But only 9 percent of people stick to their resolutions and maintain a healthy diet, according to a 2016 survey by Aldi. If you’re one of the thousands of individuals who have already fallen off the wagon, stop beating yourself up, and focus on these three things.
1. Get More Sleep
Wait, what? If you’re not getting enough sleep, either in terms of quality or quantity, you’ll struggle to stay on track with fitness or nutrition. A study published in November 2016 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who slept less than 5 ½ hours per night ate 1600 more kilojoules the next day. To add insult to injury, the sleep-deprived individuals chose different foods, too. They skimped on protein and instead consumed foods higher in empty kilojoules.
READ MORE: How To Sleep Fast: The Tips, Tricks And Gadgets You Need For Better ZZZs
2. Stop Thinking About the Outcome—Concentrate on the Behaviour
Set a goal, but then work backwards and figure out the behaviours needed to reach that goal. For example, if you have a weight goal in mind, realistically determine how long it should take (assuming up to 1 kilogram of weight loss per week). Then work on the small, incremental behaviours that will help you achieve the goal: cutting out fizzy drinks, eating protein at each meal, filling half your plate with veggies, etc. These are the behaviours necessary for change; when consistently put into practice, the outcome will happen. Exercise will help, too.
READ MORE: A Quick and Easy Recipe to Make Protein Pancakes
3. Don’t Beat Yourself Up Over Food
Eating should be enjoyable. Food offers more than nutrition. It fuels our bodies and minds, sparks conversation, and connects people. And at the end of the day, no single meal (or food) will make or break your success. If you went out with friends, had a drink, and consumed a few too many chips, put that behind you. It has already happened, and you need to focus on what you can do to move forward. Focus on where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
READ MORE: Everything You Need To Know About The Keto Diet Plan
So, yes, three of the best things you can do for your diet don’t involve food at all. Eating healthfully has as much to do with your brain as it does with your stomach. When you set a healthy mindset, the rest will fall into place.
