Transitioning to the Healthy Eating Lifestyle...

Here are my biggest tips for those just starting to transform to a healthier lifestyle. PLEASE REMEMBER this is a process. Here I'll break it down...

When I was in high school I didn't really eat healthy, but had fruits here and there, and power bars. (I wasn't basing my food selection off the produce aisles and food pyramid) Freshman year of college I started eating bad...(From Aug-May) I think in March or April, a friend and I went to schnucks and bought a bunch of fruits, veggies, and whatever else we thought was healthy. (THIS WAS MY FIRST ATTEMPT TOWARD GOING BACK TO EATING RIGHT). I started a food diary, and was trying to make that transition. In the summer I was the food cater for a feature film and everything failed. I was at least adding an apple here and there, and i've always been a wheat bread eater.

BUT when school started back in August. I REALLY started getting serious because I knew with school and campus cafeteria things would get hectic, and I would get tempted. So starting August I was back on campus and working my work study job. Since I had a smaller meal plan and more excess money for groceries, in late August I started stocking my fridge with only low calorie foods. At first for me it was all about calories. And I mean from August 2009 to probably March 2010 it was all about calories. Just recently probably within the last few 2-3 months its been about the food pyramid. From August to December I went from 158-154. But a lot of loss was inches in the belly. Then i lost a few more pounds in April. I was finally in the 140's range. And you know why. I made a few changes- Instead of hot pockets and chicken pot pies, I got Giant Green Sweet Corn, and Giant Green Vegetable & Alfredo frozen veggies. They were cheap like 2/$5 or 2/$6 with like 2-3 servings a bag (from schnucks) and i was on a budget so i got them. Seemed like this one change really did me in- I replaced my usual hot pocket and lays baked chips (or something like that) lunch with a cup of veggies and slice of Sarah Lee wheat bread (2 slices for 90 calories) And my next weigh in was not 151, but 148.8.

(So I don't know if It was from March 2009-March 2010 that it took me to get eating right, or from August 2009-March 2010) ??? Comments please, what are your thoughts?

In conclusion. Its the small changes that matter. Start little.

HOW TO START...

1. Make a food diary

Carry around a little notebook and pen, or type it in your phone. Do this for 2-4 wks. (Im actually thinking about doing this again for 1 wk each month to stay on track)...anywhoo...Write down what you ate, when you ate, and how much. I mean EVERYTHING from the tiny pickles to the jelly spread. (This will help you at least be conscious of what you put in your mouth).

2. Makeover Your Pantry

For those really determined, just flat out throw the junk out your pantry, go on a grocery shopping spree for fruits, fish, veggies, wheat bread, lean turkey, roast beef, eggs ect.

3. Stop the Fast Food, Carry A Snack Instead

Fast food cost a lot after a while any how. But some cheese sticks, grapes, graham crackers and peanut butter, nuts...keep them in your car to snack on when you get the urge for fast food.

4. One thing at a time. . .

If those sound too dramatic, replace ONE thing at a time. Maybe replace soda with only green, black and oolong tea first. Or replace your desserts with fruits. Your burgers with veggie burgers. Drink more water. Start out the first week replacing one bad food item with a healthy non processed one. Then after a while your whole eating will be healthy and non processed.

5. 5-6 Small Meals

This should be first but this REALLY makes a difference. In fact, I feel (although i haven't seen it proven to be true) if you just start doing this, you may see some kind of difference 1/2 lb or something. Each meal should be 300-350 calories. I'm not an expert but I do know that it varies based on each persons' body weight, type, bmi ect.

BUT TIERRA, HOW LONG WILL ALL THIS TAKE...

The answer (drum roll please!!) I HAVE NO IDEA. Its different for each person. I do believe it will be a challenge for the first 2-3 months. BUT there are some people who just through out their pantry and started eating a healthy lifestyle that first month and NEVER looked back. It all depends on how determined you are. Do you want to see change soon? Do you want to look good before school start again, before your birthday, that wedding or school reunion this winter? Well It depends on where your motives are.