The majority of people try to make big changes to their fitness program and diets all at the same time. It's great to have big goals and want to see major improvements however it is important to understand that it is quite easier to stick with small changes to start off. A good approach is to make small changes and turn those into habits. As you continue your newly formed habits you can then focus on your big goals. This will increase the chances of you reaching your long term goals. Here are some small changes your can make to start off with:

Some people have switched from using sugar to using sugar substitutes. On the surface this may seem like a good idea. Unfortunately these very sugar substitutes have been proven to cause other serious health problems such as cancer. Rather than using these sugar substitutes simply reduce your sugar intake.

Vitamin C is a crucial part of the human diet. Our bodies can not produce nor store this vitamin yet lack of vitamin C can cause several health issues such as brittle teeth and nails, soft gums, slow healing wounds and more. Try eating oranges, limes and lemons daily to meet your vitamin C needs.

Cooking your own meals as opposed to eating out is an important health tip. By doing so you can control the calories in your meal much easier. You are also able to swap certain ingredients for a healthier option and keep track of how much salt and fat are in your meal.

There are a number of cultural influences that cause us to have poor nutrition habits. For example, stuffing yourself on Thanksgiving, cake and ice cream to celebrate birthdays, Christmas cookies, Halloween candy, chocolates for Valentines Day etc. The truth is however is that we are the ones in control of what we put in out mouth. Blaming our environment is not a solution. To be in control we must be aware of these cultural influences then make conscious decisions to be healthier.

If you are looking to make better nutritional choices for yourself or a loved one there are several small changes that you can make to get started. For example, switch to or work your way down to skim milk. Buy whole wheat bread instead of white. Cook brown rice rather than white. Buy sweet potatoes or yams instead of regular potatoes. Cook with whole wheat pastas. I'm sure you can come up with more strategies as well.