6 Healthy Lifestyle Changes That Aren't a Diet

If you want to lose weight but aren’t into this whole diet thing, I don’t blame you!

Diets are short-term fixes for problems that can potentially be long term, and more than that, you are trying to fix something in a matter of months that has likely developed over several years. 

It doesn’t make sense, and as such, for most people is not the answer that leads to long-term changes like they are looking for. 

Instead of dieting, opt for a lifestyle change. 

Make sustainable changes to your life, eating habits and routine that you can maintain over the long term. 

It may take you longer to see results, but you will keep them longer and not end up back where you are now! 

Here are 6 simple changes to help you get started:

1. 80/20 rule – This means 80% of your diet is clean, natural, healthy food that is nourishing and fills you up, while the other 20% can be a little less strict and include the treats that you love and the desserts that you crave.
2. Drink water – Not only because it is good for you and necessary for all bodily functions, but also because water makes you feel fuller and prevents you from overeating, it helps you maintain better skin health, improves brain function and concentration and lack of water is often at the root cause of low energy and lethargy.  Aim for 2-3 liters per day if possible.
3. Eat the whole portion – We always see things that are off limits, such as cake or chips, or desserts and think  “oh well, I will only have one, or one bite, or one piece.”  But then we are not satisfied because we feel like we were gipped from the full thing and end up going back again and again and eating way more than we would have if we ate the whole portion to start with.  So just start with the whole portion.  Not a large portion, but one that is big enough that it will satisfy you and not make you feel ripped off!
4. Move – Right now, it may seem like you don’t have time to exercise, but at some point on your health journey, you will start to make time to exercise, and that starts with simply moving.  10-15 minutes is fine, even if it is just a short walk on your lunch break, walking up the stairs instead of using the elevator in the morning, or parking farther from your train station.  Each of these things adds up, and something is always better than nothing!
5. Clean out your cupboard – If it’s not in your house, you can’t eat it.  Set yourself up for success by eliminating things from your cupboard that you know cause you to overeat or that you can’t resist.  When you do get them, as a treat for yourself (see 1 and 3 above), buy them in small quantities and don’t let them linger around the house!
6. Add greens to every meal – This simple change boosts your vitamin, mineral and fiber intake drastically, but doesn’t boost your calories unnecessarily.  Put some spinach in your breakfast smoothie, add mixed greens to your lunchtime wrap and have a kale salad with your dinner.  These are simple things that will have a big pay off and help you develop and great long-term habit!

By: Laura Peill –  Viand Nutrition