These 20 super quick tips will get you on the right path for a life changing relationship with food, health and energy. Though some of the tips are very easy they could change your life forever.

• Eat often to keep blood sugars level and stable throughout the day -- this doesn't mean a full meal  each time (it may be just a little)
  When blood sugars are stable we are less like to crave sweets and energy levels are preserved. If the day begins with sweets i.e. a donut, it can be difficult to get off the sugar roller-coaster. Instead choose whole grains and lean protein to keep the blood sugars steady.
  
• Get active. Exercise is a key ingredient to a healthy, happy life.
  No-one can dispute the many healing benefits of physical activity. Find something you like and do it often!
  
• Cut down on salt.
  Salt is hidden in many processed foods. AN increased salt intake has been associated with high blood pressure; most people don't know they're salt sensitive until diagnosed with high blood pressure. The easiest way to cut down on salt is to cut down of processed and packaged foods.
  
• Use cinnamon, ginger, cayenne and cardamon in cooking to promote weight loss.
  These spices have been shown to promote balanced blood sugars and give the metabolism a boost. Use them on whenever you can.
  
• Get enough sleep.
  Recent research has shown that those who sleep less have more struggles with their weight. It appears that getting enough shut eye encourages the body to heal and metabolize efficiently. How much is enough? If you wake before the alarm buzzes, that's a good indication you've had enough rest. Most people need 7-8 hours.
  
• Become more mindful of your intake by keeping a food journal.
  Research has shown that keeping a food journal can keep the pounds off. There is something about writing down everything consumed (both foods and beverages) that is a wonderful deterrent to overeating. 
  
• Chew food and slow down.
  The Zen masters said "chew your drinks and drink your foods". I'm not suggesting you go that far but taking the time to chew, rather than inhale, food not only increases nutrient absorption it can also decrease total intake. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to receive the signal from the stomach that it's full. By eating more slowly the likelihood of over eating is decreased.
  
• Write down your health and wellness goals.
  We all know the importance of setting career and business goals but what about health goals? How will you ever become a star belly dancer if you don't cement this dream in writing? Take some time right now to set some realistic and measurable health goals.
  
• Tell yourself you are not on a diet but eating for health every day!
  No-one enjoys feeling like they're on a diet so don't be on one! Instead eat for health and ditch the fad diet in the trash.
  
• Decorate your plate with a rainbow of colors.
  The many colors of fruits and vegetables are a key to their nutritional bounty. The deep pigments of plants protects them from chemical damage and these colorful ‘antioxidants' provide the same benefits to us. Anthocyanins are found in purple foods - beets, eggplant, and grapes while Lutein is found in broccoli, chard, kale and spinach. Fill your plate with a multi-colored salad for serious health protection.
  
• Eat seasonally.
  These days any fruit or vegetable can be found in the supermarket at any season. There was a time when our fruits and vegetables travelled from the nearby farm during the growing season. The benefits of buying seasonally include fruits and vegetables available at the peak of nutritional ripeness and at a lower cost.  To find the growing season of your favorite fruit shop at your local farmer's market.
  
• Include protein with every meal and snack.
  Protein provides the staying power to maintain energy levels without impacting blood sugar. For fewer artery clogging fats choose lean and vegetarian sources of protein such as peanut butter, nuts, beans, seeds, organic eggs, tofu, chicken and turkey.
  
• Include essential fats daily.
  Not all fats are bad; in fact some fats are essential to health because the body can't make them. These include omega-3 fats from cold water fish (salmon, mackerel etc.), flax and algae. The American Heart Association recommends 1-2g of omega-3 fats every day for super heart health. Not a big fish eater? Fish oil supplements are a convenient option. Also, sprinkle ground flax seeds on your cereal or salad.
  
• Eat until satisfied and then stop.
  The residents of Okinawa, known for their longevity and healthy aging, have a saying at the dinner table which basically translates to "eat until 80% full". It turns out this is a very important little saying, and one that we should all incorporate. Completely stuffed would be 100% full so 80% full would be comfortably full, but not stuffed. Stopping at 80% full is a great way to listen to your own internal hunger cues and balance your food intake. Give it a try at your next meal.
  
• Eat fermented foods.
  Fermenting foods is an ancient way of preserving and preparing foods. It also turns out that fermented foods are also high in healthy bacteria or ‘probiotics'. Probiotics help to keep the gut healthy by creating a healthy environment for good bacteria to flourish. 70% of our immune cells are in the gut, so a healthy gut means great immunity. Fermented foods include yogurt, miso, tempeh and some drinks.
  
• Include foods with healthy fats.
  Healthy fats are unsaturated and are protective for the heart, the skin and overall health. Foods with healthy fats include avocadoes, nuts, nut butters and fish.
  
• Take time to get calm.
  Prolonged stress plays havoc on health; increased risk of blood sugar problems, high blood pressure, fatigue and weight gain. Stress can also increase the tendency to emotionally eat.  Find ways to relax and de-stress, talk a walk in nature, meditate, practice yoga - whatever works for you but make the time for a mental vacation. 
  
• Focus on nutrient density.
  Make every calorie count by choosing foods with a high nutrient value e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, beans, low fat diary and lean meats. Minimize foods with generous calories and no redeeming nutrition - Twinkies, soda, cakes and most processed foods.
  
• Drink lots of water.
  Adequate water is essential for staying hydrated, for flushing toxins through the kidneys and colon and for glowing skin. Water and green tea are great hydrating choices. Green tea contains l-theanine which has been shown to help relaxation, decrease anxiety while at the same time increasing alertness. 
  
• Listen to your body.
  Pay attention to cravings, hunger and fullness signals, eat intuitively and make food choices intelligently. Deprivation is not a part of intelligent weight loss, there is always room for small indulgences; enjoy a small dessert or a glass of wine with the knowledge that balance is the basis of a healthy mind and body. 

FLIPPING THE SWITCH

A fitness friend (aka, fitness client) reached out to me recently with tears and said, "Christi, I can't seem to flip the switch. I want to lose the weight, but I keep making the wrong choices." As a trainer, as a friend, those words touched me deeply and, of course, I wanted to find an immediate way to help her flip that switch -- and "fix" it for her. It's not completely up to me to fix her -- it's not completely up to her -- it is completely up to us together as a fitness and health team. Neither of us were failing by any means. Failure would be NOT recognizing the need for change, not reaching out and eventually giving up. She doesn't want to give up -- she desperately wants to find a way to flip that switch. It's not easy. We're all wired differently so our "switches" are powered by different things.