Who else has a party to attend this weekend? I actually have two of them tonight. There will be yummy food, beer, wine, all of my favorite things. Because fitness is a lifelong process for me, I know I can’t cut those things out of my life completely – nor would I want to. Good food and drink make life so much more enjoyable! On the other hand, I don’t want food to come between me and living a healthy, fit lifestyle. The key is being able to enjoy the foods I love in moderation. I can stop after having a taste here and there. For many of you, it’s hard to do that. Developing a healthy relationship with food is crucial in your success. Remember, food is not the enemy. It’s a source of energy, nourishment, and pleasure… but it has to be consumed in the context of a healthy lifestyle.
DO:
Enjoy not-so-healthy foods in moderation while sticking to the 80/20 rule
Be aware of every bite that goes into your mouth
Savor the “bad” foods you enjoy
Get right back on track afterward
Be aware of your trigger foods (things that are hard to stop after just one) and stay away from them
Keep your goal(s) in the forefront of your mind
Focus on the progress you’ve made so far
DON’T:
Eat mindlessly
Feel guilty about eating not-so-healthy foods occasionally
Overeat
Feel defeated if you fall off the wagon
When you’re struggling with temptation, what will you tell yourself? This is where self-talk comes in to play. Instead of listening to the voice inside your head that says, “You already ruined your diet, you may as well have more!” listen to the one that says, “You have worked too hard to let anything ruin your progress. A little bit won’t derail you, but you can’t go overboard.”