9 Tips for Staying on Track

It’s happened to all of us.

You’re cruising along with your healthy habits. You’re eating right, exercising, sleeping enough, etc… But then you find yourself in one of those tricky spots where you might have to make unhealthy choices in the moment.

Well, with a little planning, we can avoid those situations so we’re making the right move more often. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Make shopping, cooking and eating plans. Take a list to the grocery store. Prepare a few days’ meals in advance. Choose the times you’ll eat out.
2. When in a restaurant, think about what you’re ordering to ensure you’re getting the right ortions of protein, fats and carbohydrates – and that you’re not being tempted by, say, the bread basket or calorie-heavy daily special.
3. Avoid shopping when you’re hungry. You end up making impulsive purchases based on your temporary state. Then, a few days later, you notice all these items at home that make you think, “Why in the world did I buy all of this?”
4. Pack healthy snacks with you all the time. Keep a bag of peanuts, an apple, cheese sticks or any other healthy treat in your bag and desk. That will help when you’re stuck in traffic or running late.
5. Drink plenty of water. It keeps you feeling full.
6. Chew a piece of sugarless gum. Sometimes the flavor is enough to calm our desire to eat something.
7. Keep a regular sleep pattern. It’ll manage your hunger, stress and mood throughout the day.
8. Schedule workouts for the week, if you’re having trouble “finding the time” day to day. Treat them like you would any other serious appointment in your schedule.
9. Keep a few basic workout items at home – like a mat and light weights -- for the days you can’t make it to the gym. Even a little something is better than nothing.
10. Avoid buying too much alcohol for the home; that makes it a lot easier to avoid drinking too much sometimes.

Healthy choices aren’t always easy. But it helps to prepare and have options.