4 Reasons You’re Not in a Healthy Eating Groove

Ok, so you’ve fallen out of your healthy eating groove. What can you do to get back into a routine? I got you…

First step is all about SELF-IDENTITY. Research finds you are more likely to choose nutritious foods if YOU THINK OF YOURSELF AS A HEALTHY EATER. TRUTH: You will act in alignment with the person you think you are. So use your inner self talk to channel your inner health nut.

PS: I also talked about self-identity in last week’s WOW about exercise. Your self-identity is in charge of just about all behaviors.
 

Now before I go on, I have to get one thing clear. Let’s define “Healthy Eating.” Healthy eating is flexible & feels good. It does not mean everything you eat has to be packed with vitamins & minerals or that you have to eliminate favorite foods. It’s empowered eating, without shame or guilt. It nourishes both your cells + your spirit. It is a loving thing you do for yourself, not punishment.

Now, read on to uncover which of these 4 reasons is holding you back & try the fix…

The 4 REASONS YOU AREN’T IN A HEALTHY EATING GROOVE + THE FIX
1. You Don’t Know What To Make
✨ THE FIX: CREATE A TOP 10 LIST.
Reflect back on some favorite nourishing meals you’ve made over the years, look for meal inspo on Instagram, flip through cookbooks, or ask your friends/family for ideas.

Then create a list of your favorite & easiest 10 ideas on your phone to look at any time you are at a loss for what to make. Don’t pick more than 10 since too many options = overwhelm = inaction.

Bonus: If you are a visual person like me, take pics of these 10 meals & create a “Meal Inspo” album on your phone instead of a written list.

2. Your Meals Aren’t Satisfying
✨ THE FIX: MAKE THEM CRAVEABLE.
If your go-to nourishing meals are boring or just feel “too healthy” you will not be motivated to eat them.

The easiest way to make meals more craveable is to slow down & ask yourself: “What do I WANT to eat” (not what you think you should eat) and then create a balanced, nourishing version of what you want.

Tacos, pizza, burgers, nachos, sandwiches, fried rice, pasta all can be made into balanced versions that nourish both your cells + your spirit. 💪✨

3. You Don’t Have Time To or Feel Like Cooking
✨ THE FIX: ENJOY LAZY MEALS.
This one hits home with me, which is why I’ve become an expert at creating LAZY meals. These are meals that don’t take much time, don’t require much thinking, and have very few ingredients. They use plenty of “healthy shortcuts” from the grocery store like already cooked proteins & pre-washed/cut veggies.

My Instagram page has lots of quick meal ideas + HERE is a resource with some of my favorite LAZY meals (I cut & pasted these ideas from my Instagram.)

4. Your Emotions Run The Show
✨ THE FIX: NAME + FEEL + TREAT THEM.
So you had a rough day or you’re feeling bored, lonely, stressed. Humans have emotions and they are a beautiful thing. Emotions are information, they are signals that you need something.

So, instead of using food to numb & silence emotions, dig into to them. This three step process is very helpful:
1. NAME what you are feeling, out loud. To name it is to tame it.
2. FEEL the feeling and ask what it needs.
3. TREAT the feeling with something that will actually help it. Such as a hug, a hobby, a girls’ night out, some deep breaths, a text with a friend, better boundaries, etc.