Diet. Such a harsh word! Dieting is not what it used to be. The perception associated with diet has become so negative over the years. What happened to living a healthy lifestyle? Eating for heart health? Exercising because it feels good?

Some may have lost, or never had, the desire to live healthy. We are surrounded by food; it’s everywhere. We live in such a commuter, sedentary world—one where we have become reliant on convenience. Some would say we’ve become lazy! I wouldn’t put all the blame on oneself, the whole nation contributes to this way of living. If it’s easier, cheaper, and faster; it just seems better.

At least that’s the mentality that the world has developed. We’ve become so work-focused that we lack thought process with our food choices. Therefore, food choices have been set up for us to make it an easy process of grab and go. Thank you, fast-food restaurants for contributing to the prevalent unhealthy lifestyle.

It’s a fast-paced world we’re living in and we do our best to keep up. Constant changes with already busy lives results in convenient living. Let’s face it: many fear and admit that making change would require time, effort, discipline, and the much-needed quick results to continue the “making change” journey. It would be simple to turn to a diet, one that promises quick weight loss while still getting to eat your cake, too. The expected rapid weight loss that comes with dieting, of course, will lead you to the inevitable end of gaining all your weight back, plus some. I think we’ve all been there and if you say you haven’t, you’re probably lying.

Does it have to be a diet?  Why not start with small steps toward healthy lifestyle change?

Maybe it’s your lack of fruit intake, little to no water consumption, or maybe exercise is non-existent in your life. We’ve all made mistakes with our health. While most relate their poor choices to the ways of the world, others simply don’t care or they don’t know why they should care. Starting your journey today does not mean that you have to know all the intricacies of nutrition and the science behind it; your knowledge base will progress over time. Starting today will only require the want to.

One has to understand that forming a healthy lifestyle will take time. It’s a huge adjustment and you will have to allow your body time to adapt, considering we start shaping who we are from day one. Learn nutrition as you make small, healthy lifestyle changes rather than jumping in full force and pulling a 180. Don’t diet—just live, but live healthier. Start today! If you feel that you could make a change in the way you’re eating, pick one thing to work on and put your focus on that ONE thing. Set a goal, stick to it, and when you’ve reached success with that goal, move on to the next.

In order to overcome bad habits, you have to face the world one goal at a time. Start today by picking one thing that you feel you could work on and set a realistic goal for YOU. Pick a goal you can be faithful to, one that you know will be possible. You may now be thinking of all the possible goals in your future with the potential success attached to them. Good! This is your start to a new, healthier life!

Target your weakness, battle it, and conquer!