How To Transition to a Healthy Life For The First Time

Since transitioning to a healthy life in 2010, I’ve lost and kept off 20 – 25 pounds. It has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding for me, and to those around me.

Here are  three lessons I’ve learned since my transition to living healthier and happier that you can use to make your transition a little easier. Hold on to these lessons every time you feel discouraged, and need motivation.

You have to accept yourself, AS YOU ARE not as you hope to be

We all start somewhere. When I began this journey, I wasn’t happy with the woman I saw in the mirror. I had a long list of things I wanted to change, but it wasn’t until I learned to love myself that I truly began healing.

Falling in love with yourself will make this transition easier. Once you learned to be comfortable in your own skin, you’ll be empowered to want to change the things you can control and not worry about the things you can’t.

The sooner you internalize what that meant, you’ll  begin seeing the results you want. Unless you decide to change your lifestyle, you are not going to succeed.

Start saying no! No to happy hours, no to foods you loved your whole life, and no to people who do not support you. You have to give yourself permission to change and grow. Otherwise, this process will be much harder. You must love yourself enough to be willing to change.

You have to change your lifestyle

Change can be very scary. I often say that transitioning to a healthier lifestyle is like being born again (I am not kidding).

You have to learn to eat differently, cook differently, behave differently, and you must surround yourself with people moving in the same direction. You might be able to lie to others, but you cannot lie to yourself, no matter how hard you try.

One of the biggest myths around being healthier is that you have to change overnight. That’s unrealistic. This process will take time.

Be patient with yourself, set small goals for every day, every week, every month and you will see how your mind, body, and spirit transforms for the better. One meal at the time, one day after the other.

At times you will feel overwhelmed. There is no shortage of diets, products, and people who claim they can help you reach your goals.

You might be asking yourself, “Where is the best place to start?” I am glad you asked. The first thing you can do is begin reading!

Yes, ladies, reading is step one.

• Review every label for every item in your kitchen, if you do not know any ingredient, google it. Find out what it is, what it does and if it banned anywhere in the world.
• Pay close attention to both salt and sugar because they are everywhere. Rule of thumb, if you do not know at least one ingredient on your label, DO NOT BUY IT!

Start meal prepping. If you are on the fence, read this.

• Meal prep looks different for everyone. That is why you have to take your time to identify which meal prep technique best fits your lifestyle. You will be surprised at how a little preparation can drastically help improve your health and help you reach your goals.

Living healthier doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s all about figuring out what works for you.

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