Become your own nutritionist
It’s safe to say that from time to time, many of us have considered seeking more in-depth knowledge about nutrition, our bodies and our overall wellbeing. The benefits of keeping healthy are endless, not to mention how good you’ll feel and in turn, look. However, the fees associated with seeking the advice of a medical expert can be expensive. So, consider this: What if you became your own expert?
There are numerous studies on the importance of keeping your mind busy and continuing to learn as you age, thus, taking up a course in nutrition is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
Here are a number of things you can do on your own to keep your health in check
Assess yourself
Do you need to lose weight? Check you BMI (body mass index) to see if you are in the healthy range. Even if you are not overweight, you may need to learn to eat more healthily. Go back to basics and a good place to start is with the old health pyramid. Check it out here.
Fill yourself with knowledge
Ever wondered what really makes up a healthy diet? Enrolling in a short course will not only ensure you give your nutrition a helping hand; it will do wonders for safeguarding good brain health too.
Set very specific, targeted, achievable, motivating goals
Write down your long-term goals and outline in detail the steps you’ll take to carry them out over time. Don’t simply say, “I’m going to lose X amount of kilos.” Devise a thorough plan of attack, complete with strategies for dealing with all potential stumbling blocks, and then track your progress consistently.
Find your calorie level
The number of calories you consume is important, so find out your recommended daily intake and stick to it. You should also focus on decreasing and limiting foods such as refined carbohydrates, those high in saturated fats and with added sugar.
Examine your past successes and failures
It is not uncommon that many people who have lost and regained weight feel somewhat confused about what has worked or failed for them in the past. Write a list covering what has and hasn’t worked and then plan your goals around the elements where you found success.
Create a weekly eating guide
Planning meals in advance is extremely important because it leaves less room for things to go wrong, which is usually when people fall off the wagon. Write down everything, including where you plan to eat out and what you’ll order.
Keep a food diary
A diary is a great way to create heightened self-awareness, which is key in changing bad habits and learned behaviours that aren’t good for you. These days there are many smart phone apps that can help you do this – MyFitnessPal and Meal Snap are both great places to start.