Diet is the biggest component to losing fat and yet for most people, it's the hardest part to get right. If you burn 600 calories in a workout, you can easily eat twice that amount of calories back in just one junk food binge. As the saying goes, "you can't out-train a bad diet." There is no 'one size fits all' approach when it comes to diet. I believe that having everything in moderation is the most sustainable way to eat but lets face it, it's not always that simple. If you feel good, if you have energy and if you are happy with your body, then that's awesome! Keep doing what you're doing because it's obviously working for you. But if you are one of those people that tries and tries to 'stick to' a healthy diet but just can't shake those sugar cravings, then here are 5 simple steps that might help you help yourself.
Eat real, whole foods that you actually enjoy. Okay I know that carrots have carbohydrates and bananas are high in fructose but they are whole, natural foods that our bodies love to eat! If you are forcing down brussel sprouts and celery sticks because you know that they are low in calories then you won't be satisfied and you won't be able to stick to it long term. Fact. Choose the whole foods that you actually like to eat! I love berries so eating a punnet of strawberries is actually really appealing to me and I enjoy it almost as much as a cupcake... almost.
Don't go cold turkey. Some trainers like the zero to thirty approach and it does work... for a while. If you go from eating Maccas twice a week to 100g portions of steamed chicken every meal, yes you will lose weight quickly but no you won't keep it off. Start gradually and when you are feeling better and seeing some changes, you will be more inclined to make even better choices and eventually your diet will not only make you look good, but it will make you feel good as well. The chances of you sticking to it are also much greater because you have built a diet that works for you!
Plan ahead for the bumps in the road. So you have a weekend away with the girls this weekend? Awesome! I hope you drink your bodyweight in wine and have an amazing time because how often do you get a weekend away from hubby and the kids? So Saturday and Sunday won't be great... who cares? You can make Monday to Friday awesome and then relax on the weekend. It's ok to have fun and let yourself go a bit but that doesn't mean the whole week has to be a write off. Do some extra training sessions during the week and be strict on your diet to make up for the extra calories on your trip away.
Have an accountability buddy. My clients are accountable to me every week. I ask them to bring in a food diary and if they don't, they hear about it. It's not so I can name and shame them but it's for accountability because when you know someone is watching, you tend to make better choices. Plus writing down how many glasses of wine you have in a week and then looking over it can be a real eye opener. I had how many bottles?
Cheat and don't feel guilty! My personal favourite. If I have learnt anything from my years of being a dancer and then a Personal Trainer, it's ok to be naughty sometimes. Thats what life is about!! I eat healthy during the week because it makes me feel good, it gives me energy and it fuels my body for training but trust me, pizza and wine are two of my favourite things and I would never give them up long term. It's important to rid yourself of the mindset that 'cheating' one day means the whole week isn't worth worrying about. Food isn't the enemy, it's how we look at food that is what holds us back.
If you are looking for help in getting your nutrition on track then contact me today and make a positive change for yourself. If not now, then when?
Here's to a Happy and Healthy you :-)
Alyssa x