NNMC Getting Started: Take Small Steps

When it comes to changing one's diet, it can often be overwhelming. You may feel like there is so much information and so many changes to make, you just can't get a handle on it. Today's tip, and the overarching theme of this challenge, is to take small steps, because, no matter how cliché it may sound, they really can add up to big results. It's not about the shake up where you change everything at once. When you tackle one issue at a time, you can master it and integrate the change into your lifestyle. Before you know it, you'll have made great strides. Throughout this challenge, I encourage you to take things at your own pace. If something has really got you stuck, take the extra time to iron out any problems and get the hang of it.

To illustrate this point, I want to share my own food journey with you. Four years ago, I was quite health conscious, but my idea of what was healthy to eat was very different from my philosophy today. Calories were my main concern so anything that cut calories was great in my book. My typical diet consisted of artificially sweetened yogurt and gum (5-10 sticks a day), processed meats, low-calorie canned soups, sugar-free Fudgesicles, frozen dinners, Flaming Hot Cheetos,  Diet Coke, and Fat-Free dressings. Now, I did still eat my fair share of fruits and veggies, but I was always focused on calories. Since then, my diet has changed dramatically. I don't eat any artificial sweeteners, I can't remember the last time I had a soda, and processed foods are not an option. I'm not saying I don't ever have a treat (say hello to the homemade chocolate trifle in my refrigerator), but I'm now focused on wholesome, real ingredients rather than a low-calorie product created in the lab. The point of all this is, I didn't make this change over night. It started with one small step: cutting out artificial sweeteners. Next, I switched to organic dairy. This went on and on until, four years later, I eat a whole foods diet that is a world away from my old style of eating.

I understand how daunting this may seem. Food and our eating habits are such an integral part of our lives. When I started tinkering with the idea of quitting artificial sweeteners I just couldn't imagine how I could live without them. But, by taking that first step and pushing myself, I began a journey that has truly changed my life. So join me in simply putting one foot in front of the other until, before we know it, we'll be miles away from where we started.

National Nutrition Month Challenge: Getting Started

Sometimes, just getting started can be the hardest part of any change. This week (3 days), we will focus on strategies to help set you up for success. When you have the understanding, tools, and skills needed to accomplish any task, it's all that much easier. And, while this isn't necessarily going to be easy, anything you can do to push you in the right direction will help. If you're still on the fence about committing to the challenge, I encourage you to leave all your fears and ideas about yourself behind and see this as an opportunity for growth. Embarking on something new can be scary. All kinds of questions may come up. Can I do this? What if I fail? What if I succeed? Just remember that those times when you step out of your idea of who you are and stretch yourself a little (or a lot) can be the ones you look back on as the most rewarding. Don't be afraid to shake things up and get a little uncomfortable. Trust me, you can do anything you set your mind to.

Top 5 Tips for Making Your New Year's Resolution Last

This time of year, everyone is thinking about the changes they want to make in the year ahead. I for one think that every day is an opportunity for change. In this moment, you can make a different choice. However, I completely understand the allure that a new year brings and the feeling we all get of having a fresh start. I also know that many resolutions don't last past January. With that in mind, these are my Top 5 Tips for keeping your resolution and achieving the success you deserve.

1. Set a Specific Goal

Making a vague resolution like "exercise more" or "save money" only sets you up to fail. Without a specific, measurable goal in mind, there is no way to determine if you reach your goal and it is much easier to fall off the wagon. Instead, make goals such as "exercise at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week" or "save $5,000" which give you something to strive for and measure yourself against.

2. Educate Yourself

Now that you have a goal in mind, research it! Find out what the time commitment will be, what skills and resources you will need, and what mistakes or problems others have had. With this information under your belt, you will be able to effectively tackle your resolution and more likely to succeed because you can prepare yourself and there will be no surprises. Nothing can throw you off faster than an unforeseen obstacle or unavailable resource. In addition, no one wants to work hard, only to be foiled by doing the wrong things in the first place.

3. Develop a Plan

With your destination chosen, you need to figure our how you're going to get there. A plan is essential to keep you on track. The best way I've heard it described is a goal pyramid. At the top, is your long-term goal or resolution. Moving down you have smaller goals and, below those, even smaller goals. For example, if your long-term goal was to lose 50 pounds, your smaller goal may be to lose 4-5 pounds a month. Moving down further, your goal would be to lose 1-2 lbs a week. The more you break it down the better! Having these smaller goals not only makes your long-term goal less daunting, but encourages you to continue. All of these little successes will fuel your confidence and drive and, in the end,  add up to big results.

4. Stay Accountable

Don't hide your resolution for fear of failure. Shout it from the roof-tops! Tell those around you about your goal and encourage them to hold you accountable if you start to slip. As much as I hate to admit it, what others think about us can be a great motivator. No one wants to disappoint their loved ones or feel embarrassed around their friends.

5. Don't Get Derailed by Slip-ups

If you mess up, don't let it phase you. Learn from your mistakes and move forward. An analogy I love for this is a flat tire. If you got a flat tire, you wouldn't jump out of the car and slash the other three tires, would you? Of course not! You would deal with the flat and move on down the road. The same holds true when it comes to reaching your goal. The path you take probably won't be a straight line. All that matters is that you reach the final destination. Set-backs are a reality for everyone. Every successful person you know has experienced failure. What separates the successful people from the unsuccessful is how they deal with those failures. Successful people learn the lesson and then keep pushing forward. The others simply give up. You are no less worthy than anyone else of living your dreams, no matter what they may be, so put your blinders on and make 2012 the year you finally reach your goal.