With the new year in full force, I am sure that I am not alone in setting goals for the new year! One of my goals for the month of January was to go gluten, dairy, and sugar free for this month. Day 3 – I already failed! We had one last family Christmas and pizza was the main course! It was gluten free, but still contained cheese…. and I LOVE cheese!! Anyway…. back to goals! I jumped right back on the health train even though I failed one day! You see, that’s life! Just because you fail one day, doesn’t mean you should give up entirely.

I have had several questions on my daily routine of how I stay so fit. I would like to tell you that I go to the gym early every morning before school, but that would not be the truth! The truth is, I have been a bad exerciser for the past several months! (Something to do with teaching and blogging…… 😉 )That’s not to say that I am not active. I am constantly moving – chasing after my own children, moving from one thing to another in the classroom, and walking our sweet dog!

For me, my smart choices come more from what I am putting into my body. Here are a few things I do to help maintain my healthy weight.

1. Limit your gluten, dairy, and sugar.

I won’t say I cut these three things out of my diet completely, because I love cheese and ice cream! But I do really try to limit the amount that I consume. The bottom line is this – I feel better when I don’t consume too many of these three things.

2. Eat smaller portions. 

One way to easily decrease the amount of calories you consume each day is to eat smaller portions. For me, switching to a smaller container in my lunch at school was a really easy way to decrease my portions. Instead of putting my leftovers in a larger container, I filled up a smaller container! Another thing Briton and I do when we go out to eat is split a meal. I give him a larger portion, and I eat the smaller portion. If he is too hungry to split, I ask for a to-go container right when my meal comes out. I put half of my meal in the container to go home for another meal.

3. Drink water.

This one sounds simple, but it’s true! Drink water – cut out all soda and sugary drinks. This will decrease your calorie intake. Plus,you will just feel better too!

4. Stop eating after dinner.

I will be honest, I love eating snacks! I love the crunch of a salty snack! I love the full stomach right before bed! But….. it’s not worth it!! So many calories are consumed after dinner. Save yourself those calories. When you get the temptation to eat after dinner, drink some water or hot tea! Your stomach will be filled, and you won’t feel guilty!

5. Don’t buy your “weakness food”.

You guys, I love potato chips!!! LOVE THEM! I could consume an entire bag BY MYSELF if I allowed myself to do so! So…… I don’t buy them! I know they are a weakness of mine, and in a moment of weakness, I would eat the whole bag! Whatever your weakness food is, DON’T BUY IT! If it’s not in the house, you can’t eat it!

6. Be strong.

Any time I want to eat something I shouldn’t, I tell myself, “You won’t miss this in half an hour!” and “You will not feel well, and you will regret it later if you eat this now!” Do you know how many cupcakes and cookies are put on my desk each week?? SOOOOOO many! At our school, the kids who have a birthday can deliver their extra birthday treats to other staff members! You guys, I have to throw the treat in the trash right after they leave my room! Odd are pretty good that I won’t fish it out of the trash! Well… unless it was a really bad day!

7. Commit.

If you are really struggling with your weight, commit to a lifestyle change. The weight wasn’t put on in a month, it will take more than a month for it to come off. Don’t do small fixes to take off weight if it isn’t something that can last. Keeping the weight off is a lifestyle commitment! It is daily healthy choices that help you stay where you want to be.

8. Cut yourself some slack.

We all make some diet or exercise choices that are not great! Don’t beat yourself up! Just because you fall off the wagon one day doesn’t mean you should stay off the wagon forever! Don’t compare yourself to someone else. That girl you think has the “perfect body” struggles with something as well. That perfect girl has something on her body that she finds imperfect even if you don’t notice it.

9. Cheat!

Allow yourself to cheat every once in a while! As mentioned before, I LOVE ICE CREAM! So every once in a while, I have some! That doesn’t mean I eat it every day – although, I totally want to! Just remember – everything in moderation! If it’s the holidays, indulge a little!

10. Celebrate the little victories, and surround yourself with cheerleaders!

Be proud of yourself for sticking to your lifestyle (I don’t want to say “diet”!) – even if you only did it for one day! Take one day at a time and continue to improve as you go! Surround yourself with those who will support what you are doing and help you along the way. Find someone who will hold you accountable and cheer you on along the way!

I hope these things help you as you make choices to get healthy in 2018!

Candace