Clear the Clutter

It can help you focus better, choose healthier foods, and even succeed at weight loss!
Published January 16, 2017

Living in a chaotic or messy house can leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. No surprise: It’s hard to focus when so many things are scrambling for attention. But what might surprise you is that such surroundings can also affect your ability to manage your weight. Consider: A crowded, disorganized kitchen makes it harder to cook (and easier to choose microwave meals, snacks, and other grabbable eats). A bedroom with a bursting closet and dresser means it’s hard to get your gym clothes ready to go. There’s a physiological aspect, too: Increased stress can trigger a greater amount of the hormone cortisol, which may be a factor in obesity.

So how can you start clearing the clutter at home in an effective way? And how can you be sure that what you do hang onto will help your healthy living efforts?

Bring in the good stuff
Small single-move changes can make a difference. If you don't bring potato chips into the house, you won't eat them. (And if there's someone who does want them in the house, like your kid or spouse, find a spot where you won't see them. Or repackage them in a plain opaque container you label with the SmartPointsTM value per serving. If you stock your fridge with cut-up fresh peppers and carrots, you’re less likely to reach for something you don't really want. If you replace your whole milk with skim, you'll start drinking skim milk. If you put fresh fruit in a bowl on your kitchen table, grabbing an apple for a snack is effortless.

Beyond the kitchen
But it's not just your cupboards and fridge that can help you stay on plan. De-clutter the den/family room, too. Clear out the snack table and bring in some hand weights and maybe an exercise ball so you can move while you watch TV. Your bedroom is another place where calm can help: People who are consistently sleep-deprived are more likely to be overweight. So create a sleep-inviting haven by putting away clothes, and banishing the TV and laptop. Room-darkening shades can help, too. And clear the decks (or desks!) at work. The vending machine. The working lunch. The Friday pizza run. 

Go fish!
Try our delicious Grilled Halibut and Pineapple, our Grilled Miso-Glazed Cod or our Lemon-Herb Roasted Salmon dishes for dinner tonight!