Staying Motivated to Eat Well
I was having a hard time to think about what to blog about (which usually doesn’t happen) and I was trying to think of some things I have been struggling with lately. Eating healthy is something I love to do and love to talk about (it’s what I am in grad school for), but sometimes I go through times where it is just hard or things get in the way. For instance, my husband and I decided we should try to make most of the foods we eat organic (find out why here) and of course eat mostly a plant based diet. We feel a lot better when we eat this way.
The only problem is it is a little more expensive to eat organic and as you may know I have this very frugal side to me that doesn’t like to spend money. So we will go on kicks for awhile of eating really healthy and mostly organic to slowly starting back to eating a little less healthy (which is still pretty healthy) and less organic. Until my husband realizes it and says we need to starting eating better. This happens to a lot of other people to and not just me right? I have to remind myself when I start wanting to keep the grocery money rather that spend it that eating healthy is going to save us money on health care in the long run! I will get sick less often and will have a decreased chance of diseases later on in life.
Ways to stay motivated…
- Make a list of how you feel when you eat healthy and how you feel when you don’t eat healthy. I have so much more energy and can concentrate better when I eat healthy
- Watch food documentaries like Forks Over Knives and Food Matters (available on netflix) I’ve seen Forks Over Knives at least 10 times and I never get bored!
- If your trying to lose weight have a picture around of you at your heaviest so when your having a rough day you can look at it to see how far you have come.
- Find substitutes for your favorite foods. When I’m craving chocolate and sweets my go to is Chocolate Peanut Butter Soft Serve (no guilt).
- Remember when you want to save money on groceries that in the long run eating healthy now will save you a lot of money in the future!
- Work out! Working out always makes me want to nourish my body well.
- Eat often. The longer you go without eating or if you skip a meal the more likely you will just indulge on anything you can get your hands on and eat way more than you would like.
- Don’t deprive yourself completely. Its ok to give into temptation once in awhile. Just remember portion control.
- Its a lifestyle change not a diet!Stick to it and don’t give up. If you fall off the hours get right back on. Not tomorrow but today!
This is a great post! I’m restarting my health-fitness kick. I just completed week 1 of my running plan and I feel so much better. I also track myself online at Slimkicker.com (for free) and it has helped me to see what my weaknesses are). Now I’ve got to see what to do about it. But meal planning in advance is a great help. 🙂
Meal planning does help a ton! Good job I wish I could run! I use the calorie counter from live strong. They have a great app! I love how it shows me how many calories I have left for the day!
Amy!!! I accidentally deleted your comment but I totally agree with you! I have the same problem with a food allergy it makes me crazy but I know what will happen if I do eat dairy. Thanks for sharing!
These are great tips, it is so easy for me to go loose motivation when I’m eating healthy, like you said it can get costly and does take a lot more effort, but it is so worth it when I do! 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the encouragement! Its so easy for me to lose motivation too! Good luck!
Fabulous post! I get frustrated with the cost of food from time to time, and then I remind myself it’s cheaper to eat well than to see the doctor for illness.
Since this is such a great fit, I would love for you to share this post at my new linky, Motivation Monday: http://alifeinbalance.net/motivation-monday/ We’re sharing posts about healthy living, healthy eating, recipes, fitness, and personal growth.
Thanks Barb! I ment to reply sooner oops! But I linked up to your party thanks for the invite!
Thank you SO much for this post. 🙂 I’ve been in an eating slump lately, so this is just what I needed to spur me on to get back on track. 🙂
Aww thats great! Im glad I could inspire you! Good luck on your healthy eating journey!
i find going to the farmer’s market amy is by far, one of the best ways to be motivated. and impulsive. haha. eating locally and in season is MUCH cheaper than buying your food from a grocery store. and because it’s so nutritious, healthy and whole, you don’t need to eat as much as you do of foods that are either highly processed or have traveled 500km or more to get to you.
i also find a lot of my inspiration to eat well by keeping up with blogs, discussions, films, etc.. that orientate around this very issue. by engaging with the real food community, i not only build alliances but also become immersed in good food ways. it’s near impossible to eat crappy when you have all that going on around you.
Couldn’t agree more!! I do the same things! I love love love the farmers market and everything else you said. BTW sorry it took so long to respond I had a few very busy days because I was in a wedding yesterday!!!
p.s. think about how much money you spend on a cell phone, cable tv, dinners out, drinks, etc… spending an extra 20 or 30 bucks a week for REAL food, making friends, knowing what and where your food is coming from, and getting some exercise is – as you mentioned before – going to save you a ton of money in the future.
…we need to slow down and stop demanding things “NOW”. ie. save money now but spend more later due to health issues. i’m showing a video tomorrow on my blog (a short 7 minute one) you might find interesting 🙂 peace out!
Amen! Haha so many good points! I’m totally a now person and need to slow down!