Make Room For Change

This is the time of the year where people are making changes.  Some are doing it for the Lenten Season to grow their relationship with God, and others are making changes to make room for a better year and a better life.  We learn from our mistakes and we grow from our challenges.  You set your goals at the beginning of the year, and now you have either found the challenges and gave up or you are fighting through.  The Lenten Season everyone gives up a possession or luxury or adds something in their life to enrich their relationship with God.  I have gone through many challenges in my life such as marathons, Yoga teacher training, deaths, failures; too many to count, but my story comes in how you fight through until the end.  I started a Paleo Challenge last week that last 45 days, and this is the first time that I am following this challenge without any substitutes.  I have been following the Paleo diet for a while, but I have not seen any real change so I must face my challenges.  My challenge like lots of people with changing your diet is taking away things that you do not need and holding onto them as a crutch.  I have learned that I do not need as much food as I put into my body even if it is healthy.  I have cut down on my snacks and portion sizes.  I have also decided to cut out fruit and nuts since it carries extra fat and sugar.  Yes both of these are good for you, but in moderation and I personally have a challenge with eating too much.  I have also limited my caffeine to one cup a day.  The theory behind all of this is I want to see the change so I have to overcome my challenges.  This is very hard and you also run into critics along the way who do not understand why you have chosen this particular lifestyle or why you are not drinking like all of the others.  You have made a choice to be healthy; do not let others take this away for you it is your gift to yourself.  It does help that this is the time of year where others are making changes and may be more accepted than the Holiday Season a time to indulge.  We will run into our challenges, but stay strong and make room for change.  Here are some helpful tips if you are looking to make a change for improved health, and are having problems overcoming your challenges.

1.  Be Prepared- Prepare your lunches and snacks the night before
2.  Portions- for weight loss one plate of food or until you are full
3.  Snacks-protein and veggies
4.  Meals-Veggie with every meal
5.  Limit fruits and nuts-1-2 servings for weight loss
6.  Travel with Snacks
7.  Eating out-Keep it simple a protein and veggies
8.  Drink as much water as possible- carry a liter of water with you and refill
9.  Ignore the critics
10. Celebrate your success-let others know your goals
11. Have an accountability partner
12. Get your family involved
13.  Be patient-you are making a permanent change it takes time
14   Believe in yourself