Quitters Day

Did you make it through “Quitters Day” in January?  That is the day that fully 80% of New Year resolutions are abandoned.  Fitness centers start to clear out. Pizza sales increase. All good intentions are abandoned.  The problem is the health issues remain.

It’s easy to understand why this happens.  Resolutions are over the top. They are unrealistic, and after New Year’s day, reality returns.

We’re rushed. We’re stressed. We have other things to do.  Our good intentions fall by the wayside.

Many of you participated in our Post Holiday Sugar Cleanse to get your bodies in better balance after the holidays.  Having a breather from all the holiday goodies is a good start, but more has to be done. If you want to get your body to a state of good health, you must be informed about your food choices and create a lifestyle that makes you able to consistently nourish yourself. And it must be something that works for you.

When actress Meryl Streep was recently asked to share her most important message for women, she kept it very simple: “Stop worrying about your weight.”

As a health and nutrition coach, I couldn’t agree more.  When I think of harnessing all the mental and emotional energy we have used fretting about weight, we could literally change the world.

But it’s not just weight.  Heavy, medium or slim, it’s what you are putting into your body every day that matters most. Your other habits matter too, like getting enough sleep, moving during the day and living a satisfying life.

14 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Eat Healthy and Avoid Dieting

Here’s what has worked for me and what I do pretty much every day.  It’s simple and puts an end to dieting.  I rarely step on the scale.  Things seem to stabilize with this formula as long as lifestyle habits like sleep and exercise stay the same.

• First thing in the morning have a glass of water before anything else
• Eat breakfast. Always. Almost always at home.
• Keep your cabinets stocked with whole grains, nuts, beans, oils and vinegars, herbs and spices, canned tomatoes, artichokes and anchovies
• Keep fresh fruit on the counter
• Keep Fresh vegetables always in the refrigerator and eat several a day
• Make prep for your evening meal in no more than 15-20 minutes
• Don’t have a second helping
• Eat slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly
• Don’t drink soda
• Have your secret pleasure in small, infrequent servings
• Change your food with the seasons - soups and stews in winter, salads, more fruit and fish in summer
• Use small containers (Japanese tea cups) for my go-to walnut/raisin/dark chocolate snack
• Make dinner your last food of the day
• In restaurants choose an appetizer instead of an entree, with a side of vegetables

If any of these suggestions are new to you and you want to make some changes, start with just a few and slowly add more.

If you don’t know where to start and are truly motivated to improve your health, get in touch with me to see if one of my programs will help you. One is a simple 15-minute coaching and accountability call twice monthly, one is my online 6 Weeks to Diet Freedom program and the third is a twice monthly hour-long program with one-on-one coaching, multiple handouts, and references to help you with your long-range goals.

Ladies - Join our Joyful Old Dames FB page

Have you read Skinny Joyful Old Dame yet?  I hope you like it!  I’m in Florida now and just spent time with Joan, one of the personalities I mentioned in the little book.  In her mid-nineties, she told me today she never thinks about her age because she mostly forgets what it is!  It’s not because Joan has dementia. She’s as sharp as a tack.  It’s because she’s too busy.  Today is Book Club, tomorrow is Water Aerobics and Friday is Bingo.  Joan is active and social.  She takes care of her home and leads a very active life.

If you are a Joyful Old Dame or would like to be one, join us on FB at Joyful Old Dames.  We have open topics every week - this week we talked about kindness, mutual respect, letting your light shine, and Alzheimer’s.  Bring your ideas and join us.

Wishing you good health and much happiness,

and much love,

Peg