As the new year is finally here, What are you aiming for in 2012? The word “diet” is what comes to so many peoples minds. When asked 10 people what their new years goal was going to be, they all stemed from “diet”. If this is something that has rolled off of your lips, please first change your thoughts by changing your choice of words. If you just listen to how that word sounds or looks, doesn’t it look daunting?! Change the word to something more appealing such as “start living” or “incorporate more delicious foods”, “feel invigorated”. Now of course, those each need to be a bit more specific but doesn’t the overall goal now sound inviting?
When most people think of “dieting”, the thought of deprivation, limited food sources, relentless cravings and boredom comes to mind. When you “diet”, this is typically its outcome but it doesn’t have to be that way! When you start living and learn to incorporate healthy foods, you will feel invigorated and see that “dieting” isn’t so bad after all! It isn’t about restricting yourself but rather learning how to make better choices. Eating less is not typically the answer rather eating differently is. Fad diets will have so much more of a negative impact on your longevity than you can even fathom. If fitting into your skinny jeans is your goal, you can do it without risking your health. You can do it! Rather than taking on the next best “diet”, learn the tools you have to embrace to start living! If you are striving for permanent success, once and for all, please don’t diet in 2012! Dieting may lead to short term success but who wants to put in all the work and suffering for temporary changes and at the cost of your health? Invest your time and energy into creating new habits that will lead you to longterm success!!
Use these tips to help you Start Living in 2012! Notice the differences between Dieters and Lifestylers
-START SMALL. Gradual changes Will lead to big results. Don’t completely cut everything out, start with the 1/2 Rule…

DIETING: CUT OUT ALL SUGAR
LIFESTYLERS: CUT OUT 1/2 THE SUGAR
-SERVING SIZES. Understand a serving size. So often you don’t even know what a serving size looks like. A good rule of thumb:
FIST=1 CUP
PALM=3 OZ
THUMB=1 OZ OR 1 TBSP
TIP OF THUMP 1 TSP
DIETING: NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR SCALE
LIFESTYLERS: KNOW A SERVING SIZES (may take a while to truly understand but once you do, ditch the scale)
RECORD: Taking note of what you put into your mouth and the type of activity you do will greatly help in your journey. Understanding what it is you do, what you eat and most of all being able to reflect on your past will help you in your future.
DIETING: RECORD EVERYTHING FROM CALORIES, CARBS, FATS, PROTEINS, FATS, ETC. DO NOT EAT WITHOUT COUNTING YOUR CALORIES
LIFESTYLERS: NOTE ALL YOUR INTAKE WITH SPECIFIC FOOD/DRINK CHOICES BUT FOCUS LESS ON COUNTING CALORIES)
Use your Personal Log to Track your Progress!
READ LABELS. Reading food labels is key to understanding there quality that goes into your mouth. It is not only about the nutrition facts but also and almost more important is the Ingredients list. If you can’t read an ingredient, most likely it is not mean to be eaten. Rule of thumb: All ingredients are listed in order from greatest to least so if sugar is #1 and whole grain is #4, that product has 4x as much sugar than whole grain and is not the best choice.
DIETERS: LOOK AT NUTRITION FACTS FIRST, FOCUSING ON CALORIES.
LIFESTYLERS: LOOK AT INGREDIENTS FIRST, NUTRITION FACTS SECOND.
COOK AT HOME. Food is never as healthy as when you prepare it yourself. Learn how to cook so you can enjoy home cooked meals and truly trust what you are eating.
DIETERS: EAT OUT MAKING “HEALTHY” CHOICES NOT KNOWING THEIR WHITE FISH IS BASTED WITH BUTTER.
LIFESTYLERS: COOK AT HOME, CREATE A HEALTHY YET A GOURMET MEAL ANYONE WOULD DIE FOR.
(NON MEMBERS) Download Gina’s 50 Favorite Balanced Healthy Recipes to help you Cook Gourmet!
(MEMBERS) 50 FAVORITE BALANCED RECIPES
FATS. Eat fat but the right kinds. Remember not all fat is created equal. Eat good fat sources from Unsaturated sources and include Coconut Oil, which is a saturated GOOD fat!
DIETERS: NO FAT, PLEASE!!
LIFESTYLERS: GOOD FATS ONLY, THANK YOU!
HYDRATE. Drinking water is essential and should be sipped on throughout the day for hydration and proper bodily functions, energy and vitality! Rule of thumb, drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces.
DIETERS: DRINK WHEN THEY ARE THIRSTY.
LIFESTYLERS: DRINK ALL DAY LONG, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT THIRSTY.
EXERCISE. We cannot forget to include exercise as a huge component of your daily routine! Exercise is so important to burn calories, increase your metabolism but most importantly for your heart health. Exercise daily!
DIETERS: I NEED TO EXERCISE EVERYDAY FOR HOURS ON END.
LIFESTYLERS: DO SOMETHING ACTIVE EVERYDAY, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. FOCUS LESS ON A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH AND MORE ON WHAT THEY ENJOY!
FOR MY TOOLS, TIPS AND A FULL LIFESTYLE PROGRAM, BECOME A LIFESTYLER TODAY BY DOWNLOADING MY NEW ALL INCLUSIVE 85 PAGE PLAN, OFFERING YOU HOW TO GET STARTED ON YOUR LIFESTYLE PLAN TODAY AND SEE IT THROUGH IN 2012! MY SIMPLE, EASY AND REALISTIC TOOLS WILL ALLOW YOU TO CREATE EVERLASTING CHANGE!! LET ME HELP YOU WITH YOUR JOURNEY! I BELIVE IN YOU!! 2012 IS GOING TO BE YOUR YEAR!!
DOWNLOAD THE PLAN TODAY