5 TIPS TO GET YOU OUT OF A FOOD RUT!

There's no denying that even if you feel you have a good relationship with food, it is not fine and dandy 100% of the time. It is normal to go through ups and downs with your nutrition just as it is in life in general. The key is ride the waves without judgement and do your best not to get caught in the extremes. What I hope this post will help you with is bringing you out of that food rut so you don't reach those extremes and get stuck there for too long.

Even though we know how good healthy eating is for us and how good we feel when we do get our nutrition back on track, we all have times where just CAN NOT DO IT RIGHT NOW. So next time that might be you, come back to this post and hopefully it will give you the motivation to stop feeling guilty about where you might be at, and give yourself that kick in the butt you need to get your nutrition back on track.

1. Dissociate from any physical markers of health - and for most of us this means your weight! Stop shaming yourself for whatever those scales might say! Just imagine that your body, right now, is at a weight you are happy and confident with. Go about your eating as if you are 100% happy with how you are physically (even if deep down you may not be right at this minute). This should kick start a positive attitude and will help get you back in the habit of eating well because you want to, not because you think the scales want you to!

2. Just start! Do not allow yourself to make any more excuses. Right this minute I want you to grab something nutritious (a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, a salad, a smoothie) what ever it might be, and sit without distractions enjoying each and every bite (or sip) before you read ahead.

3. Make a plan. I know it's an obvious one but take 10 minutes right now to plan what you will be having for each meal this week and it will make a huge difference. It doesn't need to be complicated it just needs to provide some accountability and guidance because the more we are put on the spot to think about meals, the more room there is in that mind of yours for excuses or for choosing the easy nutrient lacking options. This way it is all laid out for you so no decisions need to be made when you've had the day from hell and you are haaaaangry! 

4. Take your eating plan day by day. For some people the thought of having to eat healthy for an entire week (or multiple weeks) can be overwhelming. So although you have your plan there, don't get stressed about what's happening later in the week. Every night, have a look at your plan for the next day and prep everything you need. Tick those meals off one by one and then get ready for the next day.

5. Make your next week of healthy eating exciting! Buy a new blender or a spiraliser, make that nutritious muffin recipe you've been keeping aside, buy a new cook book, turn dinner time into date time, or have a friend over to cook a meal together! Making the first week that bit more exciting can be enough to get you back into those good habits and continue for the weeks to come.