3 Common Ways That Food Rules Sabotage Your Weight Loss

Food rules and nutrition guidelines- we want them and *need* them because without them we can’t know how to eat to control our weight.  Right?  I’m not so sure.

Here’s the thing about food rules- they can either be beneficial guidelines that simplify your nutrition approach or a prison cell from which you desperately wish to escape.

THE PROBLEM WITH FOOD RULES

Most food rules and nutrition guidelines focus on what you need to AVOID.
When you are intently focused on something, even if it is what you want to avoid, you end up wanting it even more.

Some food rules are complex and impractical for someone who doesn’t earn a living by being in shape.

If I can only have fruit but not high sugar fruit and I am free to have carbs on workout days, first thing in the morning, OR if and only if I have just worked out, I will inevitably spend all of my time figuring out what to eat and when or give up altogether. #AintNobodyGotTimeForTHAT

TRUE STORY: I remember following a nutrition plan that mandated that I eat my starches at certain times namely with my post-workout meal.  I was no longer competing and my business was growing (meaning my day no longer revolved around my workout and meal schedule) and I would be DOWNRIGHT STRESSED if I needed to change my workout time because what in the world was I supposed to do for a meal?  I couldn’t possibly eat the starch BEFORE the workout right?  In case it didn’t come across in my tone- let me just say that is NOT SUSTAINABLE.

Many food rules make assumptions about your lifestyle that may not apply to *you*.
Ever heard that you shouldn’t eat after 7pm?  Ever wonder why?  Well that rule is based on the idea that you should stop eating a certain number of hours before you sleep to allow for optimal hormonal resetting and fat burning that occurs when you sleep.  But what if you are a night owl who regularly sleeps from 12 am – 8am?  Do you really need to contest with a growling stomach for 5 hours before you sleep?  Probably not.

SO IF I HAVE NO RULES, WHAT DO I DO?
Wait wait wait.  I didn’t say that there aren’t any practical and beneficial guidelines for weight loss.  Not so fast.  Remember I said that food rules *could* simplify your nutrition approach rather than imprison you.

How To Get Right On Food Rules…

#1: Determine what you want to focus on consuming rather than what you want to avoid.

Now there will be many opinions on how much of what you need but most experts agree that a diet that includes optimal protein, fiber from vegetables, and water is ideal for weight loss AND controlling hunger and cravings.  Focus daily on including those things as much as possible.

#2: Know what has the potential to sabotage your results.

Everyone’s personal tolerance to starch, sugar, and dietary fats is different but know that each of these things have the potential to be overdone and thereby sabotage your results.  Figuring out your personal optimal levels of each takes a little experimentation.  However one helpful tip is that the more starch and sugar you eat, the less fat you need and vice versa.

#3: Don’t ban ANYTHING- NOT ONE THING.

The minute you decide that something is completely and totally off limits forever and ever- amen is the minute you have set a trap for yourself.  Remember I said that when you focus on something- even for purposes of avoidance, it becomes more appealing.  Just because something isn’t figure friendly doesn’t mean you will never eat it so know which things don’t suit your goal and when you choose to indulge anyway, keep the portions small, the guilt non-existent, and the journey moving forward.

Now I want to hear from you?  What are some of the food rules that you have found beneficial?  Which ones drive you crazy?