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New year, new beginning. With the turn of the clock, the new year offers an opportunity for a fresh start. It’s a time to hit pause and reflect on the past 12 months as well as your future intentions. Many people make eating well, losing weight, or improving their physical health. While more than 50% of people make living a healthier lifestyle one of their goals, the top failed New Year’s resolution is diet and eating healthy (54% failed). So why is that?
One of the main reasons why people drop the ball on their resolutions is they don’t set realistic, measurable goals. Another is that halfway into their new routine, people lose motivation or become bored with the program. Follow Chef Lynn Michelle’s advice to set and attain your wellness goals:
- One change at a time. It’s important to remember that we tend to start too hard and fast when trying to meet a New Year’s resolution. If your philosophy is “all or nothing,” you might quit if you don’t see immediate results. Examine your eating habits and identify a specific place to start making a change. Maybe you drink too much soda and want to cut back. Maybe you have long-term aspirations like cooking at home more, or going gluten-free. Pick a SMART goal (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based), then move onto the next one when you’re ready.
- Plan ahead. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen every night or constantly getting your dinner to-go. With a little thought and preparation, incorporating better options into your diet can be a breeze. Imagine having Beef filet kabobs and pine nut rice pilaf waiting for you when you get home or packing shrimp bisque and superfood salad for lunch. Chef Lynn Michelle is a master at meal prepping and can make large dishes for you to enjoy all week.
- Do your research. From the keto to vegan, there are more diets to try now than ever. But before you commit to one way of eating, make sure it’s the right diet for your body and lifestyle or you will run the risk of quitting early on. When you’re ready to get started, Chef Lynn Michelle can help you find and make the perfect recipes for your nutritional needs.
- Mix it up. If you stick to the same five low-cal recipes each week, then you’re bound to get burnt out. Eating your greens doesn’t have to be boring. Swap your daily salad for some of Chef Lynn’s favorite vegetable dishes, like honey-glazed carrots, southern slaw, or roasted brussels sprouts. Trade the frozen foods for a fresh filet, and go for grilled peaches when your sweet tooth is calling.
- Get some help. Three meals a day for one person per week is 21 meals! Meal planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning can be overwhelming, especially for those who have decided to start eating out less and make more meals at home. It’s no surprise that a lot of us choose to spend money on processed convenience foods because that saves us time. Ask Chef Lynn Michelle how you can reclaim hours each day and experience the benefits of healthy eating.