In our previous ‘2018: New Year, New You‘ post, we discussed how you can succeed with your New Year’s resolutions.
A lot of you inquired about switching over to that healthy lifestyle and committing to lose weight so this is for you!
Before we start, we just want to remind you to always consult with your primary care provider before beginning to ensure you do not have any hidden health problems and understanding your limitations! We love helping everyone be healthy and make changes but it is important to start off on the right foot!
Get a Calendar.
Yes, get a calendar. No, not your work calendar or the phone app, but an actual calendar dedicated to your new lifestyle journey. Whether you’re wanting to lose weight, manage diabetes, or just start fueling your body with better choices, a calendar will be your lifeline to keep you on track.
Now that you have the calendar, let’s begin. Look at the first date you want to start. January 1st? Maybe not. There’s a good chance that the New Year’s Eve party you plan on attending will be filled with alcohol and delicious yet fatty foods. The hangover the next day will be discouraging and you’ll want the Grand Slam from Denny’s. January 7th, 2018 is a Sunday this year, so how about that?
Grocery Shopping Trips.
Whether you shop for just yourself, or have a family to bring with you, Plan. It. Out! Make a list of what meals you want to make and try for the next 1-2 weeks. We recommend shopping every week – week and a half to ensure your produce stays fresh! On your list, separate out the list into three categories:
- Meats & Proteins: Tip: most grocers when you buy chicken breasts from the counter will slice it in half for you so you have a thinner breast, a.k.a. a smaller portion.
- Fruits & Veggies: Pre-washed and packaged produce are easy, but tend to get pricey. Try to buy your produce loose where you can pick the broccoli crowns and carrots you want.
- Aisle Items: By having this alone, you’ll be able to visually see the type of foods you buy and may decide to pass on some. Of course, you’ll need olive oil, seasons and maybe even bottled water, but try to avoid the carb loaded items like crackers and chips.
Meal Prepping.
The scariest two words you’ll hear on your whole journey. But it doesn’t have to be scary! Some people spend hours or even a whole day meal prepping. Don’t worry, you can save your time but still have the food you love. The top two ways to beat out the ‘meal prep system’ is your crock pot, and the oven! Crock pot dumps save time and can make food for the whole family with leftovers. Below is a simple recipe for the crock pot.
Fiesta Chicken Soup
All you have to do is throw all the ingredients together in the crock pot, put it on low and let cook for 6-8 hours.
What you’ll need:
- 64 fl oz of low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can of corn, drained
- 1 can of black beans, drained
- 1 can of Rotel mild tomatoes
- 1 lb of cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- Shredded cheese to top your bowls!
Crock pots are a great way to make meals while you’re at work or just too busy to keep an eye on the stove. If you have more time to spare, consider pre-cooking your chicken in the oven. That way when you’re ready to use it, you can reheat it in the microwave, throw it in a pan with veggies to make stir fry or CYO chicken salad!
Don’t forget to join us January 17th, 2018 for our FREE weight loss seminar! You can find more details and RSVP here!
