I WANT TO CHANGE MY DIET, SO WHERE DO I START?

There are many diet books on the market today, and unfortunately many people trial diets and do not find the success they are looking for. So how do we take the right steps to find changes that are sustainable? Ask yourself what your purpose is behind making these changes, and then work to find where your starting point is. Use a food journal for three days to write down all you are eating through the day, even those small handfuls of M&M’s you grab off the reception desk in the office. This practice is not used to bring shame to your eating, but instead to show you were you can make small changes. For example, if you notice that you go to the soda vending machine every afternoon, a small change could be bringing a sparkling water to work that you drink instead. Making the mindful decision to remove and replace the soda may seem like a small step, but learning to live a balanced lifestyle is just like learning a new instrument. You would not expect to be able to play a difficult piece on the piano the first time you sat down to play. You would take it slow and start simple, learning one note at a time. Building a balanced lifestyle is the same process, one step at a time, no matter how small. 

Sustainable wellness is a marathon, not a sprint, so be kind to yourself through the process, and celebrate the little wins.

Happy Wellness!

ANNA SCHWARTZ, MS, RDN