If I were a betting lady (which I can be), I’d guess that one of the main reasons that people get off track with their healthy eating plan is that they get bored.
I mean, how many broccoli florets can one girl eat, and for how many days in a row??
Now, I mean no offense to this cute little tree-shaped veggie, but in reality, repetition can get a little boring. I know I’ve experienced it before… and for that reason, I work really hard to make sure that I have variety in my menu.
While I maintain a few staples in my menu, I really try to mix up my weekly meal plans with a variety of foods to keep me both interested and satisfied.
Today, as part of the ProgressOH campaign from Progresso™ Soups, I’m sharing my “Top 4 Tips” to banish boredom while you’re trying to lose weight…
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1. Vary Your Snacks
There are so many fruits and veggies to choose from, that I never have trouble in this area. A great way to mix up your fruit and vegetable choices are to choose based upon seasons!
For example: Choose cherries in the summer, apples in the fall, and roasted brussels sprouts in the winter. While most fresh produce is available year round, they are extra delicious during their special seasons (and often times, on SALE!)
2. Mix Up Your Main Dishes
I publish two new recipes every single week here on NTTC, and I probably could share even more than that! You see, I try about 2-3 new recipes every week… by design.
It started as a way for me to constantly have great recipe content for you guys here on the blog, but it’s become a creative outlet for this very busy girl and a great way to make sure my menus don’t stall out.
This summer, for example, I was crazy about peppers. Trying all the varieties…..
Pictured: Stuffed Poblano Peppers, Pan-Seared Shishito Peppers with Yogurt-Sriracha Dipping Sauce, and Lightened Up Jalapeno Poppers
People often ask where I get my ideas. Well, I find tons of new recipes on the internet (Hello, Pinterest), from my favorite bloggers, and from cookbooks like this one from Skinnytaste.
Get creative! Go International! Experiment with lentils! The sky’s the limit!
3. Keep a Variety of Ready-to-Eat Foods on Hand
On an ideal week, I have time to prepare a fresh meal every night, post lovely blog content, fold laundry, and bake healthy cookies… but in reality, that doesn’t happen that often (Especially the cookie part. Who has time to bake during the week??)
To make sure I’m inspired and creative even on nights when I don’t have time to cook, I make sure I have options in the cupboard and the freezer ready to go at a minute’s notice.
And, with that… I have to introduce you to my new favorite soups. Have you tried Progresso™’s Light soups???
My favorite soup company offers FORTY different flavors of light soups, clocking in at 100 calories or less per serving. My favorite flavors are the Light Beef Pot Roast, Light Italian Style Meatball, and Light Savory Beef Barley Vegetable – – Yum!!!
When my friends at Progresso™ reached out to share some of their favorite flavors with me, I couldn’t resist jumping in spoon first!
As part of this campaign, I’ve also fallen in love with the Savory Beef Barley Vegetable, and I’m keeping a spare can of this soup at my desk… for when I can’t leave the office, and I need something warm and filling for lunch. So good, and only 80 calories per serving. Yum-O!
4. Make Your Meals a Production
Regardless of what I’m eating, I always try to make sure that my food is plated up in a pretty way.
Pictured: Baked Cauliflower Cakes (L) and Grilled Lime Chicken with Avocado-Corn Salsa (R)
Cooking is truly an art, whether something is coming out of the slow cooker or fresh from the microwave. And… when it’s more appetizing in appearance, I tend to enjoy it more!
Example: When I tried my new Progresso™ soup flavors this week, I made sure that I served them up in style with my pretty Fiestaware dishes. How gorgeous is the yummy Light Chicken Alfredo when it’s dressed up in Fiestaware with a sprinkle of parsley??
Speaking of dressing up… My new friends at Progresso™ are hosting a special Progress-Oh! MAKEOVER contest this month! I’ve just finished entering moments ago!
Oh yes, you can enter for a chance to win a wardrobe makeover for you and three of your friends, courtesy of Progresso™! Enter the ProgressOh! wardrobe makeover contest at Progresso.com/ProgressOh. Four deserving Progresso fans and three of their friends will each win a $1,000 cash card and a year-long subscription to the POPSUGAR “Must Have Box”
I hope these tips can help you battle boredom every step of the way in your weight loss journey. Adopting them helped me, and can help you too!
What are your tips for avoiding boredom on your healthy eating plan? Share them below in the comments.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Progresso™ through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Progresso™, all opinions are my own.