The Little Changes I [Should Be] Making
Changing your life is a scary thing. And it’s hard. It takes a lot of work, replacing bad habits with good ones, pushing yourself every single day, avoiding temptation, and figuring out what your body needs.
So let’s just talk about little changes. The small things you know you should be doing, but aren’t.
1. Drink more water.
I feel stupid even writing this down. It’s basic. It’s cheap free. And it’s so good for you! But you already know that.So let’s talk about how to actually do it.
Less of that… more water.
How: sometimes drinking lukewarm (rather than really cold) water, is easier. This definitely works for me! I also spice it up with lemon or cucumber. Just a hint of flavor really can help. And honestly, just having a giant cup at my desk is probably the easiest way to drink more water without thinking. I’ve swapped my lunch time diet coke for water, and I’m feeling much more energized in the afternoon! Once you get in the habit, it gets easier to do it without thinking.
2. Cut down on night time snacking.
I know I’m not the only one who loves a nighttime snack, but mine can get a little out of control. Not that there is anything wrong with having a snack, but I realized it makes more sense for me to snack in the afternoon, when I need the energy, rather than “saving” those snacks for night time.
Ok ignore this specific type of tea… although I do like this one.
How: I tried to just cut out night time snacking, and it lasted for… maybe 2 days. Instead, I’ve started drinking a cup of decaf tea, and something indulgent, like a piece of dark chocolate. Having a bit of something really delicious is so much more satisfying than a giant bowl of rice cakes. The tea keeps me occupied while blogging and answering e-mails, without feeling like I’ve banned myself from the kitchen.
3. Stop eating the whole box of [cereal/cookies/crackers].
Let’s suppose I’m not the only person who has seen a box of cereal disappear after 2 days, and wondered “Wait… when did I eat all that?” It got to the point where I wouldn’t even buy Peanut Butter Puffins, because I literally wouldn’t know how the box could be gone so fast…
These crackers didn’t stand a chance…
How: Instead of banning yourself from the things you love (and buying things you only sort of like, just to restrain yourself) as soon as you get home from the grocery store, divide the box into individual servings. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but not only does it prevent the mindless “hand-in-the-box-everything-I-pass-it” syndrome, it also makes it’s super easy to grab a baggie when you’re running out the door, and you really do need a fast snack! Just be sure that you’re really portioning out accurate servings! (I use a food scale, which sounds kind of anal, but you’d be surprised at some of those cereal serving sizes!)
Now if only I could pretend like I’d totally conquered these…
Whoa, you struck a chord with me on the Peanut Butter Puffins. The other Barbara’s Bakery cereals last me a solid 10–14 days, but my peanut butter puffins are GONE in like three days. I, too, have a self-imposed embargo on them! It doesn’t help that they’re next to all my other favorites in the cereal aisle. I have to actively avoid eye contact. Anyway, these are all excellent reminders, and just what I needed to read tonight. Love your blog.
these are great tips. especially the pre-portioning one. i imagine this is really hard to do up front – but you are really glad to have done it when it is snack time!
Im just convinced that they need to change the serving size of the PB Puffins to half the box…seriously can’t stop at just one serving :
I need to cut down on sugar & highly processed energy bars
Ok seriously, the serving size for pb puffins are ridiculous! It’s like… Half a handful!
Boxed snacks like Pop Chips or cereal only make it into my shopping cart occassionally – I have ZERO control. Haha. I’m trying to stop my night-time snacking altogether unless I’m truly hungry. I’ve gotten used to wanting to eat before bed just because it’s comforting. I’ve been drinking herbal tea instead. 🙂
I hear you!! At least pop chips makes single servings bags. Sometimes I get those (and even the big ones are only 3 servings… so it’s not THAT bad hahaha)
Love this post. Focusing on small changes is absolutely the way to go.
A slice of lemon in water definitely makes it more… I want to say satisfying but that seems like the wrong word to describe a glass of water… but you kow what I mean lol… those are all great tips. I also have to portion stuff out to make sure I don’t mindlessly eat the whole thing. My boyfriend always laughs at me because while he can take a big bag of chips or candy and stop eating when he’s had enough, I always insist on setting aside my own portion-controlled serving.
Hahaha we can call it satisfying… as satisfying as water gets I guess 😉
I actually prefer water to be lukewarm or room temp. I chug that down! I honestly never thought I’d be able to give up my addiction to carbonation, but between water, coffee, kombucha, and tea I pretty much never crave it any more. [Not that I don’t indulge now and then…]
I am a HUGE nighttime eater. I definitely go all day hardly eating a lot and then at night it is like 80% of my caloric intake. I know we aren’t “supposed” to eat at night, but I feel like it’s all balancing out, so I don’t know if I should force myself to change or not!
Great post! Could not agree more about the water and the evening snacking. 2 things that add up to major feel good changes!! I always say it only takes 3 days to turn changes into 3 weeks (when habits are changed for good)! 🙂 Awesome post!
Small changes add up!!! Just remember this and work on one thing at a time. 🙂