How to Stay 'On Path' During Times Like These

I had a couple of clients ask for some advice around handling "off path" eating during this COVID19 pandemic. Almost all of us are off of our regular routines, and many of us are feeling the stress and anxiety of the situation. So, I offered them a couple of suggestions as to how they might better stay on path, and reduce the frequency of eating for any reason other than hunger. I thought this was worth sharing with everyone. I hope it helps.

Top tips to stay "on path" during COVID19:

Below you'll find the top tips. Want more? Read the full article of all the tips here!

1. Don't beat yourself up.

Guilt and shame don't help. You need to offer yourself compassion and grace during this difficult time. And instead of "writing off" a day or week, simply begin again the very next meal with something healthier and more in line with your long term goals.

2. Try focusing more on things that make you happy.

Is there something you can do or start right now that is totally unrelated to food?

What could you possibly "lose" yourself in right now? Organizing? Reading? Mabe a great Netflix series that you would otherwise not have time for? How about trying a new recipe!

3. Get out that gratitude journal!

Start tracking things that make you happy and that you are grateful for. Maybe it's as simple as your morning coffee, not having to commute, extra time for sleeping, or spending time with your family.

You could also work on a "Thrive List" or a "Happiness List" (things that make you happy and give you joy that are not food-related).

4. Remember that it all comes down to environment.

Stop focusing on the things you cannot control and instead focus on what you CAN. Here are some practical examples from James Clear. You can read more about shaping your environment here.

• If you want to remember to take your medication each night, put your pill bottle directly next to the faucet on the bathroom counter

• If you want to practice guitar more frequently, place your guitar stand in the middle of the living room.

• If you want to remember to send more thank-you notes, keep a stack of stationery on your desk.

• If you want to drink more water, fill up a few water bottles each morning and place them in common locations around the house.

5. Use a food tracking app.

A food journal like AteMate will allow you to start noticing new eating patterns that may develop. For example, do you notice patterns of stress eating after spending too much scrolling social media or watching the news for too long?

6. Finally, get some accountability partners!

Invoke a "call a friend" option when you're tempted to do some damage in the pantry, get a pal to join you on the AteMate app, or even better -- enlist the services of an accountability coach (like me) to help get you through this!

Know that this will not last forever and that soon enough, we will all be back to "normal". If your OLD normal consisted of a lot of healthy habits, make sure that you are working to maintain as much of those healthy habits as possible. And, if your old normal didn't include many at all, consider this a "clean slate" opportunity (also a reference to Gretchen Rubin) to make those changes NOW!

To read all the tips, read the full article here!

* Hey there! I'm Stacy! I am certified in Holistic Nutrition and even though I am a nutrition nerd, I am actually a foodie at heart. My motto is: Be healthy, but enjoy life -- just choose wisely! In my current accountability practice, I help women take control of their own health through the use of real, whole foods, and assist them in creating (and sustaining) lifelong health habits so they can FINALLY get off that horrible diet-rollercoaster! When I'm not coaching, eating or trying out a new recipe, you might catch me hanging out with my amazing 11-yr old daughter, working out (I love barre and spin), or perhaps watching my favorite reality TV program, 90 Day Fiance! I practice in my hometown of Calgary, AB but because most of my work is done online -- I am available for consultations or coaching wherever it is that you happen to call home.