We've all had a certain goal we want to obtain, whether it's a small one like reducing the amount of carbs we consume or a more focused and prolonged one like being able to stop eating meat and all of its derivatives. We diet for a million different reasons and our objectives are constantly changing, but one thing remains constant and that is how hard it gets to stick to a specific diet or meal plan without cheating or feeling overwhelmed.

In general, changes are hard and we don't always go for the safest option but rather the quickest one. On this blog, we are going to guide you through setting that specific dietary goal and sticking to it in the most effective and mindful way possible. But let's get something clear right away, this is in no way promoting unsafe and unhealthy diets to lose the most amount of weight in the least amount of time by doing something extreme or forcing yourself to eat something you really don't enjoy or simply stop eating at all. This guide is for you to stay focused and vibrant, it could apply to someone who wants to become a vegetarian or vegan, or even to someone who just found out they must stop eating something they used to center their meals around.

Take a look at these tips and share this with someone who needs to hear about them!

Investigate and consult with professionals

Think about what you want to achieve and why. If I want to become a vegan, am I going to do it for attention? Because it's something that seems cool?, or am I going to do it for my own health and wellbeing or even for the animals that suffer and the overall improvement of our planet? Investigate about the diet you want to follow, find something that makes sense for you and that constitutes a strong enough reason to pursue that objective. And always consult with an expert before trying something that may be too sudden, harmful or that could probably cause health problems.

Find the right diet or meal plan for you

Don't let yourself get blindsided by all those headlines that say “the fastest way to lose weight” or “top 10 diets to lose weight”. After consulting with a professional and knowing what your body needs because it's missing something or has too much of something, search, ask and find the best diet to follow. And by diet we don't mean a couple of weeks plan to reduce the amount of food you eat, but rather learning about new and healthier ways to still eat what you like and improve your whole meal plan.

Define and set a series of short term goals

Start slow but steady. Decide whether you really want to change your eating habits or not and keep in mind that this process could take a lot more time than you may have expected.  Make a small list of things you are looking forward to achieving and make sure those are on a short term basis. For example: “don't drink any coke or sugary drink with my meals for at least 21 days”. In this case for example you could be learning how to prepare healthier beverages and drink a lot more water without any added harmful colorants, chemicals and sugars. On the long run, this will improve your health and eating habits without necessarily feeling like you had to change everything in your plate, and once you achieve that first goal you are now able to move to the next one that could be for example “stop getting takeout when I could prepare a healthier meal at home for at least one month”.

Surround yourself with healthy food and multiple options

Make you sure you are constantly adding new items to your grocery shopping list. Expand your menu and try new recipes that are made with healthier ingredients. Once you have that in mind, make sure you fill your pantry with tasty but healthy options so that whenever you are craving a snack or a sweet treat you can eat one that is good for your body, like a fruit for example or gather the ingredients to prepare yourself a delicious smoothie. Dieting is all about control, remember that you don't have to stop yourself from eating or enjoying a meal, you are just improving what goes on the plate in order to feel better from the inside out.

Be patient and have fun

Even if you thought you needed to lose a lot of weight or were looking forward to fitting into that one dress but still haven't done it, don't worry, these things take time. It's better for you to start slow but steady and work yourself up to a whole new diet without completely giving up something or feeling like you don't enjoy your meals anymore because they are all too light or green. Have fun with the new diet, explore different options and try new cool, tasty and fun recipes. You could also join Facebook Groups that may help you stay in line or where you could find people with similar interests, struggles and objectives.