3 Ways to Stop Overthinking Your Diet
By Genevieve Cunningham
Trying to eat a healthy diet stresses out a lot of people. It's not the actual food that's stressful -- it's knowing what to do. What to eat. Where to begin. It's so easy to become overwhelmed. And when we become overwhelmed, we're far more likely to give up and forget the idea altogether. But maybe it doesn't have to be that way. If we can calm our nerves about the process of healthy eating, maybe we can improve our chances of sticking with it and getting healthy! If this sounds like something you're ready to do in your life, take a look at three ways to stop overthinking healthy eating starting right now.
Keep It Simple
Don't go straight to complicated recipes and foods you've never even heard of. You'll very quickly become overwhelmed, and throw the entire idea (and possibly your food!) right out the window. Instead, just choose a simple vegetable to include in your diet. Instead of a juice made of exotic fruit, choose water. Instead of going totally vegetarian, choose a healthier meat option. Keep it as simple as possible, and your mind and body will transition much more easily.
Maintain a Long-Term Goal
Keep in mind that the goal is not a 50-pound weight loss in a month. It's not immediate change. It's not a quick fix. The goal is a long-term one -- better health for the rest of your life. If you keep this goal in mind, it puts every day into perspective. You made a mistake today? That's OK because you can try again tomorrow. Remember that this is a long-term lifestyle change, and relax about being perfect right now.
Be Flexible
When we're too rigid with ourselves, it creates more stress. We worry about every little thing we're doing. We worry about one poor choice. We really restrict our ability to go with the flow. Make sure that you remain flexible. You're going to learn more as you go, and that may require you to make changes on the fly. Just roll with it and your stress will go down as your health goes up.
If you overthink the process of healthy eating, it's not going to work. You're only going to be more stressed and on edge. It's time to take a deep breath, learn as much as you can, and very slowly make changes to your regular diet. Use these tips to stay calm through the process, and you're far more likely to find success on the other side.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Alpharetta, Ga.