I am on my quest to get healthy, and I want to help others do the same. I decided to do spread the word by providing some healthy tips for everyone.
First tip is to start small. You know you need to give up a lot of unhealthy food, but if you do it all at once then you will probably get stressed. If you get stress because you cannot have something you used to enjoy then you may fail. So my advice is to start slow.
Okay, now how do you know what to do? First of all, let me list things you know you should stay away from.
- Soda (this includes diet, too)
- White Bread
- White Rice
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Chips
- Cookies
- Candy Bars
Well we know there are more, but we will stop here. Out of this list what do love the most? Well, it is probably high fructose corn syrup and don’t even know it…because it is in everything.
Anyway, the one thing I love the most was my diet soda. Here is how I started small. Remember even the smallest changes helps a lot. I ate chips, cookies candy bars, white bread and white rice. I said one day I will give up just the white rice. I will try the brown rice instead. I didn’t eat it that much so I thought that was a good starting point.
I tried the brown rice, and I realized I had to cook a lot longer than what the directions called for. I used to let it bowl for awhile. I don’t like crunchy rice. When I perfected it to come out the way I liked it, it was a easy transition.
That was the only thing I changed for a 3 weeks. I wanted to make sure I could stick with this lifestyle change. Next, I gave up white bread. Giving up white bread was a bit more difficult. I didn’t like 100% Whole Grain or 100% Whole Wheat at this time. I finally started liking the 100% Whole Wheat, which at that time I thought was good for me, but that is another blog. (So eat 100% Whole Grain.) I don’t eat much bread now. It was hard going into restaurants when they would bring those rolls out with honey butter. Man, I used to tear them up. Not anymore.
I gave up all snack food. I would allow myself one cheat day a week for awhile. I didn’t understand why I crave sweets. I was eating pretty healthy, but my body wanted a Little Debbie Cake or some Reese Cup. I would fight the urge except for one day a week.
I realized after I finally decided to give up my Diet Mountain Dew that was the reason I was craving sugar. The ingredients in diet sodas don’t only make you crave sweets, but it can also lead to demineralization of your teeth and bones.
I hope you understand that the smallest changes make a big difference in your health. I can go into more detail why you should not eat the things listed above, but for now I wanted to give you a boost to start your healthy lifestyle one step at a time.
To Your Ultimate Health,
Jaden Daniels
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Jaden,
Congrats on the new and improved healthy you! Good post, I look forward to working with you in the tribe.
Jeff
My friend, Gail, told me about your blog. I love the look at feel of it and I enjoyed your post. I, too, have so many food issues. I never drink diet but I have a hard time giving up my regular pop. Thanks for sharing. I will follow your blog. My blog is just in “new construction” mode so please follow me – suggestions welcome! Linda
Hi Jaden!
This is fabulous! i think that it is one of the best ways to implement change. The changes can be so small that you don’t even realize that it is a change! For example, I started by continuing to put mayo on my sandwich, but only putting it on one side of the sandwich. Eventually, I stopped altogether. If I go out to dinner, I have to decide between having a glass of wine or having dessert or bread, but I can’t have it all…..next time, I can have the other one.
For many years, I couldn’t even make those choices, but now, I am really doing much better with that! I appreciate you bringing us REAL, COMMON SENSE advice!
Mentor Mama
Wow, Jaden, I can tell you that candy and sugar messes with the memory BIG time because I remember distinctly commenting about exercise on your page and I cannot find my comment! DUH! I am a wee bit concerned to say the least!
And an FYI: I have discovered an ice cream brand that should be listed as a narcotic, seriously. I love ice cream, but this one I literally could not stop eating! So it is totally banded from our home and of course, the first ingredient is the high Fructose corn syrup – nasty and addictive!
Thanks for sharing your challenge – I have a whole set of sweet teeth and pulling them all just isn’t an appealing option so I’ll try your way instead
With a big smile,
Gail
Aloha Jaden,
Congratulations on your success with your eating healthy habits! I give you a lot of credit. I have had so much challenges with food addiction my whole life and I was blessed to have found nutritional supplementation which allowed my body to do what it’s suppose to do and still allow me to eat anything I want.
Good luck with your continued healthy eating. Please keep us informed.
Much aloha,
Kellie
http://kelliehosaka.com/robert-kiyosaki-8-financial-myths-about-money/
Hi Jaden,
This is great info and I’m very happy for you and your decision to eat healthier. Thanks for sharing the info on the diet soda, so many people think they’re OK! I’m looking forward to your progress.
Blessings,
Karla Setchel
http://www.KarlaSetchel.com
Jay, you are such an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing what you learn. I know if I can just give up the Monsters, I will be on the right track!
I will love following this, Jaden. I know we were laughing about Diet Coke on Tribe Tuesday, but in the last three weeks I’ve given up anything made with white flour or hydrogenated oils and 99% of sugar (still have a square of dark chocolate every day). I’m eating meat, poultry, and chicken; vegetables; cream, butter, and olive oil; and that’s about it. Got the idea from a book my daughter bought called “The Idiot-Proof Diet for Real Women.” I’m amazed that me – a grazer – am so un-hungry that I have to remember to eat lunch! I’m down about 8 pounds and feeling like I can stick with it. Later I’ll be able to add fruit, whole grain products, and an occasional treat back in, but I don’t crave sweets like I used to. Best of luck and I’ll keep up with your progress!
Wishing you a song in your heart,
Leslie
Hi Jaden you’re right it would be easier to give up a little at a time instead of everything at once. Thank you for putting all this information out there. I enjoy to reading your blogs. Have a blessed day!
Bravo! Great way to start a healthy addiction is to do just this and add those whole earth foods to your “like” list. Oh those Reese’s can be a tough one though, lol!
Sound advice Jaden
Hey Jaden,
You’ve put healthy eating up front and center… but how did you find the discipline when you have it right in front of you all day long?
For me… sugar is my love/hate. It’s really my nemesis, ‘cuz I find it so tasty. Having said that, I am making some progress… but it doesn’t come easy.
Thanks for the tips… I look forward to more.
Thanks Kaye,
I love the Tribe Tuesdays, too. It is a journey to get healthy, after being unhealthy for so long.
Jaden
Hey Jaden – would love to know how you go with this. I am going through the same thing, taking small steps. The big one for me to give up is sugar… OMG I have the worst cravings, but I also know its a catch 22, the more you eat it the more you crave it. Its that initial step to take action to give it up initially that is the hardest for me
great advise here
cheers
Nat
Hi Jaden thanks for sharing this great post.. Really great info and thanks for sharing about your journey , its inspiring! Thanks too for what you bring to our tribe Tuesdays .
in appreciation
Kaye