Eating habits

Keep a food diary for a few days (up to a week even).  When you look carefully back over what you ate and drank and when you might see some things that you could change for the better.

When you look closely at the ingredients in some of the foods you eat regularly (eg, certain condiments like bbq sauce) you might be consuming more sugar than you thought.  You might be having too many late night snacks when you are not really hungry – it’s just wandering back into the kitchen looking for something to eat or drink.  You might see that many of your meals lack enough protein to keep you satisfied until the next meal.  You might notice that you are not drinking enough water.  You might be mindlessly munching while you watch tv or work on the computer.  You might not be eating enough when you body needs fuel.

Make a list of the things you would like to change.  Next PICK ONE ITEM from the list.  Yes just one.  You will work on this item for 2 weeks.  It might be you decide that you will not snack after 8pm.  You might decide to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.  You might decide to be particularly vigilant about including protein with every meal and snack.  You might decide not to have alcoholic drinks at least 4 nights a week.  Whatever it is – focus on that one thing until it becomes second nature.  Depending on which item you choose it might take you more than 2 weeks to conquer.  WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE.

One habit at a time – it’s the way to go – try it and see.  You are far more likely to succeed in making a  permanent change that becomes part of the way you eat forever this way.  Embarking on a very strict “diet” or regime aimed at all of the items on your list might be doable in the short term but long term it is doomed to fail.  So pick one thing and get that right.  It is likely to be change for the better that you can embrace well into the long life you have ahead.