Paleo, keto, vegan, low carb, ultra-low fat, whole 30 and carnivore are just a few of the many, many diets out there today. Every day it seems there’s a new way to eat that promises weight loss, improved performance, and better health.
The U.S. weight loss market is estimated to be worth $70 billion dollars today and will only continue to grow. When one diet fails, people jump to the next one looking for a quick fix and are willing to pay top dollar for it. But jumping from one diet to the next results in making too many changes at once which results in no progress or worse giving up. Instead of jumping from one new diet trend to the next, it’s better to build a solid foundation to build upon for success.
Let’s look at three key areas to build a solid foundation…
#1. Stop eating out of boxes or bags
Convenience foods are high in sodium, laden with chemicals and full of yuck! They are also created by the food industry to keep us coming back for more. That’s a whole other article so just suffice it to say, they are engineered to manipulate us to overeat, feel less satisfied after eating and to develop cravings. Most are high in calories and contain little to no true “nutrition”.
The foundation of a healthy diet needs to be whole foods, typically found around the perimeter of the grocery store that are void of added sugars, processed oils, dyes, and other chemicals. I know, this seems overwhelming at first but you can build up to this over time, I promise.
#2. Slow down when you eat
Check yourself to see how quickly you are eating. Do you find yourself eating at your work desk, while driving your car or standing over the kitchen sink? Are you mindless of how much you are consuming at one time and end up feeling bloated or suffering from indigestion? If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you are probably eating too fast.
Evolution has given you this wonderful feedback loop that will tell you when to eat and when to stop. As humans, we constantly override this from poor habits we have built over time. It takes 20 minutes for this loop to complete itself. By slowing down, you allow this in-born regulation system to work and will be able to adjust your meals accordingly. This alone can be a game-changer for you!
#3. Use the KISS Principle
I am a huge fan of this principle because it allows us to focus on the basics. In other words, KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY. So, what are the basics?
#1 Eat protein at each meal.
#2 Make half your plate vegetables.
#3 Eat mostly complex carbohydrates and some healthy fats daily.
#4 Drink water.
#5 Move more and sit less.
It’s that simple and that is your solid foundation!
The above three concepts or ideas/tips, whatever you call them, will give you a solid foundation to improve your health and get you moving toward your goal. There will never be the magic pill of a quick fix. It takes several pieces working together to get you there and without the very basics, you stand a higher chance of not reaching your goal.
Nail these basics and then worry about the finer details. Here’s a task to get you started so go grab a pencil and piece of paper. Write down 3 things that you can do today to just get 1% better in each of the areas mentioned above. Good luck and get going on the SUCCESS track to living your best life today!
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