Motivation to Eat Well

[ajturner11]

Hi All! 

I am looking for some motivation tactics to keep myself eating well throughout the week. I meal prep on Sundays and have all my workweek lunches/snacks ready for the week, eat healthy dinners on Monday and Tuesday but then Wednesday comes around and everything goes to waste. Then its Thursday Night Football, then its the weekend so I feel like I completely jump off a cliff into a pool of beer and fast food. 

Does anyone have any good motivation tips?? I am sure this is very common and could be helpful to many people.

One thing I have tried is looking at each day as three accomplishments rather than looking at the week as a whole. So if I am 3 for 3 on healthy meals for the day, I get a star and so many stars until I get a reward like getting my nails done or new sneakers. And that works for a few days but then once again, its the weekend and I like to go out and have fun. 

Thanks friends.

Amanda

[Taurus21]

I think it's alright to let loose a little on the weekend. We don't want to be so strict on ourselves that it drives us to break consistency. 

I really focus on having plenty of water every day. Try replacing one of the glasses of beer with a glass of water as an accomplishment (star). I keep snacks such as Larabars, KIND bars, green beans and carrots (like a veggie tray) around because if I do get snacking it is on nutrient dense foods. 

You could have a veggie tray and fruit salad instead of an unhealthy snack on Thursday night football. Chips and salsa is a great snack as well (grains and veggies). A couple things I try to keep in mind is to ask myself (am I truly hungry that I need to eat something? If not, I realize I am probably going to not feel very well physically or emotionally if I do eat something). I hope these are helpful suggestions. 

[Ukase]

I find myself concerned. Rewarding yourself for good behavior is a fine incentive system. However, your rewards are likely to drive you to the poor house if you give them so freely. I mean, shoes can get pretty pricy! Even the cheap ones around here would cost me $45 a pair. 

So, going out and having fun: we all get that. Who doesn't like fun? But why is your fun centered around fast food? Beer, I understand. Fast food? Chicken wings? Hot Dogs? Or are you talking about McDonald's or Wendy's? I'm going to assume you're talking about "bar food" - which is generally pizzas, wings, that kind of thing. When it comes to bar food, there is almost nothing remotely healthy about this stuff. The reason why it's mostly young adults there is because us older folks can't get away with that behavior - for both dietary and sometimes financial reasons. Mortgages need to be paid. Eating out can be cost prohibitive. 

My suggestion is this: You like getting your nails done? And you like fun? Consider a vacation to a place like Hawaii or a cruise. Obviously, this is expensive. So, instead of buying yourself beer - drink water with a fancy lime and a frilly toothpick. Tip the bartender a couple of bucks, and nobody needs to know you're not drinking. And the money you save can go into your vacation fund. 

Every meal you take to work instead of going out to lunch - you take that money that you would have spent and put it in your vacation fund. 

Or - if you have too much debt/student loans/credit cards - - have a get out of debt fund. Every single friend you have will agree that these sacrifices are wise. And if you got the vacation route, you'll get your fun quota satisfied. If you go the debt reduction route, you've just created a great many more choices for yourself as you grow older. Getting out of debt is even better than earning a raise. Because once your debts are gone, you can save even more. 

It's all about what triggers your motivation. Pain avoidance or pleasure seeking. Me, I'd go the debt reduction route - but if you don't have debt, a trip to Costa Rica or Cabot could be a very fun time. 

[emili]

my motivation is how I feel when I eat well and how I feel when I fill up on things I should avoid. I don't like feeling heavy and full and bloated. I like feeling energized and not hungry. I too go out on weekends. Literally every Friday and Saturday. And I really like to drink. But my bar snacks are pretzels or nuts or popcorn. I will not eat wings or fried cheese or any of that stuff because to digest it, I will feel sick and its not worth it to me. I also end up drinking less because I catch a buzz faster...

Added bonus, I don't gain weight...

[AndyDandyPandy]

Cook your own food. Limit on eating out. Exercise. Meditate. 

[Frankie11]

On Sunday (When you are motivated to stay healthy) put away the sugary sweets and put them somewhere where you don't look to hide things. Then you can stay healthy all through the week without sugar and won't reach for it.

Hope this helps!