Get Back on Track
Are you trying to eat healthfully? Changing old eating habits can be a difficult process.

A nutritious eating plan will help you reach your weight goals, but it's only natural that you'll slip-up now and then. Just make sure that if you slip, you get back on track. Here's how:

* Ask yourself why you got off track. Was it at a party? Were you feeling stress at home or work? Find out what caused you to get off track and start again with your healthy eating plan.

* Don't worry about a slip. Everyone slips — especially when learning something new. Remember that changing your lifestyle is a long-term process.

* See if you tried to do too much at once. Often, people starting a new lifestyle try to change too much at once. Instead, change one or two things at a time. Slowly but surely is the best way to succeed.

* Break the process down into small steps. This not only keeps you from trying to do too much at once, but also keeps the changes simpler. Break complex goals into smaller, simpler steps, each of which is attainable.

* Write it down. Use a food diary to keep track of what you eat. This can help you find the problem. Besides noting what you eat, also record: where you are, what you're doing, and how you feel. Keep track for several days. You may find, for instance, that you eat high-fat foods while watching television. If so, you could start keeping a substitute snack on hand to eat instead. This record also helps you be sure you're getting enough of each food group.

* Celebrate success. Treat yourself to a nonfood treat for your accomplishments.

Slip-ups are bound to happen, but hopefully these suggestions will help you stay focused on your healthy eating plan.

Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI does not recommend or endorse any company advertised on this site.

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