People ask what they “should” eat to lose weight all the time. Less overall calories. There ya go. Now allow me to shine some light on how you can actually DO that, without going insane and obsessing over details and rules.
All “diets” work because they help you eat less calories. They also focus on what you “should” do. If you don’t do what you should, the tendency is to beat yourself up for what you “should’ve” done...
Recently, one of my nutrition clients (who lost a lot of weight on a diet, before gaining it all back) was talking about how she “should’ve” something... Honestly, I don’t even remember the specific thing she was talking about.
She is not on a “diet”. We’re building nutrition habits and a lifestyle that works for her on an individual level. This is also what I help you do on #NutritionTipTuesday, if you haven’t noticed.
I like facts, not opinions. “Should”s are opinions. I also HATE rules, which “should”s also are.
Instead of what you should do, many people find it more fun and freeing to think about what they could do. I also like opportunities and possibilities. They’re fun. “Could”s bring a lot of them into play!
I “could” eat a bell pepper like an apple, I “could” eat a salad with apples on it, I “could” make a greek yogurt parfait. Those are some of my favorite personal examples but you can play that game with any fruits, veggies, or protein sources, based on your taste buds!
In the past tense, “Should’ve”s simply become “didn’t”s. Nothing objectively wrong with that. It’s just what it is. You didn’t have a salad for lunch. Not you "should’ve" had a salad for lunch. You COULD have a salad for lunch tomorrow. Just a fact. An option. You COULD also have a double bacon cheeseburger. It’s up to you do decide.
When deciding, it’s good to again remain objective. How do you think you’d feel if you had the salad? What about the DBCB? If you have goals, would one of them bring you closer to them than the other?
You’re just objectively considering stuff. No judgement. No rules. Just being a grown-up and weighing your options. Becoming aware about your eating habits. (Someone wiser than me once said “awareness precedes change”)
When you think and make decisions from this mindset, you’re the one in control. And you’ll quickly realize you know more about eating “right” (whatever that looks like for you!) than you thought. You’ll also probably realize you can get better at eating “right” faster than you thought, because it’s not driving you crazy like most popular diets do.
Honestly, eating “right” looks so different for everyone, that you will quickly learn more about it than I know... At least in the unique case of YOU! Here’s 7 solid Tips to get you started! Actually- don’t forget all the the other past #NutritionTipTuesday posts either!
Have fun and do your best,
Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach (American Council on Exercise; Precision Nutrition)