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Setting Practical Nutrition Goals

Do not be too hard on yourself. At this point, you simply need to match your desire for change with your determination to change. Consider a slow and steady approach versus a major all at once approach. I have listed some tips you can apply to get you on the road to achieving your nutrition goals, practically

You have decided that you want to take charge of your wellness. That’s awesome! You have gone to the grocery store and purchased all the most expensive organic brands. You have joined new exercise classes, one for each day of the week. You have even covered the weekend days by paying a deposit to secure a personal trainer. You have purchased the most beautiful active wear made from the most breathable, formfitting, and comfortable fabric.

It’s week one – let’s go, baby! You are off to a great start. You have done two of the classes and you are happy with the variety. You feel energized and are not bored with working out. Day three of week one and you have been invited to dinner and drinks to celebrate with coworkers. You happily accept and have a delicious meal that is not quite within the regimen. Do to staying out late unexpectedly, you sleep in and do not go to your morning workout class. Your mood has completely changed, and you are now displeased with your performance. You decide to eat whatever you want for dinner since you have already “messed up”. Day five you skip workout class, but you try to eat according to your regimen again. It’s day six and you are about to train with your trainer. In your mind, this should be great for you. This will be the thing that gets you back on track. You find that your personal training session is nothing like your “fun” workout class. On day seven you reluctantly show up for day two of personal training. It is the middle of week two and you have now thrown out a good portion of the produce that you have not used. You have had busy days at work, so you are not interested in cooking because that means you would need to go to the grocery store. You have now decided to grab takeout. You happily go to your workout class in the morning because it your first time attending this particular class. At work you order takeout again because you did not pack a lunch. The next two days you do the same and realize that you have spent a significant amount of money. It is almost time to see your trainer again and you decide to tell them that you will only be able to do one day this weekend. Instead of meeting with your trainer on the second day, you put on your activewear and go out with friends for a late lunch, sort of relaxed brunch.  Looking ahead to the upcoming week, you feel unmotivated and defeated.

You no longer find all the inspirational content you used to appreciate on social media encouraging. Instead, it has adversely caused you to spiral deeper down a negative thought pattern.  

If you can relate to this storyline or aspects of this story, you are not alone. Do not be too hard on yourself. At this point, you simply need to match your desire for change with your determination to change. Consider a slow and steady approach versus a major all at once approach. Below I have listed some tips you can apply to get you on the road to achieving your nutrition goals, practically:

  • Create a list of changes you want to implement and tackle them strategically. For example: instead of trying to overhaul your entire diet, pledge to eat a healthy breakfast daily until it becomes routine.
  • Consider limiting how many days a week you will order takeout. If you order out four times a week, reduce it to two times a week.
  • Create a financial budget for your nutrition and wellness commitments. Being mindful of the financial aspect will help you visualize where there may be wasteful spending and will highlight what is helpful and what is not. I believe in living Affordably Healthy™.
  • Create a meal calendar. You can purchase and download one to complete on your own or work with a nutrition professional to create one tailored to your needs and dietary preferences.
  • Determine what you need and what you can handle. Ask yourself if you need a trainer to push you to go the extra mile because you will not challenge yourself. Then ask yourself if you can handle a trainer pushing you to go the extra mile. Will you become annoyed and avoid your sessions?
  • Do not buy all items in large quantities, especially fresh produce unless you are going to take additional steps to preserve it. Consider purchasing dry goods, grains, oils, etc. in bulk. Organic fresh, whole foods will require more frequent trips to the market. This can be somewhat controlled by cooking and meal prepping in advance. Remember, it is possible to eat organic, fresh whole food regularly and be Affordably Healthy™.
  • Meal prep when you can. If you cannot meal prep full meals, prep your meats/protein in bulk and cook the sides daily because they are usually quicker and easier to prepare.
  • Structure your commitments and categorize them. Consider starting with the “lowest-hanging fruit”. Examples of categories include increase vegetable intake, monitor caloric intake, exercise more, and so on.
  • Acknowledge the relevance of accountability. Decide how you would like to approach this. It can be via a trusted friend, someone on the same or similar journey, or with a nutrition or wellness professional. Whatever you choose, choose wisely because the vulnerability in revealing your limitations requires a delicate yet balanced response. In my opinion, this balance is often better managed by a professional, definitely someone objective.

A lot of positive health-related information is available. It is not one size fit all. We can all benefit from this abundance of useful information, but it is the application of that information that makes the difference. To have a successful outcome, consider the advantage of taking an individualized approach. Be encouraged.

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