Keep consistent- Start small and make little changes. Think things like switching a sweet treat for a healthier version, you don’t have to go without or make huge sacrifices. Just try adding one healthy act, even if that means adding a serving of greens to one of your meals, or meal prepping some healthy snacks. This is a realistic, sustainable approach to healthy eating, which won’t overwhelm you or encourage you to abandon all your efforts because you feel restricted- Make it sustainable for you because that’s what is going to give you long lasting results.
Prepare- While you don’t need to prepare a week’s worth of meals on a Sunday night, it is a good idea to clear the cupboards of tempting unhealthy foods. Make sure you stock up on fresh fruit, veg and lean protein, and have some healthy snacks ready to go for the week. This small effort will mean you’re much more likely to choose healthy alternatives if they’re right in front of you and not be tempted by a piece of buttery toast when you're starving.
Keep your liquid day- Liquid days are beneficial even after 1 day but doing them weekly is really where you’re going to see some progress and hopefully results. Be adventurous and try different smoothie and soup recipes out so you don’t get bred or stuck in a rut. There are lots on my website for inspiration if you need.
Keep up your intermittent fasting- My suggestion would be to intermittent fasting for 1-2 days of the week following the guidelines I mentioned during the week. It’s a really good way to keep up a routine and a consistent pattern.
Control your carbs- We really don’t need as many as we think we do! Society has us thinking toast for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner is the norm but get experimental and follow the ‘normal day for weight loss’ meal plan as your guide. When you do eat your carbs opt for slow releasing whole food sources such as sweet potatoes, lentils, gluten free oats, good quality gluten free seeded bread or a little sourdough, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat.
Watch for empty calories- Consuming too many empty calories can put a screeching halt to your weight loss plan. These can mainly be found in condiments, sauces, salad dressings, alcohol, creamy coffee shop lattes and bags of seemingly healthy snacks like corn chips. These calories can rapidly add up without you even realising you had consumed many of them. Something to be mindful of especially over the summer when bbq’s and rose’ drinking is in full swing.
Keep up some movement everyday- The most achievable and sustainable kind of exercise for us ALL is walking. We can all do it for 30 mins a day. If you're pressed for time now many of us are back at work, perhaps take a walk during your lunch break or get off the train a stop early, even taking the stairs more or parking in a further car parking spot all add up and get you moving more.
