Try Something New

With the cold, dark days, we are naturally looking for more comfort.  Warmer clothes, "comfort" foods and hot beverages fit the bill.  Since 80% of weight loss is actually created through food choices, it is incredibly important to consider which foods are on the menu and should be highlighted and which foods should be in the margins, so to speak.

Choosing high protein foods is a smart way to go when it comes to satisfying hunger and limiting calories and Smartpoints.  We all know about animal proteins, the ones we probably grew up on.  Meat! However, there are also vegetarian/vegan proteins we can consider too.  This other protein source is often cheaper than animal protein, shelf stable and easy to incorporate in hearty cold weather meals.

Let's consider beans and lentils for instance.  We can add beans to soup, salad, chili and stew.  We can even create a side dish out of these tasty legumes.  Beans contain vitamins, minerals and more protein than animal proteins per serving.  That's a deal in the weight loss world.

Of course these interesting facts and tips are not enough to convert anyone who doesn't want to give them a try.  In fact, we need to be risk takers as Weight Watchers members and try something new.  With food, with exercise, with attitude--we all benefit from making a change, which creates a "thrill" for the body and mind.  By giving something new a try, we broaden our horizons and open ourselves up to more possibilities.  We don't know that we don't like black bean soup if we haven't ever tried it.  We don't know that vegetarian proteins won't satisfy unless we prepare them with some care and give it a go.

This brings us to what really matters, i.e. what is in your heart.  What you really want from your life is what matters.  What motivates you to get up and out of the house on a cold morning is what matters.  What makes you want to go home and see your family at the end of the day is what matters.   What makes you plan ahead and say NO to failure and YES to the future is what matters.

This week, consider trying something new--a new recipe or a new preparation of something you already enjoy (baked peaches, anyone?).  This will get you out of a food rut, surprise your body and tempt your taste buds with something different and create the spark that comes from making a change. 

You deserve the best life you can live.  One day at a time, one meal at a time, one good effort at a time--you can create the life you were meant to live.  Start now.