Health Scouts; Boy Scout Smart

As I made my breakfast this morning, I realized how nice it was that I had fruit already cut up to use in the preparation. It reminded me of how effortless it was during the week to reach in the fridge and get prepared fruit to snack on. It made it much easier to choose to eat fruit.....just because it was 'ready to go'!! Why would you not choose fruit/veggies just because you would have to take a couple of minutes to cut them up at the time you were going to eat them? I think the biggest reason is 'instant gratification'. I want something, and I want it right now!! Hey, whatever the reason, if cutting up fruit/veggies ahead of time makes you choose them, isn't it worth doing? If you just won't, can't, or don't have time to do this preparation yourself, get a prepared fruit/veggie tray at the store. It costs a little more, but doesn't being unhealthy cost you too?

Another thing that came to mind while using the prepared fruit is the Boy Scout motto; Be prepared. How smart are they?!!!! Don't you think losing weight/getting healthy would be so much easier if we followed the Boy Scouts' advice?

Below is a list of things to 'be prepared' for if you want to boost your weight loss/get healthy efforts:

daily meals/snacks - plan your meals ahead of time, buy the items you need for the meals/snacks you planned for; if there are foods that trigger overeating....do not include those in your plan, do not buy them (it's much easier to stay away from something when it's not as convenient to get to!)
eating out - plan ahead on what you're going to eat/drink, what you're going to pass on...and STICK TO IT
attending a special function - see 'eating out'
exercise - establish a routine!, have a plan on what exercises (strength training and cardio - you need both) you will do and what days of the week you'll do them, (it's much easier to exercise AND feel like you've accomplished something when you have a plan rather than winging it)
planning - set aside a time daily/weekly to plan (remember the saying...."If you fail to plan; you plan to fail!")
oh...and last but not least...
plan B - no matter how careful we are to plan ahead, there are still times that life just gets in the way of those plans - always have an alternate plan (e.g. if you planned on walking outside, but it's raining....have a plan to pop in a video and follow it, or do jumping jacks, run in place, anything you can do inside that will get your heart rate up); if your eating out plan was foiled because what you planned for wasn't available, plan to make the next best healthy choice...don't just give up and eat anything on the menu)

I hope these tips were helpful and encourage you to make the most of your losing weight/getting healthy efforts!

Happy Scouting, Health Scouts!!!