We all have seasons of life that make living a healthy lifestyle more difficult, when food choices, exercise, and caring for our bodies takes the back seat. Today we are going to talk about ways to make living a healthy lifestyle part of our everyday lives long term; Even in the busiest of seasons!

There are many excuses that all of us could make for not living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, there will almost always be something that will keep us too busy, distract us, or something that seems more important than taking care of our bodies. However, all of these things are simply not good enough reasons for not taking care of ourselves. If we were honest with ourselves, we would realize that all of these things would get done more efficiently if we were healthy and in good physical shape! So, all excuses aside, let’s talk about practical ways that can help us stay on track when life gets busy.

1. Avoid the Diet Mentality. One of the things that I believe can be extremely detrimental to our long term pursuit of health is having an all or nothing diet mentality. When we go down the road of all or nothing, it can set us up for a potential downward spiral if things aren’t 100% perfect, (which they won’t always be). In fact, I can tell you from experience that even the best, most realistic plans can fail at times; And when they don’t, it doesn’t mean that you have failed or that you should feel guilty. In fact, one of the worst things you could do is start to feel shame; As it will only get you into a defeated mindset and could get you even farther off track.

In order to break free from this mentality, it is important to realize that a fit and healthy lifestyle is all about your mindset. The truth is, no one is ever perfect all of the time…But the people who are successful at reaching their health and fitness goals are the people that have a realistic mentality that they will do the best that they can with what they have been given, and when they get off track, they are look for the next opportunity to get right back on track! The ultimate reward to following these five key points and having a realistic mentality about living a healthy lifestyle is that you will be able to enjoy life in the healthiest body possible for you! Decide going forward that something is better than nothing and choose to focus on the good. When we focus on our “wins” rather than our perceived “failures” we will be much more likely to move forward in positive mindset (and our behaviors will follow), and continue down the road of balance and success.

2. Be Prepared. One of the most important things that you could do to maintain a healthy weight long term is being prepared. If you know that you are going to have a busy week for example, plan to have leftovers, de-thaw a frozen meal, or prepare parts of your meal before the busy days hit. That way you will have something quick and healthy ready to go, and you won’t be tempted to grab an unhealthy option. When you’re on-the-go, be sure to have something, such as a homemade protein bar or balls, portion controlled bag of nuts, or a piece of fruit and cheese stick or almond butter packet with you at all times. This will ensure that you won’t run to something unhealthy out of convenience or starvation.

3. Have a Backup Meal Plan. What do we do when life gets crazy, and we simply don’t have the time, energy, or organization to have a plan!? This is where the back up meal plan comes into play! I share with women all of the time that it is also important to have at least 3 simple and healthy go-to meals in your back pocket for when life gets really busy!

We have all had days when you simply don’t have the capacity to think about meal planning, or even what to have for dinner. In those cases, having a few set go-to’s that will serve as a backup so you don’t resort to fast food or takeout. Have a few staple items in your freezer and pantry that will allow you to put together a 15-minute meal when you are low on time, groceries, or mental energy. You may also find it helpful to have a few frozen meals that you prepare in advance, and/or fill a few freezer ziplock bags with meats and veggies that can be thrown into a crockpot when you are in a hurry. Personally, I like to have breakfast for dinner, (Dashing Dish protein pancakes and eggs), a wrap with egg or chicken salad, and a flatbread 15 minute pizza when I am short on time and resources. I always try to have the ingredients for these quick and easy meals on hand, as well as having something in my freezer to pull out and pop in the oven or crockpot!

3. Have a Backup Exercise Plan. When it comes to exercise, the ‘all or nothing’ mentality can be detrimental in the long run. Of course there is a relationship to how much effort you put forth and the results you achieve. That being said, I have found that one of the best ways to stick to a workout plan is to ask yourself what is realistic for you! If you can only realistically stick to an exercise routine that is three days per week, then that is what you will ultimately stick to long term. Another important aspect of forming a long term plan for moving your body is finding something that is enjoyable to you. If you are forcing yourself to do an exercise program that is dreadful, then find something that you do enjoy! There are so many ways to move your body and get physical activity, so if you know there is a workout something that you can’t see yourself committing to longterm, then search for something that you will stick to.

Despite the best laid plans however, there will be days when our workouts get pushed aside when other things take priority. On those days, it is better to do something rather than nothing at all. For example, if you are unable to get to the gym one day, you can still try to stay active, even during the busiest of days. Taking the stairs, parking far away from the building you are going into, or even turning down dessert when offered will all help bring you one step closer to your goals! Every little effort will keep you moving in the right direction, rather than the yo-yo mentality that goes along with the ‘all or nothing’ approach.

5. Get in the Habit of Looking for Healthy Alternatives. Putting “rules” on foods and making them off limits can create unnecessary fixations, which can lead to bingeing and unhealthy behaviors towards food. Instead of creating a list of “good” and “bad” foods, get in the habit of looking for and creating healthy alternatives to your favorite foods. This way you will be able to enjoy every bite while nourishing your body, and feel satisfied rather than deprived! The best part of creating health alternatives is that you don’t have to experience the after-effects (both physically and mentally) of unhealthy dishes, and you can feel good about your choices because you know it is a part of your plan! This allows for flexibility and freedom long term; And with thousands of recipes to choose from on Dashing Dish, you can find almost all of your favorite treats and meals made in a healthier way!

6. Determine Why You’re Eating. Learning to identify and differentiate true physical hunger from emotional hunger is critical. When you’re mindlessly snacking, or making choices that aren’t aligned with your goals, pause and ask yourself if your spirit is feeling empty. If the answer is yes, you need to fill up on a heaping helping of truth from God’s Word, not food. Simply go to the Source of all nourishment. The Lord will nourish your soul hunger with what truly satisfies.

7. Start using hunger identification tools. One of the single most important keys to long term success, is learning to listen to your body, which is also known as mindful eating. Eventually it will become a more natural process once you have learned to tune into your body’s natural signals. One of the things that can help tremendously when it comes to identifying hunger is to make an effort to sit down and truly enjoy your meals. Take the time to be relaxed and enjoy each bite. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, or you are running around and busy, consider waiting to eat or having a small snack until you can sit down and be at peace while you eat your meal. Make it your goal to be present during your meals, enjoying the way the food tastes, noticing the smells and textures, and paying attention to how it makes your body feels both during and after you eat. Turn off the television and put your phone where you can’t see it. If you’re with others, focus on conversing. You may be surprised how much this will change your level of enjoyment and satisfaction when it comes to food!

Making choices that impact our bodies is a lifelong journey, and we believe it is possible to enjoy the journey! We pray Dashing Dish is a blessing in yours! xo Katie