It's almost time for spring cleaning, an annual ritual that can do a whole lot more than de-clutter your house. This year, use spring cleaning as an opportunity to further your weight loss goals by ditching temptations, dumping negative influences, and incorporating positive reinforcement into your life.
Weight Watchers suggests starting with the kitchen, the most obvious trouble spot for those with dieting difficulties. Step one is to organize the kitchen, a room that can easily get disorganized and chaotic. Unlike the kind of kitchen that looks like the site of a nuclear attack, a well-organized kitchen is an inviting place. An inviting kitchen means less eating out, and less eating out means more of a bunch of other good things, like better nutrition and more financially-friendly eating habits.
When the kitchen is tidied, it's time to turn your attention to the food that's filling it. Is your kitchen packed with snacks and sweets? Toss 'em. Anything that's likely to ruin your resolve or entice you to break your diet needs to go, as does anything that you haven't actually touched in months. If you're a Weight Watchers member, label things with their points value to make it easier to make the right choices, and if you live with others, hide their treats to help you resist temptation. Out of sight, out of mind.
After your work in the kitchen is complete, you're ready to turn your attention to the rest of the house. Yes, it's not just the kitchen that can make or break your diet – de-cluttering other areas of your home can also be conducive to weight loss success.
You know that pair of jeans from high school that you're hoping to fit into again? Throw them out. And that dress that's so big it looks like it could be a tent for a family of four? Throw it out too. There's no sense in holding on to clothing that doesn't fit who you are NOW, and by dressing in things that don't flatter your figure, you're setting yourself up to feel miserable and lose confidence. Start every day by putting on an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself and boosts your self-esteem.
Make any room that's not the kitchen a “food-free zone” so you're not tempted to cheat on your diet. Get rid of tray tables or candy dishes, and anything else that could lead to mindless eating. A fruit bowl is a great alternative that's both healthy and aesthetically pleasing. The more healthy options that are front and center, the more likely you are to achieve your weight loss goals!
For more information on the diet program mentioned here you can read our review of WeightWatchers.com.
