When you think of the word diet or the phrase weight-loss, you might think of all the foods you have been eating lately which you won't be allowed to eat.

I'm not going to lie to you either, you can't keep eating the way you've been eating if you fill your stomach with empty calories, fast food, and junk food in general.

Also, I'm not going to tell you if you come to pilates class 3 days or more per week that you'll lose weight and have the body of your dreams…and you can't eat anything you want.  None of that is true.  You need to know though that eating cleaner, better foods is going to be the element that's going to really get you results.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, you can't just work out like a maniac and think you can eat the same way. Doesn't work that way.  You might get lucky for awhile, but the bad eating will eventually catch up with you.  Believe me, I've been there.

However, here's my secret to cutting out those same addictive foods … I don't CUT them out.  I REPLACE them.  There is a big difference in feeling like you've replaced something you normally eat with something else.  Let me tell you what I mean.  I am a huge dessert fan.  Always have been.  I knew that I'd be spending day after deprived day wanting the foods that I had banned from my kitchen.  So, after my initial I-can't-eat-anything-bad week on the diet, I started coming up with ingenius little snacks to satisfy my cravings.

I still have bread, but it's Ezekial Bread or sprouted grain bread which has a lot more fiber and protein in it.

I still eat burgers, but they are usually organic ground turkey or chicken on a  bed of spinach with avocado and low fat mozzerella on top.

I still have dessert sometimes, but it's usually melted almond butter with a few slices of banana or coconut in it.

I still have wine from time to time.  And it's just wine…

I still have “shakes” but they aren't from McDonald's or In-n-Out  — they are Protein Shakes – in many different yummy natural flavors.

I still have chocolate, but it's usually in raw cacao nib form.  Look at your local health food store to find that. A few nibs, some raisins, and a few almonds…and I'm good to go.

Now, during the holidays, I'm still consuming my favorite thing ever…pumpkin.

Last year this time I was hunting down the local jack in the box for their pumpkin pie shake — and having it several times per week I might add….what the heck was wrong with me!  Today, I roasted my own pumpkin and used some of the puree to make my own smoothie with vanilla protein powder, stevia sweetener, fat free milk, a little pumpkin pie spice.  It was seriously yummy and healthy too!  Next time, I'll add in some ground flaxseed, bee pollen and benefiber.

I know you've probably got a ton of things that I didn't mention on this list and don't know where to start to make some healthy food replacements.  Most everything I was eating had a replacement.  The things that I did not replace were:

1. sodas of any kind – even the no carb ones.  I rarely have anything carbonated at all — I was a heavy ginger ale, diet coke, and sometimes diet dr. pepper drinker…but no more.  I have brewed iced tea, water, almond milk in smoothies sometimes, and fat free milk in my coffee.

2. cake – I know there are a ton of healthy, vegan recipes out there but I feel like if I go down that path of making cakes again, it could be a trigger for the bad cakes.  I'm not saying I never have cake, it's just not on my list of things to get at ralphs every single day.

3. juices & sports drinks – never really had them and now I definitely don't

I was trying to think of more things that I haven't found replacements for, but really, I've been able to find something to satisfy whatever craving strikes.

If you need help finding a replacement for your food that will actually satisfy you, let me know. I'll help!

If you live in the Los Angeles area, come to one of my group reformer pilates classes and ask me the questions directly.  We always talk about food…mostly because I love to eat, but also because classes are often right before lunch or dinner.

Some sites that have helped me and I know they can help you too:

Live Well 360

The Healthy Irishman

Carrot ‘n Cake

Kath Eats

Good luck finding those healthy alternatives!