3 Starting Steps to Change Your Eating
Overwhelmed with making a new change? Start here and let's #own this
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Human behaviour. It's fascinating trying to understand why you are so driven one day to change something, and then at the flick of a switch, the drive is gone.
It's the same with eating. You may have been on a really good thing for a while, but something got in the way and you've dropped the ball. Now, you want to get back to that oh-so-good routine, but making that change feels oh-so-hard right now. And that's okay, which is why I've outlined the 3 small steps to get you going because with all due respect and a tiny dose of tough love - the saying goes: "Nothing changes, if nothing changes" Get your pen and paper, grab a cuppa and let's get you started on the change you want to achieve with your eating habits!
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Step One: Find Your Why
Understanding what is driving the purpose to change your eating is really the critical step to achieving success. I'm not going to lie - it is also the hardest step. You may know that you want to drop a dress size, or feel more confident in your skin or stop feeling so 'blah' about your body. But go further: what is the real underlying reason you want this. Like real bad. Is it because you're sick of having to undo your top button on your jeans when you sit down? Is it because you hate being puffed when you walk up a flight of stairs? Is it because you know sugar is your best friend at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm?
This can be the most powerful thing when you understand your WHY because then once it's in out, it's hard to put that back from where it came from.
Step Two: Know Your Gaps
Knowledge is power. Think about:
This is key because often you may think you know everything to start, however you can also continue to learn or at least confirm that what you know will put you on the right track. Are you reading reputable information? Do you know how to read food labels? Do you understand how food is metabolised? This is where a dietitian can help to analyse your intake, point out what is positive and also what you might be missing. Tailored advice and education will equip you with exactly what you need to know to move forward with a plan and essentially start changing your habits without the guesswork.
Step Three: Pick Your Point
Now you have a plan in place, you need to pick your starting point. Don't try and overhaul everything at once - this only contributes to the feeling of being overwhelmed (which is what you're trying to avoid remember?). Rome wasn't built in a day so start with one goal of your eating plan, may that be writing a shopping list, menu planning, packing your lunch the night before or aiming for your daily fibre target.
Change is all around us. Another saying (I'm on fire with quotes today!) my old boss used to throw at me was "the only constant in our lives is change". So embrace it, take it step by step and know that it will give you strength once you conquer your mountain.
Understanding what is driving the purpose to change your eating is really the critical step to achieving success. I'm not going to lie - it is also the hardest step. You may know that you want to drop a dress size, or feel more confident in your skin or stop feeling so 'blah' about your body. But go further: what is the real underlying reason you want this. Like real bad. Is it because you're sick of having to undo your top button on your jeans when you sit down? Is it because you hate being puffed when you walk up a flight of stairs? Is it because you know sugar is your best friend at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 3pm?
This can be the most powerful thing when you understand your WHY because then once it's in out, it's hard to put that back from where it came from.
Step Two: Know Your Gaps
Knowledge is power. Think about:
- What do you already know about nutrition?
- What are your current food habits?
- What else do you need to know to help you make a change?
This is key because often you may think you know everything to start, however you can also continue to learn or at least confirm that what you know will put you on the right track. Are you reading reputable information? Do you know how to read food labels? Do you understand how food is metabolised? This is where a dietitian can help to analyse your intake, point out what is positive and also what you might be missing. Tailored advice and education will equip you with exactly what you need to know to move forward with a plan and essentially start changing your habits without the guesswork.
Step Three: Pick Your Point
Now you have a plan in place, you need to pick your starting point. Don't try and overhaul everything at once - this only contributes to the feeling of being overwhelmed (which is what you're trying to avoid remember?). Rome wasn't built in a day so start with one goal of your eating plan, may that be writing a shopping list, menu planning, packing your lunch the night before or aiming for your daily fibre target.
Change is all around us. Another saying (I'm on fire with quotes today!) my old boss used to throw at me was "the only constant in our lives is change". So embrace it, take it step by step and know that it will give you strength once you conquer your mountain.
Still overwhelmed? Don't be - I'm here to help
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Content included on this site is prepared as general information only. It is not advice and should not be substituted for personal advice which takes into account your individual health, financial or other circumstances.