Over the last couple of days I have set myself up some guidelines on how I want to be eating and working out. Normally I don’t like to plan anything but when it comes to weight loss and exercise if I don’t have it planned there is no way I will stick to any semblance of a routine. I know that as time goes on and a healthier lifestyle becomes second nature to me, I won’t need as much of a black and white routine. Any structure right now helps keep me on the right path, and that is exactly what I need to loose weight and keep it off.
- Eat a healthy breakfast 5 days a week – All to often I find myself wanting eggs, bacon and toast every morning. While this is fine occasionally it can be a heart stopper every day. I want to stick to healthy breakfasts during the weekday. Egg white omelettes, cereal and yogurt, oatmeal, toast and fruit and really just anything high fibre and filled with protein so it helps keep me full. Breakfast is all to important to me. If I don’t eat it the rest of the day is like walking on a tight rope, where I will fall into an endless pile of snacks.
- Carry a water bottle – Keeping water on my person seems like a pretty simple task, and it usually is. I really want to emphasize how important water is to keeping my munchies away. If I’m not well hydrated I find I have limited self control about what I put in my mouth. Drinking enough water is important for getting my ass into the gym as well. I need to round up my good water bottles and keep them in easy reach.
- No eating past 9:30 – Everyone knows that you shouldn’t eat really late into the night, but does anyone really follow the rule? I want to try and keep any late night snacking at bay by avoiding food after 9:30pm. That may seem a little late to some of you, but if I work until 8:00pm I like to be able to have dinner or a snack when I get home. I am going to try and stick to only tea or water after 9:30pm, and hopefully this helps keep the Cheetos out of my mouth.
- Include more fruits and veggies – Another basic one! I always seem to neglect fresh fruit and vegetables, and I really don’t know why. I enjoy eating them. I want to try and include a serving of veggies with every meal. It can be as simple as a handful of spinach in a smoothie, or some roasted veggies with dinner. They just need to be there. Fruit is going to become my snacking priority. I am hoping to be surprised by how much better I feel.
These few rules are pretty simple, and honestly I think they will help guide me into the direction I want to be. I am also going to keep a more consistent food journal, and may share what a typical day looks like for me, but for right now I just need to stay focused on being the best that I can be, as corny as that sounds. I will try and check in once a week and let you guys know how this whole system is going, and at the end of the month I should be a few pounds lighter.
