ONE BITEAT A TIME
BY KIMBERLY OLSON
N
ow that spring is officially in full swing,
Here are the steps to get you started!
You’ve probably heard this term before;
we often find ourselves getting in the
spirit of the season and looking for ways
EAT CLEAN.
SET REALISTIC GOALS.
it’s become pretty mainstream these days.
to start fresh. The most common goal I
Think about what you’d like to see different
It basically means to eat as close to nature
find among my female clients is wanting
in your life and decide a reasonable
as possible. What I like to recommend is
to make better food choices. They want
amount of time it will take to achieve it.
to take this to the next level and make it
to be a good role model for their family,
Also, think of your goal in the present tense
fit for you. Make it a goal to eat as clean
know that they are doing the right thing for
and make sure it is positive. Examples are, “I
as possible given the circumstances. For
long-term health and feel good in a pair
am 20 pounds lighter five months from now”
example, let’s say you’re out to dinner
of jeans! I believe every woman deserves
or “I prepare healthy and delicious meals
with your girlfriends. Look at the healthier
this and I want to share with you what has
for my family most evenings.” By doing this,
options on the menu and even make
worked for me and hundreds of others.
you are preparing your mind to readily
special requests with your order such as
When you think back to all of your failed
receive these changes. I do this in all areas
hold the butter or have the entrée baked
attempts at dieting or starting an exercise
of my life and it works like a charm. You can
or grilled. Although eating out isn’t the
program, you may notice a pattern of
go as far as creating a vision board with
ideal scenario, you can make the most of
just sticking to it for a few days and then
pictures cut out from magazines of things
the situation and choose the best option
falling off the wagon. Why is this? Well
you would like to attract into your life. I also
for you. I also like to keep this tip in mind
what we naturally do is dive in with full
like to close my eyes and visualize what the
when eating at other people’s houses. I eat
gusto, even going as far as purchasing a
future looks like for me. One of my favorite
organic food and lots of veggies, but that
ton of expensive groceries or a hefty gym
quotes is “And all things you ask in prayer,
isn’t always the case for others. Instead
membership, just pumped about how
believing, you will receive.” ~Matthew
of being judgmental, try to embrace the
we’re going to look and feel. But after
21:22
moment and enjoy it. Of course don’t go
overboard, but take the opportunity to
a short time, we don’t see any results.
We don’t look any different and all that
PLAN AHEAD.
apply what you’ve learned and eat the
best you can.
sacrifice is just not adding up. This time, I
Aside from determining what you want to
want you to approach it one bite at a time.
change in your life, this is the single most
As you can see, these steps are really easy
important step. If you don’t plan ahead,
to do, especially once you get the hang
you will find yourself without healthy
of it. Just do the best you can, and if you
goodies in your purse, office desk or pantry.
make a mistake at one meal, or even for a
And before you know it, you are “forced”
whole week, just make a good choice at
to make a poor food choice since nothing
the next meal. You will instantly feel better
else is available. So try this instead - spend
about yourself and realize that you can
part of a specific day each week (I like
do this. Eating this way is not a diet, it’s a
Sundays after church) to plan, purchase
lifestyle. And when it comes to life, you can
and prep. Decide what you’ll cook
guarantee curve balls will be thrown your
for dinner throughout the week, make
way. When they are, remember this, and
a grocery list, go to the store and
take it one bite at a time!
come home to prep what you can
in advance. I write the menu on
Nutrition and fitness expert Kimberly Olson,
our family calendar so everyone
PhD, CNC is the creator of FitKim, a nutrition
can help out. And follow my rule
and fitness blog that teaches people how
of thumb: don’t go to bed until
everything is ready for the next
day (as much as is feasible). It
will work wonders for you!
30
easy it is to be healthy. ◙