Despite the strange weather, if your summer was anything like mine, it was filled with parties, picnics, potlucks, and an array of tempting food options. Some of the best things about summer, like enjoying the sunny weather, outdoor activities, friends and family, and barbecues, can be a slippery slope if you’re eating a clean and healthy real food diet.
Why?
- The idea that “just this once” will actually only happen once.
- The belief that a party isn’t a party without alcohol.
- Guilt about not having a hearty serving of Aunt Sally’s sweet potato casserole or birthday cake or whatever.
- Temporarily losing sight of your health and fitness goals.
The kids are headed back to school and the cooler weather is closing in. NOW is a great time to reevaluate your diet.
Take a few minutes and ask yourself these questions:
- As far as healthful eating goes, what am I doing really well?
- What could I be doing better?
- Are there certain foods (or categories of foods like “sugary processed foods” or “ice cream”) that I’ve allowed to slip back into my diet?
- How does eating these foods make me feel physically and emotionally?
- What is ONE thing I can do get my diet back on track or upgraded from where it is now?
If you have trouble answering any of these questions. I highly recommend two things:
1. Keep a record of everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) you eat for 24 hours. Do not judge yourself. Simply look at this record as “data about how you’re currently eating” and evaluate it objectively. When you’re done, ask the above questions again.
2. Sometimes having someone on the outside looking in can really help provide some perspective and offer some individualized feedback to get you headed in the right direction. As an Integrative RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) I can do just that. Sign up for a Breakthrough Session here!
