Nutrition News
Did You Keep a Food Dairy, Even if it was for a Few Days?
Does not matter if you did not. You can still read on. The idea of writing down everything you eat, especially when you know your diet needs improving, is a great one to adhere to. You just might be puzzled by the fact that you have been running a lot, but are not managing to lose weight. On the other hand, you may have lost weight when you did not want to or need to. You might be suffering from digestive problems that are affecting your running or racing. Do you understand what I am trying to say here? By actually seeing what you eat on paper can give you a whole new perspective, or even by sharing your diary with another, you can get their perspective.
It is irrelevant how bad your eating habits are, but I would like to ask one challenge from you, ONE SMALL CHANGE. YOU might be wondering what small change and why only one? By making one small change, you are likely to be successful. How many times have we heard people making those usual New Year Proposals about losing weight, changing their diet, save money or maybe spend more time with their children? How long does it really last? Maybe till the end of the first week, if even that?
Leo Babauta writes a superb blog, zenhabits.net, and it is from here that I have taken the idea. His recommendation is that you make one small change for a month, until it becomes part of you and your routine. Once that change becomes a habit, add another change. By doing this regularly your life will gradually start changing over the years. The repeated improvements in his life have come about as a result of the following principles:
- Start small.
- Make one change at a time.
- Enjoy the activity without thinking of the outcome.
- Be thankful for every step taken.
For example, this month you have decided to just have one cup of coffee. This will be a real challenge if your daily intake has been five to six cups of coffee. Therefore, you may decide to start with two cups, which may be difficult at first, but remember this is the only change you are making.
Focus on it and by the end of the month you will probably be comfortable with your two cups. That will now become your normal. The following month you can cut down to just one cup of coffee. Once you are comfortable with that, you can decide just to go for black coffee or give the brew up completely. (I suggest this to people because anyone who has had access to my fridge will know that I love dairy products, but the calories in milky drinks add up leaving you still hungry. So make an easy goal of eating and not drinking your calories to reduce weight easily.
If you are unsure of what changes you want to make, then envision how you want to be eating and make the change accordingly.
Babatua has also recommended that you make a public commitment. So if there is anyone wishing to make that small change, email it us on the “Contact Us” Page.