LOSING weight is hard enough, and being consistent with your diet to keep the weight off is even harder. Even people who live in the gym will struggle, and even with the allowed cheat days, many of us who try to maintain that lifestyle will fail at some point.

It’s because we believe that those we see attaining their fitness goals have a certain diligence and commitment that we don’t. But that’s not necessarily true. Once you’ve accepted that no one’s perfect and that there will be blocks along the road, your fitness journey will get easier. And sometimes it’s in the little things that you will find the greatest achievement – including things as seemingly small as just substituting unhealthy products in your diet for healthier ones.

We hit up a few clients of fitness trainer Lennox Richards to ask the question: What unhealthy food choice did you substitute for a healthy food that changed your life positively?

Sashae, 27:

I cut out white rice and use quinoa instead, and when I’m tired of that, I will have yam and pumpkin and other ground provisions. At first it was very, very difficult, but eventually I adapted to the point where I can’t even tolerate rice anymore. I no longer have that little belly that I had for a long time that working out wasn’t fixing.

Ryan, 33:

Sugary drinks – including sodas and box juices. Everything I have now is natural and sugar free, or I’ll just have plain water. This wasn’t hard at all, even the soda. Whenever I feel for something carbonated now, I’ll just have sparkling water. Cutting out sugar in that form makes me feel much more alert. Next I’ll be looking at the foods I eat to try to reduce the sugar content in what I eat.

Danielle, 40:

I’ve cut back substantially on the starches and carbs and desserts and eat more protein and vegetables. At first it was hard because for a long time I always wanted to eat something sweet right after my meals, but now I’ll eat dried fruit or trail mix instead of grabbing a cupcake or brownie. I do a lot of stir-frys, so it’s more meat and vegetables for dinner, instead of the rice and potatoes.

Owen, 54:

I cut back on the liquor drinking every day to just once per week as a treat. Now I drink juices and water and my belly has gone right down. I also eat mainly fish and seafood instead of red meat, and I just feel lighter and healthier every day.

Tracy-Ann, 43:

I didn’t realise that I was lactose intolerant and didn’t understand why I was always gassy and bloated until I stopped drinking cow’s milk and used oat milk instead. Now I feel wonderful. I use it in my coffee and in cereal, and I’ve replaced regular ice cream with non-dairy, and I just generally feel better, even though this was a small step.