Lainey, I really related to the Hayley article you posted on Apr 24th titled, “Small steps and weekly goals”, as I’m basically going through the same thing.  I have since started making small goals like Hayley suggested in terms of exercise; however I’m really struggling when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. 

Can Hayley suggest a smart and healthy way to begin tackling this?  I have tried Weight Watchers numerous times with little success and am constantly reading about the “best” new diet (most recently the DASH diet) has caught my eye. I know my biggest problem/fault in this area is discipline (it’s just SO much easier to make KD during an all-day study session), and I’m trying to improve on that…but can Hayley provide any tips or plans as a jumping off point?  Does she recommend diet plans like WW?  Please Help! Thanks!!

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Don’t take this the wrong way but insanity is when you keep trying the same thing but expecting a different result. Now I am not calling you insane but it is time you try another way of tackling this issue.

Diets do not work, ever. It is a fact and it is proven over and over again. However, Weight Watchers is one of the only “diet” programs that does have some success because they teach women how to eat properly without deprivation. It does not seem to work for you though as you still think that KD is the best way to fuel your study sessions. Did you know that boiling a pot of water, throwing in some whole wheat pasta and cooking up some pasta sauce with a ton of veggies is just as easy and way better for you?

Just as you are already doing with your exercise (setting small goals) you need to do that with your nutrition. Make a small step and once that becomes habit then make another change, continuing to change step by step. 

The first step is to commit to making change and begin on a program that you can stay consistent with.

Start with a goal of eating a healthy breakfast every morning. Try non fat plain Greek yoghurt (plain is the key here as the flavoured yoghurt is loaded with sugar) with some fresh fruit and a sprinkle of almonds. Or an egg omelette and a piece of whole grain toast. Or a protein smoothie, which is what I have every single morning as it is easy and actually tastes good (my recipe is 1 banana, ½ cup of frozen blueberries, hemp hearts, a scoop of Vega Vanilla Protein and water). 

Next add a healthy morning snack, maybe an apple and peanut butter or a Larabar or a few almonds and a piece of fruit. After that work on increasing how much water you are drinking in a day. Then get rid of the KD!

The next step is cooking healthy meals for dinner, focusing on lean protein and veggies, cooking extra so you have leftovers for the next day. 

Preparation and planning is the key here, so make sure your house is stocked full of nutritious foods which will make it easier to for you to make the right choices (in other words, do not buy KD anymore).  Only you can make the change and you need to do the work to make the change. It is not easy but if you want it bad enough you can make it happen. 

Attached -- Russell Brand at yoga.