How to Set Yourself up for Success to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

How many times have you tried to start eating healthy and went right back to junk food and fast food runs? You know that eating right and living a healthy lifestyle is what you want to do and need to achieve the end goal you have, but you get so frustrated when you experience another set back.

Maybe you’ve already tried to eat better, get more exercise, get more sleep, quit smoking, or reduce stress in your life. If this is you (it was me too), then you know it’s not easy. However, it IS possible. You just aren't setting yourself up for success in order to achieve this lifestyle. Here are my tips and tricks to setting you up for success in order to SUSTAIN a healthy lifestyle. So sit back, sip some tea, and let's get educated.

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1: Addressing Your Current Habits

This goes for everything you do that you notice make you feel good. This can be from taking a steaming shower before bed (me) to satisfying that late night sweet tooth. Repetitive behaviours are habits that can be hard to break, but being aware of these behaviours first is the first step in setting yourself up for success. So what habits are you currently forming that can hinder your success at living a healthy lifestyle? Get to know yourself!

2: Correcting Habits

Now that you've addressed those habits, it's time to make a plan to rid them. Make small goals towards correcting these habits. Let's talk about that late night sweet tooth. Maybe get 2 birds with one stone and go to bed a little earlier to get more sleep. Or, eat a filling meal an hour before you sleep so you are satisfied before bed.

3: Do Your Research On What Healthy Food Is

We all know that eating wholistic foods are the way to go when maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it can be so hard to stick to eating them. If your confused about what whole foods to eat, I have an eBook on my website that gives you a guide on how to eat healthy as well as what foods to eat and stay away from. I also give snack options and ideas as well. If anything, that will be a good start and it's free. Pick the whole foods you like and you know you can be consistent with. If you don't like carrots, for the love of God, don't make yourself eat carrots. You will hate it and you won't stick to it. There really is no way around whole foods. You can try Keto and all the fad diets out there, but when it comes down to it, all of these diets will work effectively through the use of whole foods.

You can get creative and find recipes that have fun with whole foods that are still great for you! There are even meal prep companies and services out there that do this for you. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I am a huge unsponsored Dallas Prep Kitchen fan. Find a recipe or company that makes it fun for you!

4: Only Fill Your Fridge With Those Foods

After you've picked the foods you love and can stick to, now it's time to fill your fridge with those foods and those foods only. Why? Because, you are less likely to stir off of the lifestyle. If you fill your fridge or pantry with just those foods, you are MUCH less likely to reach for something that will detour you aways from you goal.

5: Have Cheat Snacks and Meals

Now, don't feel like you have to only eat whole foods and you can kiss delicious juicy burgers and fried goodbye. That sounds like prison. Please don't do that. Even I struggle with a sweet tooth or craving junk or processed foods. It's ok to have cheat meals! In fact it's encouraged in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and physique! However, don't use these cravings as an excuse to eat junk for days straight! Be SMART with your cravings!

For me, I used to ALWAYS get a sweet tooth when I was at the start of my journey, but there are a few things that you can keep stalked in your fridge or pantry to help in these moments!

- Sugar Free Jello: it's still sweet, but has very little calories. Add a little Fat Free Cool Whip on top and BAM. Sweet tooth gone in under 30 calories.

- BCAAs: Alter leptin levels which is a hormone that affects your feeling of satiety. Drinking BCAAs will help you feel satisfied which will prevent you from reaching towards junk foods!

- Healthy snacks: My favorite go to snacks that are filling is either Cravery Protein Balls or Apple Cinnamon Rice Crisps paired with peanut/almond butter when I'm craving something sweet and savory, but filling.

And as far as cheat meals go...be smart with those too! Some great cheat meals are a burger and sweet potato fries or sushi! My general rule of thumb is having about 1-2 cheat meals per week, preferably on leg day or a day I'm the most active!

6: Buy Only Enough

Now that we have filled our fridge or pantry with SMART and nutritious food, it is important to buy only enough food for that week. If you know you go to the grocery store every week, plan ahead and only buy enough food for that week. This will help you prevent over eating or over indulging. With knowing you only have a set amount of food for the week or having a set portion for each meal that week, will prevent you from going ham when you shouldn't.

7: DRINK WATER

A lot of times, when you are hungry, you actually aren't hungry at all. It is your body telling you that it is thirsty and needs water. Next time you are starting to feel hungry, but are confused because you literally just ate an hour ago, drink at least 8 ounces of water, and see how you feel. I bet you that you won't be hungry anymore. I tell my friends this all the time and you'd be surprised with how often it works!