The Party Isn't Over
What does a healthy lifestyle look like? For some people, it looks like a lifestyle without any kind of fun. You have to slog through boring workouts. You have to start cooking your meals and you can't go out to eat anymore...what fun is that? At first, it may look like you have to give up everything in order to lose weight and get healthy. The reality is, what you gain from these changes is much more meaningful and satisfying. Not only will your body change, but your mind will change as well.
As you stay on your healthy path, you'll start to appreciate why healthy eating can be enjoyable and feel good. Why? Because of how your body responds to healthy food. That Big Mac might taste great, but imagine how it would feel to choose the healthier meal instead without feeling as though you've missed out on something. It can happen, but only if you never give up.
Here's a taste of what happens when you maintain a healthy diet:
- The way your body feels after a healthy meal will become more important to you than the instant pleasure of having something loaded with fat or sugar. Healthy foods make your body happy...soon, you'll want to make your body happy more than you'll want that instant gratification.
- You'll start to enjoy healthy food. Take it from the Junk Food Queen I used to be...you CAN live without chips, Cokes and Taco Bell...and you will gladly give those things up once you experience how your body feels after healthier meals.
- You'll realize you can still enjoy your favorite foods. The only difference is the frequency. Now, instead of having it several times a week, you might indulge once or twice a month. Many times, you may even turn that burger down because you know it will make you feel tired rather than energized.
- You will enjoy your favorite foods without guilt. The best part is this: by not indulging every time you want a treat, when you do eat it, you'll savor every single bite.
- You'll start to see food as a tool for your body, rather than something that controls your life. If you exercise, you'll learn very quickly how food affects your workouts. Eating a heavy, fatty meal may make you tired and, as a result, your workouts will suffer. Soon, you'll want better workouts and you'll be more motivated to eat healthy foods.
- You'll become more adventurous with food. Eating healthy often opens the door to more options than you usually give yourself. You'll try new vegetables and grains, experiment with herbs and flavors you've never tried. You'll begin to realize there are an amazing number of choices out there for healthy, tasty foods.
- Your family will benefit. Even if you're the only one in your family eating healthy, those habits rub off on others. Being a good role model for your kids is one way to teach them how to live healthy when they become adults. Part of that is teaching them the right way to eat.
- Your friends and co-workers will benefit. Many healthy eaters bring lunch to work. This often leads other co-workers, those who eat out, to look at their own habits. Don't be surprised if they come to you for advice on how you do it.
- You'll be able to avoid temptation. Healthy eaters are much better at avoiding the usual pitfalls like party foods or overloaded buffets. Why? They learn, by practice, the different tools to staying healthy--eating regular meals so they're not starving, filling up on healthy foods first to eat less of the bad stuff, and choosing just a few quality treats to enjoy instead of everything in front of them.
These changes come over time...sometimes weeks, months or years of slowly working on your habits, choices, lifestyle and beliefs. Allowing yourself this time is crucial for permanently changing how you look at food and healthy eating.
The positive changes don't just end there...your feelings and perspective on exercise will change as well. Here's how it works.
