10 Steps to Making the Switch

So you want to make the switch to eating healthier and living a healthy lifestyle, but where on earth do you start?! It's like this whole other world and there's so much to know so how could you even begin?!

This is such a LIFE CHANGING decision and I'm SO EXCITED for you that you're even considering it! I definitely didn't take the first step of MY journey knowing all that I know now. All I knew was that I wanted to get back into my old clothes...and that led to a life completely committed to health being a TOP priority. I was sitting on my couch with a brand new baby and needing a brand new wardrobe for the wrong reasons. Not only did I not want to buy bigger clothes because, well, that's just depressing, but we didn't have the money to do so anyway... so really I didn't have a choice. So I DOVE in and it was one of the top 5 best decisions I've ever made. (More there later. ;) ) And now I want to share with you just how you can make this life change, too, 

Let's keep it simple. One step at a time. There are TWO steps that are the MOST CRUCIAL. The first step and one that I can't really list because it just depends on where it will show up...After this list I'll share that one.

Step 1 (most important): Decide that you're going to start. How can you take a road trip before getting in the car?

Step 2: Start reading nutrition labels--including ingredient lists. Don't worry so much about the details yet, just start paying attention. Look at the calories and fat, sugar, and protein content. Look at the ingredients. I dare you to try to say them out loud. And as you do step 7 & 8, you'll learn more about what you want to see on these labels. 

Step 3: Spend more time around the perimeter of the grocery store. What's out there? Produce. Protein. FRESH food!! Food that was created in nature instead of in a lab! Basically, if it comes in a box, use caution. Allow yourself to spend more money in the grocery store because you're cutting out most of the eating out!! What you buy in the store is the food you're going to be consuming aaaaall day almost every single day instead of what society passes off as "food" or even "healthy food."

Step 4: Don't try to change everything at once. The LAST thing I want is for you to get overwhelmed and just quit on yourself. 

Step 5: Think ahead and stay away from the drive thru. Instead of relying on this these pre-packaged, FAKE (yeah I said it) foods (pumped full of extra sodium, fat, and sugar), prepare yourself before you go out the door. Take healthy snacks! Anticipate that you are going to get hungry and need a good option!

Step 6: Surround yourself with other health conscious people. You need support, encouragement, accountability, and inspiration on a journey like this. Do you realize just how much more successful people are when they have like-minded people around them?? They push you when times get tough. They teach you and help you learn more. They give you new delicious recipes to try. ;) This is one of the best things you can do to help yourself succeed in this lifestyle change. This is one reason why I love our challenge groups so much! Whether it's there or a group of friends at work or WHATEVER, find yourself some people to do this with together. (And if you need help with this, hit that "I want to be your FREE coach" tab or the "Let's be Friends" tab and we'll get you into our group on Facebook!)

Step 7: Research. Just like you're doing now! KEEP LEARNING more and more about what it means to eat healthy! There are soooo many resources out there- blogs, books, instagram accounts, websites..there is a TON of information that you can dive into! I hope this blog is an excellent resource for you. I also share some tips with my Facebook & instagram friends & followers, so be sure to connect with me there! Some of my favorite online resources include um GOOGLE (seriously, if I have a question I will go there and look through a few sites to see what they say), The Gracious Pantry, and Michi's Ladder to help me know which foods to choose (kind of crucial). 

Step 8: Research. Yeah...more. The more you know, the more you'll realize that this country has a serious problem with what is passed off as "food." Check out Hungry for Change... it seriously might change everything about how you view food.   

Step 9: Find a healthy balance. This can only come when you research more and more. DON'T cut out carbs or fat. (You know what? I think I need to follow this up with a DOs and DON'Ts post, yes?) Your body NEEDS health carbs and healthy fats along with protein and micronutrients (all of those vitamins and minerals) in order to function properly--the way it's supposed to. Yeah, you might drop some pounds when you initially cut out all carbs, but your body will eventually say, "HEY! You WILL give me carbs or else I'll just pass out. Or binge on sugar. Or have ZERO energy." << for real. You NEED nutrients!!!

The other most important step? Don't EVER quit. Realize that your precious life is TOO valuable to ever give up on this thing called health. This country has become SO focused and reliant on immediate satisfaction that we, too many times, lose sight of the big picture. You have to think about yourself 10, 20, 50 years from now. What kind of life do you want to be living? On multiple medications? Stuck to a bed because you're too heavy to walk around and live life? In a hospital bed because you're so sick? So when you just feel like giving up and want to go back to the old way full of "burgers," and chips, and coke, and cookies, and aaaaaaall of those preservatives and chemicals and additives, think about yourself years down the line. 


And when you think "just one more won't hurt," realize that the crap they pump into these "foods" is literally addictive and will just make it harder for you to get back on track. 

Oh, and are you thinking, "but this healthy stuff just doesn't taste as good!!"? 
I thought the same. I was the pickiest eater ever. But I promise you, after you've committed to this a while, you'll realize just how flavorful these healthy foods are and any time you try those old go-tos again, like that wonderful Vanilla Diet Coke I used to drink daily...you'll want to just spit it back out and be absolutely stunned at how you could ever have enjoyed it. 

I've been thinking about sharing with you all my own typical grocery list. Would this help you? Did this 10 step list help you at all? Leave a comment and let me know!