Change can be hard. Here are 6 tips to help!

Making healthy lifestyle changes can seem overwhelming and difficult. Many people give up when the going gets tough and never reap the benefits which come with a healthy lifestyle! Though some can just jump right in and embrace their new life, others need to take many small steps to get there!

Here are six tips to help you along the way!

1. Research and Read! It is so important you really understand what you are getting into! There are many self-help books out there, fitness, food, natural hygiene, etc., so go and do some reading! I read The 80-10-10 Diet, The Thrive Diet, and The Plant Powered Diet when transitioning to a vegan diet. I also studied vegan/raw food/acid-alkaline food with The University Of Natural Health. I wanted to be sure I understood my new diet & lifestyle! Become an expert!!

2. Get online and make new friends!! If you are adding fitness or changing your diet, the internet can be a great place for support! Facebook has thousands of groups to join, with people on a similar journey as you! I followed The Banana Girl Diet page, Freelee The Banana Girl, Raw Til 4, FoodNSport, and FullyRaw! It is a wonderful way to socialize with people living a similar lifestyle!

3. Commit!! You must make a commitment to make the change happen! If you continue to make excuses for your old habits and bad behaviors, you will not succeed, focus on the new! I made a commitment to follow a vegan lifestyle, though it wasn't always perfect, I focused on my commitment and didn't look back!

4. Set goals! If you have a diet goal(vegan, raw food, vegetarian), weight goal, running goal, or muscle building goal, make sure it is realistic. Give yourself an appropriate amount of time to reach it and keep track of your progress. If you are not sure what a realistic goal is, meet with a Personal Trainer or Health Coach to help you!

5. Give yourself a high five :) What I mean is, be kind to yourself and praise all of your hard work and effort!!! We usually focus on what we didn't do and forget to celebrate what we did do!! Every goal you've reached, every little step you've taken deserves a high five :)

6. Don't quit after one slip up! It is not easy making huge (or small) changes in your life. You may even slip up...it happens, we are all human! I remember the first time I drank a latte with a dairy base, I didn't panic or quit my new diet completely. Fuck it-what's the point now!?!? is not a healthy attitude to have and it will get you NO WHERE! Focus on the rest of the day, making the BEST choices you can! If you skipped a workout...well, tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity, don't give up because you slipped up!

Life is full of opportunities and new adventures, go out there and discover how you can make some wonderful changes in your life! Change is great, it can up your eyes to a whole new world and possibly bring positive health improvement in your life!!

Food, Friends & Family

"So...are you still vegan"? A question friends like to ask, followed by..."Well, we've been eating meat for centuries so I don't see anything wrong with it" Awesome, thanks for sharing :) I just can't imagine asking anyone..."Are you still eating meat & dairy"? Which I might just start doing...totally random too ;)

Is food the new "politics"? Is it meat-eaters vs vegans? I haven't given this much thought...even though every vegan blog, page, and forum recommends surrounding yourself with 'like-minded' people...hmmm I wonder why?? Should friends part ways and families no longer have dinner together because of our food choices? I would hope not!

In your lifetime you will make many changes, whether it's divorce, diet, exercise, religion, and even politics...because we are human and change is good and sometimes needed. I chose to be vegan not to lose friends and family, but because during THIS part of my life it is needed. I am young, healthy, active and want to stay this way for a long time. As I see more and more young people developing Cancer, Diabetes, very overweight, and taking numerous medications, I really questioned the American lifestyle.

Is NOT eating meat and dairy really that weird? I know numerous people who have dairy allergies, or don't eat meat, or only eat fish, organic only, or are gluten free, etc. So why do friends and family find the vegan diet so crazy. Maybe it makes them question their own diet and health? I think so!

What our friends and family don't understand is how we appreciate any support...which is why many of us join groups, follow other vegans, and forums. We want to feel normal, not made fun of or questioned constantly. Is it a defense mechinism? Do people behave this way because their own insecurities? I think so!

It is upsetting to be questioned all the time, or starred at while I eat, or told I am eating unhealthfully (because fruits & veggies will kill me, lol). I have never experienced so many new 'experts' in nutrition and the human diet since I've gone vegan, lol! EVERYONE is now an expert, even those living on soda, frozen dinners, and poptarts are some how more educated on diet than I am! It is crazy...I just want to eat and be happy :)

So, why not embrace your friends and family member's new lifestyle! Watch how good they feel, see how great they look, see how happy they are...these are all good things! Don't discourage them...support them! Do some research and educate yourself, get familiar with what they are doing! Skip all the jokes at dinner, or don't NOT invite them out because they don't eat the same as you (trust me, we are always prepared), don't question their health when they are HEALTHY!