Though behind in my goals for 2014, I am not going to be discouraged…part of having a healthy lifestyle is not dwelling on the bumps in the road.

The problem I have identified and plan to address this month is my diet, which consists of too many processed convenience foods and not enough planning and preparation at home.

My goal in addressing this problem for the month of July is to clean up my diet.

Over the coming months I intend to put a clean/whole food eating plan into action with the 80/20 rule. That is, 80% of the time, I will eat non-processed, whole foods that are fuel to my body, allowing wiggle room the other 20%. This will be a process, it will take patience, planning, and dedication.

Small changes being implemented this month include:

1. Food prep Sunday’s – Plan and prep breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the work week to decrease need for quick convenience foods and to ensure that meals and snacks are well balanced.

2. Protein, Fat, and Vegetable/Fruit 3 every 3 rule – Balance out each meal with a protein, fat, and vegetable and/or fruit to ensure that the body is being nourished evenly throughout the day.

3. Eat every 3-4 hrs – Incorporate 2 healthy snacks in between each of the 3 meals, being careful to not eat any later than 3hrs before you intend to go to sleep.

4. Eating out – Eating out limited to no more than 1-2x/wk…again…food should be planned out to limit the likelihood of falling back into old habits.

5. Sleep – Get no less than 7hrs a night so that your body doesn’t confuse being tired for being hungry. If you are sleeping and eating healthy, nutritious foods…your body will have energy…period.

Check back next weekend for an evaluation of how this plan worked for me!

– Nurse Kavita