by Hildi Hearn

Created on: January 17, 2007   Last Updated: September 13, 2011

How to Rid Your Cabinets of Junk Food (the Secret Stash Included):

Changing your eating habits seems like an impossible task. How many times have any of us tried it? At the very least as a New Year's Resolution. And how many times have we failed? Is it difficult? Absolutely. Is it impossible? Definitely not. There are a list of reasons to improve your diet (notice I didn't say "go on a diet"). Better health, more energy, looking nicer in your clothes, self-esteem, the list goes on. So why is it so hard? Well, we could spend our time discussing that or we could get right down to how to do it. I have outlined six (I don't want to lie and say easy) steps to begin to change you eating habits and by extension, your life. How do I know these work? I have done them not only for myself (a person who's idea of a healthy meal with vegetables was Chunky Stew straight out of the can), but I slowly tricked my husband into it. To this day he doesn't even know his diet has improved. All he knows is that he feels better without being on a diet of rabbit food. If it can work of the two of us, trust me, it can work for you.

1. Prepare yourself mentally. I know this sounds corny but there will be some rough spots and you need to be ready for them. Remember that this is not a diet, it's a "lifestyle change". So your mind set has to change accordingly. Make a list of why you want to change your eating habits. Be as detailed or as abbreviated, as you like. Make the list as long as you like. Use colors and underline things. Maybe you want to live longer so you can be around for your kids. Maybe you want to be more physically active and participate in certain events more. Maybe you want to feel better and think more clearly. Whatever they are, they are good reasons. Make copies of this list and tape them in places where you will see them everyday. Above your dresser drawer. On the bathroom mirror. In your car. On the fridge so you can see it before you decide what you are going to reach for!  It should be a constant reminder of what you really want out of life so you can stick to it through the cravings. You may also want to put up notes on cupboards and on the fridge that cravings don't last. But when you are having one it feels like a lifetime. Besides, cravings are like stray cats, if you don't feed them when they show up, eventually they stop coming around.

2. Spend a couple of days writing down what you eat, how much you eat and when you eat it. You might be surprised

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