I love watching the Olympics watching athletics accomplish dreams that took hours, days, weeks, months even years to train for. Gold doesn’t just take skill, hard work and dedication to master every techniques and routine. But I habits were formed as well to make it to the Olympics. That’s how we have to be in our lives. Now be honest while watching these Olympic Games how many times have you sat down and ate literally a whole bowl of popcorn or chips? Don’t remember or didn’t notice. Next time pay attention. This is called MINDLESS EATING is a habit that can sabotage any diet and cause weight gain. I’m here to help you break these habits and lead you to a successful healthy lifestyle. The majority of the time people are not aware of how much they’re eating. Sometimes we eat not because we’re hunger but because of stress, anxiety, depression and frustration. You have to pay attention to your environment and inner self every time you eat. Below are 10 helpful tips to keep you from mindless eating.
1. Don’t get distracted- It’s not a good idea to eat while watching tv, reading, or driving in the car.
2. Know your weaknesses and what causes you to eat when you are not hungry. (parties or studying at a coffee shop) These environments are usually loaded with high calorie snacks and desserts.
3. Know your senses and know when you are full. (pay attention to the texture, the aroma, and taste of the food)
4. Measure- Don’t eat out of a bag pour yourself a serving.
5. Eat Slow, and CHEW your food. Use chopsticks if you have to.
6. Delay- Ask yourself are you hungry, why am I eating? How are you feeling emotionally (Happy, sad, worried, stressed etc.) Pause for 5 minutes do an activity to distract you and get you relax you in you in another way. At the end of those 5 minutes ask yourself if yourself again if you are hungry.
7. Signals that you are hungry (low energy, rumbling of the stomach, and weakness) Ask yourself if you need a meal or snack
8. Keep a food journal- Most of the time you’ll feel guilty if you have to put a whole bag of chips down as your meal.
9. Don’t shop when you are hungry ( you’ll find yourself buying every product that was demonstrated and a pantry full of junk)
10. Never let food or Alcohol be a reward for losing weight (instead buy a new pair of shoes, or gadget.
