It is that time of year when everyone is making goals, new year’s resolutions and working out what ‘plan’ they are going to stick to. Well, the New Year’s Resolutions might have already been and gone!
Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge advocate of goals, I think they are a great way to focus the mind and get everyone moving in a direction that they want to be moving in.
BUT what I do believe that we need to alter is our language surrounding these goals, which consequently effects our psychology.
The very basic form of this is – when you are told not to touch something, every last part of you fights the urge not to touch it. If a button didn’t have a sign on it, you would have just walked straight past however because it has a sign to say do not touch, your brain immediately sparks curiosity.
Now transfer this to nutrition for example or going to the gym. “You must stick to this”, “You can’t eat this”, you are already thinking about running in the opposite direction!
We need to alter our language with how we approach movements within our fat loss journey.
For the purpose of this blog I am going to specifically focus on nutrition as this is a weak spot for so many (naturally so, the industry is so confusing, not to mention the amazing marketing campaigns out there to make you believe you need those ‘ fat burning products’).
When looking at starting your fat loss journey, it’s important to understand that you already have a diet, it potentially just isn’t working out the best for you at the moment.
So instead of worrying about what diet plan you ‘need to stick to’ or what meal plan you ‘must follow’ focus on YOU. Your current eating habits, your triggers, the foods and drinks that you tend to overindulge in, where you eat out, the frequency of your meals, the foods you tend to go for ect.
REMEMBER – FAT LOSS = ENERGY DEFICIT
Yes some people like to be guided and follow a plan but the issue I have with this is you always feel that you are sticking to something. If you don’t stick to it, you feel that you have failed. Failure is not a thing here, the process is never linear but it’s never about success or failure, it’s a journey.
How about working on improving your current diet. It’s about playing it smart and managing your current diet so your habits can lead to be serving you as best as possible.
You are human, you may well want a biscuit, you may want a glass of wine. Instead of constantly fighting with yourself each time you fancy one to stop eating it, cut your calories the day before to allow for that or perhaps have a little less than you have previously.
It’s not about going from 10 to 1, it’s about going to 10 to 9, then 8 ect. Small, sustainable, MANAGEABLE steppingstones for you.
You are also an adult. You don’t need to restrict yourself like a child. If you try and stick to a plan it’s highly unlikely it will suit you, your lifestyle or your journey.
Focus on you, what you already have and making improvements. This way you can lose fat and still enjoy the things you enjoy most.
Less of ‘can’t have, shouldn’t have, naughty foods, bad foods’.
REMEMBER – FAT LOSS = ENERGY DEFICIT
Start by focusing on improving your protein intake, get a good balance of veggies and don’t forget the underrated underdog fibre!
If you know that you always have two biscuits with your tea on your work break, start with lessening that to one biscuit. Even from that one biscuit you could save yourself up to 500 calories over the working week!
It doesn’t need to be drastic changes, it must suit you and your life and be kind to yourself. This process isn’t a punishment, it’s a journey and should be enjoyed because you are working towards a healthier happier you.