I actually hadn’t planned on dieting until I woke up on New Year’s Day and decided I had had enough. For all of 2012 I had been very indulgent when it came to food, and it had taken its toll. Until recently, I had never realized that I am an emotional eater, and the stresses of juggling parenthood, working, keeping house, and being a wife were driving me to eat all the time. Obviously, this is not ideal!
Unfortunately, eating healthy isn’t always the cheapest route, but constantly having to buy bigger clothes isn’t, either. So I have been loading my grocery cart with tons of fresh veggies and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains; and trying to refrain from buying processed foods.
Other changes I have been making are drinking lots more water, and taking (at least) a 20-minute walk per day.
One of the added benefits of eating more healthfully? Instilling a sense of healthful eating into my little boys. They still love their Oreos, but I have been insisting that they eat more fruit and veggies, and they have been complying (much to my surprise!).
I think the key is not to overdo it and deprive oneself—because this really is about changing eating habits for life, not just for a few months. It isn’t just about the food, either; it’s about the mindset that goes with it. For me, changing the mindset is the hardest part of all!
What do you do to take better care of yourself?
