10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Kitchen Weight Loss Ready

Of all the traps that keep me from obtaining my goal weight my kitchen is the worst.  If I just didn’t like sweet and salty and carb foods I’m sure that my weight loss journey would go much smoother.  Any of you feel my pain?  That said, today is as much a reminder for me as anything as I’m on my way to start cleaning out my pantry once again.  How can you make your kitchen weight loss ready?  Well let’s just say there is more to it than just the food.

10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Kitchen Weight Loss Ready

1. Post a motivational poster on your fridge.  Make a collage of motivation.  It could include pictures of yourself at a time when you were proud of your weight, words of affirmation, a picture of the outfit you want to fit into eventually–whatever motivates you to stay out of the kitchen and in the gym.
2. Post a weight loss graph where you post your weight weekly.  Yes, you could keep track of this on an app but there is something about seeing that graph right before you open the fridge or pantry that motivates you stay on track a little better.  You can actually download a free weight loss graph this month on Cornerstone Confessions if you are a subscriber.  To learn more about it, check out this month’s Goody Bag.
3. Remove the trap foods.  You know the ones–the sugary snacks, the white flour, the candy, etc.  Whatever trips you up just get rid of it.
4. Stock your pantry and fridge with good snacks.  You are still going to want those trap foods so plan ahead.  What items can you have on hand that you will appreciate choosing instead.  These will save you from buying more of that trap food on your next trip to the store.  Need some place to start?  A few homemade snacks we like are homemade granola bars and sugarless cookies.
5. Create healthy snack bins.  Portion out those healthy snacks that you chose for your substitute and place them in snack bins in your refrigerator and pantry so when you go for a quick fix, you choose something that is the right portion size.
6. Make a list of meals that you can make in 30 minutes  (or even 15 minutes) or less that are healthy for you.  This will encourage you to make something as opposed to take another trip through a fast food lane.  A few of my favorites include Raw Meal Shake Mix, a chicken and veggie stir-fry, and Quick Bean and Turkey Meatballs with spaghetti or a baked potato.  Also, make sure you have all the ingredients on hand for at least two of these “emergency” meals so you won’t be left with a reason for saying no.
7. Have various sized storage containers ready so you can portion out your meals as soon as you make them.  Since I’ve been trying to get away from plastic containers, I have really appreciated Pyrex glass containers since they come in all sizes.
8. Make sure you have the right appliances to do the job.  Depending on how you like to fix your healthy meals, you may need a blender, juicer, steamer, or indoor grill.
9. Make a weekly meal plan, post it, and stick to it.  As research shows, those who plan their meals have a much better chance of sticking to a healthy diet.
10. Leave your food scale and/or other appropriate measuring utensils on the counter as a reminder to measure first.  After all, a big part of weight loss is all about portion control.

Have any other tips you would recommend for your kitchen in regards to weight loss?

What have you found to work best at keeping you motivated to stay on the healthy track in the kitchen?

 Take it to the next level with these resources:

• Learn the difference between whole foods and unhealthy foods
• My Health Inspiration and Recipes: Healthy Pinterest boards for more health and fitness tips