Finding the right lifestyle change for you.

I made my lifestyle change a year and a half ago. A lifestyle change that I knew I could stick with. Before you even attempt to start your lifestyle change you need to make sure that you have researched and I mean thoroughly researched the diet you want to stick with for life. This is the most important thing and the key to succeeding in your lifestyle change. I was not a big bread fanatic nor pasta, which made it fairly easy for me to see what lifestyle change would fit my liking. Not all diets are for everyone, but all diets are FOR LIFE. This seems to be the largest mistake people make. You choose a diet in which you have seen drastic results, and think because the results are so large that you should jump on that band wagon. This is your first mistake. Whether it be Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or South Beach, you need to research all of these foods and look at what you are putting into your mouth now, versus what these companies and this diet will have you cutting out and eating more of. If you can't give up your breads and pasta's do not do the low carb diets. If you find you can't count the points then the point system is not for you. No one said dieting was easy, but you will make it harder for yourself if you do not do the research. What types of foods do you find comforting that are healthy for you? I enjoy chocolate. Who doesn't? The lifestyle change I have made includes chocolate made with artificial sweeteners. Sugar has been almost completely cut out of my everyday life with the exception of 10 to 15 grams of it. Do I find I can't function? Absolutely not. I find I have more energy! Starting small and substituting one of your not so healthy foods or as I do and make the same food with artificial sweetner is a start to being healthy. I make a wonderful home made strawberry cheesecake and I also make a great pumpkin pie that I can eat during the holidays and not feel as though I am having to cheat or miss out on the joys of the holidays! There is always a way to make a sweet treat, one that is good for you and you don't feel as though you are missing any of that yummy holiday food! The key to success though is finding that diet that you can stick to for the rest of your life.