge you to instead you look at food as nourishment. Food then becomes your friend and source of well-being; your path to health.

When you focus on a whole food diet that is dense with nutrients to feed you body, mind, and spirit, improvements in health and weight loss often happen naturally. As a bonus, you're less inflamed, less stressed, your thinking is clear, and you feel happier. Nourishment is the best feeling in the world!

​What makes a behavior change permanent?
WHEN YOU VALUE YOUR HEALTH! 
​(More than your previous behavior)

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​Strategies to Successfully make a Food-Related Behavior Change:

• Keep a food journal, include your feelings (print a great journal page HERE)
• Eliminate unhealthy foods from your environment (make lateral food swaps)
• Place healthy foods at the forefront in your refrigerator
• Educate yourself about nutrition and what it means to be healthy (read my free ebook)
• Encourage your family to support you in your new habits (The Keys to Forming Good Nutrition Habits)
• Make and achieve small daily goals 
• Celebrate the achievement of big goals
• Enlist a buddy to share in your experience and keep each other accountable
• Get daily exercise (Why Tennis is Great for ​Holistic Health)
• Get plenty of quality sleep (Sleep Like a Baby - 5 Tips for a Good Night's Rest)
• Learn to recognize your unhealthy behavior patterns
• Use deep breathing when faced with temptation (Meditation)
• Surround yourself with other health conscious individuals
• Enjoy shopping and the experience of cooking healthy foods (How to Make Home Cooking Easy, Fun, and Cheap)
• Understand the source of your foods from farm to table (Shop Your Local Farmers Market!)

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​Possible Barriers to Behavior Change:

It's also important to be aware of Possible Barriers Faced when making a Food-Related Behavior Change:

• An un-supportive spouse or family
• Social group with differing health habits
• Conflicting data or lack of data about nutrition
• Addictive substances in foods
• Persuasive advertising for junk foods
• The effect of stress on mood and making healthy decisions
• Excessive restaurant portion sizes
• Limited access to healthy food options
• Lack of self-awareness about food-related decisions
• Mindless eating during screen-time
• Lack of healthy options while away from home
• Peer pressure in social situations
• Difficulty in maintaining habits when travelling
• Lack of learned cooking skills

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​Have a Game Plan Ready:

What will you do if up against one of these barriers?
HAVE A GAME PLAN!

• Be ready to deal with old habits.  You may have to purposely distract yourself.
• Don't find yourself (or put yourself) in unhealthy situations.  Have an "out" if you do.  
• Be ready for negative people to treat you differently, because you will be different (and improved)!  Ask yourself:  "Do I really need to explain my choices to anyone?"
• YOU know what's best for YOU!  Value your health (more than your previous behaviors)!
• Embrace change.  Try new things and new foods. Be adventurous.  Reinvent yourself one decision at a time.
• Don't expect perfection from yourself.  That's a losing proposition.  Follow the 85/15 rule!

It's never too late to change your behavior, learn something new, and improve your health.  As the saying goes, "Small hinges swing big doors".  Meaning: little changes you make every day add up to big improvements over time.  If you take a step backwards, recognize it and move forward again.  Life is filled with new beginnings!

• What changes have YOU made already that are bringing you closer to your goals?
• Is there one improvement YOU can make today?

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