Now is the time to think about…. what you want to create…. in the 6 weeks ahead? I am going to give you some ideas, on planning and how to achieve your best nutrition!
Here is an analogy I would like you to think about…….we have been doing some renovations to a very old home (built in the late 1800’s…..it still had an outside dunny!) and I have been creating/designing the new kitchen and bathrooms etc……this then involved stripping back the layers completely…..back to the wooden framework…..so that we could then start again and add the things we do want….while keeping the good things (like the old wood stove)…….over the weeks we will be ending up with a whole new space once all the changes are in place! It is hard work but we have a clear picture and as things fall into place it is worth the effort…..much like your challenge will be… once you make effective changes…..so you see the results you are after!
Imagine the 6 weeks ahead……..you and your present home and kitchen being the ‘old picture’ ….your old choices and habits and how things are at present…….and where you are at, what do you want and need to change…….consider and plan, create a picture in you mind, on paper, look around for ideas that inspire you, find out what others have found works…… before you start the ‘renovations’!
So with that in mind I would like you to consider these points:
- There are no short cuts! Effort is required, along with commitment to complete the tasks required! There will be challenging days where you just keep putting one foot in front of the other…….until things start to shape! They will if you are determined and make the appropriate effort.
- You need to strip back to the basics and remove the things that will be unhelpful to your goals- e.g. you may decide to give the deep fryer away, give the junk food away, remove the temptation………no death by chocolate or triple choc cookies or at the very least put them out of site and reach.
- You might think of good things you can add, create a list of good habits to incorporate, consider equipment that will help you be more effective (juicer, blender, George Forman griller, quality preparation tools, good containers for storage and freezer, colander and non-stick cookware being a few items you could consider.
- Consider the organization of your kitchen and the type of foods in the pantry. What good foods can you keep there as staples that will help you thought the busy days when there is limited time……so you don’t just go for the take away or junk option anymore!
Some good pantry staples include:
Baked beans, canned salmon and tuna, canned tomatoes, low fat low additive chicken stock salt, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, brown rice, basmati rice, Ryvita crackers, butter beans,Mixed beans, chick peas, natural peanut butter, crushed garlic, crushed ginger, curry powder, ground coriander seed, cinnamon, frozen veg and crusty seeded bread in the freezer, fresh and frozen fruit and veg bought weekly, fresh salad leaves, little tomatoes, avocados, lemons, fresh lean meat bought weekly or fortnightly and packed for easy use and stored in the freezer.
Keep an eye out for a more comprehensive article listing all pantry items soon……meantime consider what you might change, clear out and other things to add….give consideration to healthy meal options you like and stock up on those items each week. Meal Plans make it so much easier….which is why we include options for you where so many things have been considered while putting the selections together.
- You may think of making your space you live in a more relaxing and an enjoyable space to be in by doing a spring clean and adding a few fresh touches…….changing things around is a great cue to remind you of the good intentions and plans you have…..helps you change gear….from the old ways…and into your new and best life for you!
- Create some guidelines for yourself, things you will do and things you won’t do anymore. You don’t have to do them all in one week, pick one per week! Choose points you will use and can stick to that suit you – e.g. When eating a meal….either sit with company and enjoy your meal or simply sit at the table and enjoy your meal…….another words ditch doing other stuff while you are eating a meal. Enjoy the meals you do have and take some time putting them together with company, involve everyone to play a part. There is an art to good wholesome tasty meals that feed your body and soul there by deleting cravings or feeling deprived.
- Last but definitely not least……..BE POSITIVE!!……no matter what…..always refer back to WHAT POSITIVES CAN I GET FROM THIS! They are usually there if you look hard enough …..and if not…..you need to change your approach or environment! Crowd out the negatives with positives!
So summing up……..think about the picture you want to see…….imagine yourself already looking and feeling your best as you would like…..realistically, you have to believe it for it to work……what does that feel and look like. Then start to strip back the things in your life that are not helping you reach your best self, up to this point…… start adding the things that will help you make changes and enjoy the process. Create a lifestyle you will love living and feeling your best…..it is worth the effort. I read a quote once…..it said the harder I work the luckier I get…….its about working smart and making appropriate selections that have a collective goodness about them…..over time that adds up and the picture starts to become clearer.
Enjoy the anticipation and planning……..create an adventure…..involve others and enjoy it as much as you can!
Push Nutritionist