To Start

A lot of people ask me what my diet plan is for losing weight. Well, let me lay out what could work for you:

First of all, it has to be a lifestyle change in which you make healthy choices MOST of the time. For a nutrition plan to work, you still must be able to enjoy your favorite foods occasionally!If not, you will get sick of not eating what you like and then binge on crap and then feel like crap. The exception here is that I am a big fan of cutting out fast food. Some places have some healthy options, but I still consider these a sometimes food. Oh, and soda. Soda is just bad. You can slowly phase it out, and once you stop drinking it, it starts tasting way too sweet.

Second, don't be afraid of trying new, healthier options.You never know how you are going to like something until you try it. We have a rule at our house, you must try everything at least twice. And then each time it is made a different way, try it again. It will not kill you and you might discover new things.

Third, YOU ARE NOT A DOG! STOP REWARDING YOURSELF WITH FOOD! Food is meant to be fuel, this doesn't mean that a treat once in a while is bad, but find other things in life to enjoy. Food used to be a big part of my life, now I don't think about it unless I am hungry or am trying to plan for groceries. Trust me, it is freeing to not think about food all the time.

Fourth, start out slow. Don't start tomorrow trying to eat like I do and working out five days a week. You will fail b/c I have worked up to be a free-getarian (I eat mostly vegetarian, but I still eat meat a few times a week). Maybe some day I will be a full blown vegetarian or even vegan, but even I realize I am not ready for that.

Fifth, find a food plan that works for you. Don't try to be something you aren't. If you love red meat, try going paleo or even weight watchers, which allow red meat. If you hate veggies, well, I don't know what to tell you b/c I love them and I have yet to find a plan that is no veggie, but that does not mean that is doesn't exist.

Sixth, don't be afraid to tweak plans to what works best for you. Most nutrition plans are meant as guidelines. You may have to add some extra snacks b/c 1200 calories is way too low for an overweight person that is incorporating exercise.

 Seventh, don't starve yourself. If you feel hungry, eat some fruit or veggies or a small handful of nuts. (I love slivered raw almonds!) Starving leads to binging and binging leads to no change.

Finally, and most importantly, don't give up when you mess up. Each sunrise is a new beginning to make healthy choices. Actually, even if you have a crappy meal, that doesn't warrant you to mess up the rest of your day!