Unhealthy behaviors typically contribute to weight gain. If you want to lose weight successfully and get healthy, you need to alter those behaviors that allowed the weight gain in the first place. It absolutely matters what you eat. When you eat, where you eat and how you eat are just as important. Identifying behavior-modification techniques that help you define your eating habits can be the key to losing weight and keeping it off.
Becoming aware of your eating habits can help you understand that eating is more than just meeting nutritional needs. Changing those habits takes discipline, effort and time, but doing that work can lead to a lifetime of rewards. In order to change your habits, you must think differently and reject self-defeating behaviors and thoughts and trade them for good behaviors that build self-control.
Trying to alter a lifetime of unhealthy habits at one time only leads to frustration and temptation to go back to those bad habits. Slow and steady is the ideal plan of action. Making little changes here and there and giving yourself time to adjust gives you time to unlearn the unhealthy behaviors and adopt the good ones that lead to a healthier lifestyle.
A few ways to adopt good behaviors can include:
- Journal your food, along with the thoughts, feelings and emotions you had while eating.
- Write down your desires, goals and wishes and refer to them often.
- Plan ahead so that your home is stocked with nutritious food.
- Make a plan when eating out at restaurants so that you choose healthy food options.
- Chew slowly and savor each bite.
- Use smaller foods so that your plates look fuller.
- Chew gum when cooking meals so that you avoid sampling while you cook.
- Take a brisk ten-minute walk to raise your energy levels.
If you are having trouble adjusting to healthier behaviors, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know that you need help. They can be a great source of support. After all, they will also benefit from your improved health, energy and vitality.