There’s so much more to eating well than knowing which foods are healthy.
So many people know just what they need to do, they start out making good choices, but in the long run, they just hit more problems. It can always feel as though we’re sabotaging our own best efforts to eat healthy foods.
A couple of things to keep in mind if you keep falling into these traps of self-sabotage:
Even when you are making progress in something new to you, your old thought patterns tend to creep in. This progress is not linear—you are going to hit setbacks occasionally, and any progress you make towards your new lifestyle is still progress worth celebrating.
Something that can help you feel more in control is to plan your indulgences. If you have a big event coming up and you know you’re going to want to “cheat” afterwards, give yourself that permission to celebrate and decide upon what it is instead of feeling guilty or rebellious about it.
The number one skill that doesn’t get enough attention when it comes to dieting is the ability to regroup. Focus on your next meal or snack after your slip up and you’re going to be ahead of the game instead of spiraling into doubt and shame.
Food can also act as a transition between times of our day, and if we’ve picked up habits around eating a certain food at a certain time of day, it can be hard to break out of that. Try to force yourself pattern-breaking routines, such as changing your clothes after work or making yourself a cup of tea and that signals to your brain that something different is happening.
The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to move in a better direction with less frustration. If you can do that, you’re doing things right.
Resources:
- Learn more at foodtrainers.com
- Instagram: @foodtrainers
- Facebook: facebook.com/Foodtrainers
- Twitter: @foodtrainers
- Read: The Little Book of Thin: Foodtrainers Plan-It-to-Lose-It Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma
