Ask Mary: How do I Start Eating Healthier

Dear Chef Mary,

Congratulations on the Communities. I’m hoping that it will be a great success. I juggle a full time job as an accountant and I have two young kids. I really feel like I just don’t have the energy or the money to eat right or exercise. I am not horribly over weight but I constantly struggle at 170+/- depending on the day. I also lack motivation to do anything about it, yet there is still a part of me that searches the Internet at night for a change while my kids Olivia and Michael are asleep. They are young and with out going into too much detail I can see that my inactivity is affecting them.

Constantly Searching,

Pattie

Dear Pattie,

Thank you so much for the encouragement, I’m hoping that we’ll be a great success as well. You’re not alone, Pattie, we all have busy lives, but the truth is that change starts within and by writing this e-mail you have taken the first step in doing something about it. Everyone constantly has an inner voice saying do this do that and it’s telling us that we don’t have time to make a significant change in our life. But Pattie, let me tell you; today, is the first step of the rest of your life. Getting into the gym or initiating that walk can be challenging but after you work-out you feel amazing.

“Endorphins are mood elevators. Sometimes you just have to start a 10 minute walk, which can make a huge difference.” Said Cindy Larson a National Fitness Instructor Certified Personal Trainer- Nation Academy.

I have two simple words of encouragement to help you begin.

1. Small Changes- Understand that in the beginning little changes like walking instead of using the elevator, eating an apple instead of a candy bar, drinking more water instead of soda, these small successes will help your brain switch from negative thoughts to positive thoughts. These positive thoughts will help you feel better about yourself, which ultimately will help you make a big change. In the beginning you may think about how you want that candy bar, but one day you won’t have to think about it, and choosing NO will be your way of life.
2. Baby Steps. I want you to make one change a day, and when that feels comfortable move on to something else. Sometimes it takes a little longer to teach an old dog, new trick. Not that you’re an old dog but sometimes we feel set in our ways. It doesn’t mean that it can’t be done, it just means that it may take a little bit longer. I want you to make a life change.

So hang in there Pattie. Keep reading. I will be offering more tips in the future on ways to eat healthy and spending less. Make your self an example for your kids. Remember actions speak louder than words. So if your kids see you exercising and eating healthy foods, they will want to do the same.

“Your participation will be infectious to your children” Larson said.

Or at least it will begin to feel comfortable to them. In the long run we all want to raise our children to be healthy adults.