Chances are you made a resolution that included the phrase “lose weight”

Just a few short weeks ago, there is a pretty good chance that you made a resolution that included the phrase “lose weight” or something similar. Easier said than done, right?

If you have already said a few choice words and thrown the scales outside, don’t give up yet! Many people constantly toggle between snacking on celery and devouring a whole pizza. Nobody said that losing weight would be easy, but you shouldn’t deprive yourself of everything delicious. Keep reading for some tips that can help you get off to a fresh start… a healthy start!

Pay attention to the ingredients you are using. You bustle around the kitchen making the same family favorites that you have made for years… but have you ever stopped to look at the ingredients? A typical cookie recipe has TWO sticks of butter, delicious but very high in calories! Simple substitutions can make these dishes a little healthier!

Find alternatives. Try to find healthier versions of what you like! If you typically enjoy a salty, crunchy snack mid-afternoon, replace those potato chips with kale chips. Like a little something sweet after dinner? No problem! Enjoy a nice strawberry square. The possibilities are endless! Use Google to search for healthy alternatives to your favorite foods.

Stop piling it on! Most people tend to be creatures of habit… delicious, unhealthy habit. We love a loaded baked potato, extra butter on our popcorn and bacon on our burgers. While tasty, all the extras send our somewhat healthy dish into a dangerous diet breaker. Instead of piling it as high as it can go, be frugal. A smaller amount of cheese or only one squirt of movie theater butter won’t harm you nearly as much as piling it on will!

Seasonings are your new BFF. If you are going to adhere to a diet plan and not have any food enhancers (cheese, butter, etc), season it up! Most seasonings are zero calories and add a ton of flavor. Be careful of the sodium content!

Diets aren’t bad. They are by no means fun, but with the proper adjustments to fit YOU, they can lead you to a new and exciting chapter of your life… a healthy one!