By Ricky Parcell
FOR MANY the coming weeks are the most wonderful time of the year…but for some all those rich dinners, alcoholic drinks and tasty snacks can leave a hangover that lasts well into the New Year.
The number one way to avoid temptation and pounding on the calories with between-meals snacking is to simply avoid keeping cookies, candies or too much bread in the house. I know I have to be very firm about this because otherwise I would eat them all. So the key number one is: avoid temptation in the first place!
Next up, get out the SMALL plates. I’ve found this is the best way to limit my intake of certain foods that I really enjoy eating. I also make it a priority to change up my meal timing and alter my training routines. I work out daily, eat more greens and drink more water daily. In short, my ‘for life;’ or regular maintenance eating strategy is completely different than my ‘holiday’ restriction strategy.
Self control all begins in the mind, and unfortunately many folks believe they can enforce a restriction strategy anytime they want to. The reality is that it’s very tough to change your every day habits. Yet we always think it is going to be easier than it is. We always map out our restriction and tightening up efforts in our heads in a montage that bears no relation to reality. Most of us fail miserably over and over again at trying to achieve this seemly simple goal – especially at the holidays.
Since this is so hard, try to COMPLETELY remove negative temptation from your life. Find out what’s in the fridge? What’s in the pantry? Ensure that only good temptation is available! If it is not healthy, make sure you earn it with a workout first!
The diet business in America is a multi-billion dollar business and sadly you are the ones who end up fuding these businesses. Rather than fighting a battle for your health, the vast majority of diet plans end up either distracting you from the real issue or implanting damaging psychological behaviors
What is the real issue? Regarding fat loss, the key is and always will be mastering your energy balance. While all foods are not created equal and have different thermic effects, consequences, and benefits – they all have energy. At the end of the day, you are ingesting ‘x’ amount of energy and expending ‘y’ amount of energy. Your ability to master that balance is where your focus MUST be. Don’t get sidetracked by or force-fed poor scientific research that takes you further and further off the trail. Down that road lies only disappointment. Instead, focus on the following simple rules:
Do: Focus on small portions, greens, reduce bread and increase water intake daily
Don’t: Scare yourself into never enjoying foods again
Do: Remember energy balance is the key to your success
Don’t: Forget that every macronutrient has its role and that all foods have different strengths
Do: Enjoy any food you desire in moderation
Don’t: Let moderation become annihilation
Do: Stay true to what makes you feel good inside and out
Don’t: Be fooled by a few “good studies” listed in a sensational blog post
Do: Believe that results should happen at a relatively predictable pace
Don’t: Believe that those results should only show on a scale….body fat is a far better measurement.
Till next time: stay healthy!
Ricky Parcell
Master Coach and CEO of bodyconfidenceclub.com
