I enjoy rich and savory meals, and yes, that includes certain package foods. That is why restricting these foods is hard. It is hard to resist freshly baked bread with a side of garlic butter or warm olive oil. So, what’s a girl to do? Drink more water, talk to my guest, or reluctantly check my phone that I promised to keep off the table. So, I have the bread with some warm olive oil. The appetizer tray comes around with short ribs and warm spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips; I enjoyed every morsel. What are calories if you can’t share them with family and friends? Our love affair with food is sometimes complicated, but we all can agree that our food defines our health. Currently, processed foods dominate our health because they are fast, easy, and temporarily satisfy us. However, we deprive ourselves of essential vitamins by overeating processed food, which means our cells’ needs are never met. If the body is starved of vital nutrients, then no dieting will keep the weight off.
So, that is why I could not go on a diet because that is self-sabotage. Dieting requires strict self-control, which is not realistic because of our cravings changes, and that is the side effect of going on a diet. Going on a diet sounds good until after a month; then you realize you have hit a plateau. It’s as if your metabolism stopped working, but more importantly, it slows down. Over time you will gain half or all of the weight back. However, if you change your lifestyle and your approach to food, you will achieve balance and results.
Enjoy what you eat, so that maintaining a healthy weight is not so stressful.
You do not want to feel miserable after eating what you perceive as a delicious meal. Yet, most of us do, especially when we do not consume foods that give us lasting energy. No one wants to feel sluggish or guilty after enjoying a meal. Most of us binge eat on what we restrict in our diets. Foods that give us some pleasure and comfort are considered “bad,” so we avoid them until we can’t anymore. Instead of removing savory foods, we should always combine them with more nutritious meals. So that pint of ice cream is never in my hands for long. I put some in a small bowl with various nut toppings, and that’s it. Before you know, it is lockdown weight gain, and you are back to square one. Being home gives me more time to cook and experiment with new flavors. Collard greens have never been my favorite, but I discovered a way to make it enjoyable. Listen, life is stressful enough, so your weight loss journey and food choices shouldn’t have to be.
Eat for nutrition and satisfaction, so you can feel fuller and more energized.
We are all guilty of consuming too much fat, sugar, salt, and carbs. These foods may make us “feel good” but leave us hungry. That hunger that we cannot satisfy makes us overeat and gain weight quickly. I learned this the hard way, which is why I have opted for the salad, soup, or fruits, before my main course. For instance, if you love fried foods, it should be a minor portion on your plate because you need more fruits and vegetables. It is also an excellent way to discipline yourself to eat better and feel fuller without regrets. Ultimately, if you are not getting enough nourishment, you will crave foods that will give you a quick burst of energy but leave you feeling empty. Nutrient-dense foods are the fuel our body needs on a micro nutritional level.
Accept that there is no diet plan out there that’s specific to your needs.
For the most part, we all want to eat whatever we want, without an active lifestyle, and still keep the extra pounds off. Hence, we try all these diets, and we hope that the pounds melt away and never come back again. Most people want rapid results primarily fueled by their desire for that “perfect summer” body. Any goal you set for yourself, I believe it is worth putting in the extra effort and having a lot of patience. If you have a particular fondness for sugary drinks, fast food, or overeating, don’t expect exercise alone to help your weight loss without cutting out or significantly reducing your consumption. When people say they are going on a diet, they do not give themselves any flexibility to figure out what will truly work. It should not be that way because you have to balance nutritious and comfort foods. Your diet should be inclusive and palatable; that way, it prevents you from overeating foods that lack vital nutrients. You will get the desired results if you think of your nutrition as part of a lifestyle change and turn off all the “diet” noise.