Fitness4Her

Women's Fitness

10 Affirmations To Help You Eat Healthy

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All great successes begin with an idea and a decision to turn that idea into a reality. This same principal can be applied to eating healthier, once you make the decision, you begin preparing your mind to accept this new idea and to find ways to make it happen.

Controlling the mind is the secret to controlling the body. Every success is first achieved in the mind. You must believe it to achieve it. The difference between where you are and where you want to be is how you think. When you want to make lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and managing your weight, affirmations can help you condition your mind to take control.

Start your day with positive affirmations to lift you up and strengthen your will. Let go of limiting beliefs, be confident in your abilities and realize that you are closer to your goal than you were yesterday. With each affirmation, build yourself up in body, mind and soul.

Affirmations will inspire your journey toward eating healthy for life. These positive statements will program your mind for success. Repeat the affirmations several times daily and write them down. This repetitiveness helps to confirm the belief in your mind and will make it easier to modify your eating patterns.

Affirmations build confidence that you will succeed, and you will. These positive statements are the truth within you. By speaking your truth, you affirm your decision to eat healthy and make positive steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Below are 10 affirmations that work for me. Repeat these several times and draw strength from the power of these positive thoughts. Feel free to add your own affirmations to the list.

1. I love to eat healthy foods.
2. I crave vegetables.
3. I prefer fruit to greasy fries.
4. Small portions fill me up.
5. Water is my thirst quencher.
6. I drink water more than any beverage.
7. I look for ways to make my foods healthier.
8. When I am hungry, I will reach for healthy foods.
9. I take time to savor the taste of my food.
10. Healthy foods make me feel stronger.

Plan Ahead To Eat Healthy

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Carefully planning your meals in advance will ensure you have the right ingredients on hand to prepare healthy, nutritious meals. Making a plan will help to balance your meals so you get the right amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet. It’s also a smart way to save money when you do a little planning before you head to the grocery store.

Make a chart for the week and decide what you want to eat for each meal. Be flexible if you think you might dine out for any of the meals. Think about foods you want to prepare and take an inventory of the ingredients that you already have. Make a list of the items you need to buy. Don’t forget about snacks. Add foods to your list that you want to keep on-hand for quick snacks. Fruits, nuts, and cheeses are all healthy foods that are easy to eat on the run.

Select a variety of menu items so your meals never get boring. Browse through cookbooks or surf the Internet for different recipes you can prepare. Don’t be afraid to try cuts of meat that you may not have cooked before. Substitute sautéing for frying and grilling for baking to cut calories while adding a touch of versatility to your presentations. Look for ways to prepare foods that will lower excess calories, salt, sugar or saturated fat from foods you have sworn off from. Experiment with herbs and seasonings to give your food that gourmet taste.

Colorful food, like peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, beets and squash decorate the plate and taste great. The array of colors adds excitement to every entrée. Enjoying your food is as important as the nutrition you get from it. Love your food and get the most out of every bite.

You don’t have to stick strictly to your plan, but it’s always helpful to have one in place. If you decide to dine out rather than eat in, you can always postpone each planned meal by one day or use the time-sensitive ingredients like produce and meat as soon as you can. Raw veggies are great on a salad, so if you don’t have time to cook them just toss them together and have them for lunch or a side dish at dinner.

To ensure healthy eating at every meal, plan ahead. Even when dining out, make a mental plan of what you want to eat. Eat a small apple and a full glass of water before the meal if you are afraid of overeating. Go easy on the bread and appetizers so you get the most out of your main meal. Planning ahead will always help you to eat healthy no matter where you dine.