Diet tips for success

1. Don't try to do everything all at once. If you drink soda, eat lots of sweets or sugary snacks, drink cocktails etc, pick {one} thing to cut back on and focus on that. (i.e. cut back from four Dr. Pepper's a day to just one). Remember, you must take baby steps and that cutting back is a gradual process. One soda has 150 cals, so try switching to a diet soda or water if you can. All the sugar + calories in every soda really add up and take a toll on your body.

2. Drink H2O. If you can't bring yourself to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, try this instead. Get a sports bottle (32 oz) and fill it with water so you're constantly reminded to hydrate yourself all day. Can't drink that much water? Try mixing in crystal light to give your water a little flavor!

3. Plan ahead and bring snacks. I'm a big snacker. I don't eat full meals very often and instead I take a lot of snacks with me wherever I go and they are always pre portioned. My favorites include baby carrots, trail mix, triscuits, fresh cut strawberries mixed with red grapes, rasberries, & blueberries, luna bars, yogurt covered pretzels and almonds. 

4. Forget about late night eating. You always want to eat your heaviest meals during the day and before 4 pm. Dinner should always be light. Consider a fresh garden salad or my favorite, grilled chicken or salmon with broccoli. The best options for dinner are low carb and also low calorie but high in protein. If you stick to eating 6 oz of lean protein and a side of veggies you'll do great. I usually go to bed around 10-10:30 pm, so I make sure I don't eat anything past 7:30 or 8pm. However, if you go to bed at 12 midnight then make sure to not eat past 9pm. Your cutoff time all depends on when you go to bed. Another important note, if you are hungry and simply must eat something then listen to your stomach and find a healthy snack to munch on like celery or carrots. This will satisfy your hunger and you will be far less likely to wake up at 3 am wanting to chow down on cold pizza. 

5. {five} days on & {two} days off. I know this doesn't work for everyone but for me, this is the best rule I have implemented thus far. Monday through friday, I eat healthy and work out, run etc and come Saturday I let myself enjoy what I want to eat without stress or worry. I'm running at least 3 days a week, going to the gym at least twice per week and eating healthy without drinking any soda or coffee and going without sweets. Saturday if I feel like eating pizza or a big greasy cheeseburger with fries and a milkshake, I go for it. Life is short so I refuse to give up the foods I like altogether. I don't go crazy every weekend; it's all about moderation, but I do eat what I want without worrying about carbs, calories, sodium or sugar content and just live life and enjoy. It makes all the hard work during the week worth it and I have something to look forward to for the weekend. 

6. Find alternatives. I admit that I have an out of control sweet tooth. For some, it's a coffee addiction or maybe you like to drink martinis and margaritas for happy hour. Whatever it may be, find a sensible alternative. For example, I now eat lots of fruit or yogurt covered pretzels when I crave something sweet. My favorite healthy sweet treat? Frozen bananas sprinkled with cinnamon. It works like a charm. I also make a list every time I go to the grocery store and never almost never buy sweets. That means no ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, candy, or chocolate of any kind {except for those peanut m&ms during that one part of the month.} Your body adapts itself to the foods you eat on a regular basis. If you stop eating sweets then eventually your cravings will lessen and instead you will start to crave other foods. Also once you cut back your portions, your stomach will shrink and you learn to eat less {and slower too.}

7. Give yourself 30. Thirty minutes every day to dedicate to exercise. This could be dancing in your room while belting out T-Swift songs at the top of your lungs or walking a few miles every day. The best cardio workout I have found has been running. I love how anyone can run and you don't have to be a marathon runner either. You want to start slow and run a little at a time combined with brisk walking and soon you will find yourself gaining endurance and strength to run longer and harder and at the same time relieve any built up stress. Remember, even extremely fit and active people sometimes don't have the endurance to run long distances so start slow and never over do it. 

8. Take a multi vitamin. This is self explanitory and is an absolute necessity. Taking a multi vitamin is the only way to ensure that you are getting all the daily nutrients that your body needs. I prefer gummi vitamins :)

9. Think in color. Eat foods that are rich in color. Fresh fruit, carrots, spinach, broccoli, asparagus are all bright colorful options to add to your plate that are rich in nutrients.

10. Get some Zzzzzzz's. The truth is that getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night is essential to your bodies health. It allows your body to rest especially if you work out. Don't forget your body is burning calories while at rest too so go ahead and get your nap on.

ps. I don't ever consider myself on a 'diet'... I don't believe in that word. Instead I just eat sensibly and indulge in moderation. Remember not to obsess over numbers. Don't worry about the calories, the pounds or inches that you've lost or maybe haven't lost and focus on eating right. Eventually you will see results; you'll start to notice your clothes fitting looser or the extra energy you have ... it just takes time. So be patient! :)

xoxo

-ash <3