Developing a Vision and a Plan

from Stephanie Harren, CFNS

 How many times have you picked up a new diet book in hopes that it would solve your body woes? And how many times has that actually worked?

Think of plan like a road map. In Fathered by God, John Eldredge states:

“The pleasure of a map is that it gives you the lay of the land and yet you still have to make choices about how you will cover the terrain before you.  A map is a guide, not a formula.  It offers freedom.  It does not tell you how fast to walk, though when you see the contour lines growing very close together, you know your approaching steep terrain and will want to mend your stride.  It does not tell you wy the mountain is there, or how old the forest is.  It tell you how to get to where you are going.”

The truth is, you can start turning your health around now and reap the benefits of a nourished metabolism. But you do have to make a choice. You have to choose to give up on fad diets and magic pills. You have to choose to start living well and nourishing yourself today, one step at a time.

Starting a New Lifestyle

5 tips to Get You Started

1. It’s time for a new mind set– limit dietary restrictions as much as possible. If there are some habits you can improve or better choices you can make, then that’s something you can work toward. But you do not need to ban foods, limit your food choices, or set a ton of rigid boundaries about what you can and cannot eat.  As you become more and more nutritionally aware you can make further changes to your lifestyle.
2. Think in terms of replacing food that don’t nourish your body for those that do-the right foods supply your body with the things it needs to do its best.
3. Listen to your body

• Eat what you love
• Pay attention to how your body responds
• Make adjustments accordingly

4. Eat enough food to fuel your metabolism and your daily activities– eat a variety of foods that balance you need for energy and nutrient

5. Balance your macronutrients-Fats, proteins, and carbohydrate ratio is different for everyone.  There isn’t a magic number.  Figure out what right for you.  Listen to your body to help you find that “sweet spot.”

         Stephanie Harren is a Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist. You can reach her at 409-749-0184 or email her at              stephanie2129@gmail.com