Starting a new diet can be scary – you instantly crave all the things you very recently had access
to. You feel like you’re depriving yourself. Everything turns into ‘I can’t have that’, rather than
politely declining it because you don’t want it. Everyone has been there. Everyone has woken up
on the dreaded Monday, where they swore no more cupcakes and more lettuce, and instantly
regretted their decisions.
Dieting doesn’t have to be miserable.
A typical day on the TLC diet will be different, potentially, to what your days used to be like but
they don’t have to be bad.
Mornings
Mornings are a great time to revitalise yourself. You don’t need to go on a thirty minute jog, but
absolutely get in a quick routine. A five minute warm up followed by a few body weight
exercises to tone, and then cool down and off you go with your morning.
With TLC, breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated. A bowl of cereal with fat free, or low fat,
milk is fine. It provides complex carbohydrates, and tend to be low in fat. You’re also definitely
still allowed your coffee – just go light on sugar, or without it entirely if you can.
Afternoons
Diets and limp lettuce tend to be conjoined, but they absolutely don’t have to be. Lunch can be
anything from a tuna salad sandwich (with dressing!) or a low sodium vegetable soup. You can
experiment with your own recipes and throw together something you won’t dread eating a few
times a week.
If you work at a desk, try and get out for a walk – even if it’s just around your office building,
get your legs moving and try and get in a little exercise. Diet and activity go hand in hand in
ensuring a healthier life style.
Evening
The – for many – main meal of the day is important. For a lot of people, it’s something to look
forward to once you get home. Something like grilled skinless chicken breasts, with roasted
vegetables stays in line with the diet, tastes good and gives you many needed nutrients. If you’re
worried about bland taste, drizzle with olive oil, and rub herbs into the chicken, or even coat the
vegetables.
Snacks
Most diets prohibit snacking, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a treat every now and
then. Try and keep it healthier – don’t reach for the potato chips – but indulge your taste buds a
little. Greek yoghurt with a small portion of berries is a good, sweet example. It tastes good, it’s
filling and you’ll be doing your body a favour.
There are many great ways to stick to a TLC diet plan without worrying about what you’re no
longer allowed. For many foods, moderation is key. Meat is acceptable, just limit your intake of
it, reduce your dairy and sugars, and you’ll start giving your body the tools to repair the damage
and bring down your cholesterol without having to depend on tablets and pills from your doctor.