So today started my 21-day eating challenge.  It was going to be a 21-day Clean eating challenge, I have found that there are at least 2-million definitions for “clean eating”, so I am going with my version of eating healthy.

It is easy to do and easy to understand.  I do not have to find exotic ingredients or spend $4000 a week on food.  I love fruits and love to cook with vegetables, so yesterday I went grocery shopping for lots of fresh ingredients, and some natural sweeteners like honey for when I have a really sweet tooth.

Exercise has become a regular part of my life, I mostly enjoy it, I definitely feel better for doing it, and it has made such a difference in me I could not imagine living without it.  Eating healthy on the other hand I have found more of a challenge.

I LOVE food, good food, I do not eat unhealthy fast food, but I do eat processed foods.  Things that are easy to make and quick to fill (although that filled is short-lived), these are the foods I gravitate to throughout the day.  I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in January 2012, directly after this diagnosis I lost quite a bit of weight and felt better than I had felt in decades, so my big initial weight loss was pretty easy.  Keeping it off is harder.  In March 2012 I quit smoking after three decades of smoking, I have no problem not smoking but I know at times I am eating when somewhere deep inside I want a cigarette.

Telling all of my background and food issues will take at least 21-days so I will get back to the point of my 21-day challenge; to create lasting habits so that I eat well and remain healthy.

Here is my 10- point plan – 1.  Cook and prep ahead of time as much as possible  2.  Use fresh ingredients  3.  Avoid sugar substitutes and sugar as much as possible without wanting to knife someone.  4.  Avoid processed gluten-free food, stick to eating from the outside aisles of the grocery store to naturally avoid gluten.  5.  Limit dairy, dairy bothers me and if I eat a little cheese or ice cream I want it all :).  6.  Eat at home 7.  Keep a food diary  8.  Drink more water, I drink mostly water anyway, but need to drink more and no diet sodas.  9.  Eat breakfast daily, I cannot give up coffee and chocolate or I will decimate anyone I come in contact with, so I am keeping coffee.  10.  Stop letting my brain tell me when I am hungry and find a distraction to pass the time (I actually accomplished a couple of times today).

That is it, that is my healthy eating plan for the next 21-days and hopefully beyond.  I have no excuses only great things to accomplish.

Oh, and I am open to tips and advice from anyone who wants to offer.

Until next time…