07/16/2017
***Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Food While Dieting***
As much as our physiques transform throughout a fat loss phase or contest prep, I think it's equally important to continually strive to improve your mental approach to dieting and coping with the various stressors we face. An area that many competitors, myself included, could improve in, is their mental approach to food. With many people currently in the heart of contest prep, or in the midst of a dedicated fat loss phase with your health and an improved appearance as the goal, I this post could be helpful to a lot of us.
As great as flexible dieting is (or tracking your macros, and being able to eat a wide variety of foods to reach those macro targets is), it is very easy to become overly food focused. Think about it: with flexible dieting, the possibilities for meals and food combinations that you can come up with to hit your numbers is literally endless, and you can make some delicious creations! Combine that with the increased hunger that you are inevitably going to experience during a fat loss phase, and it is very easy to become too focused on food.
Something I see some competitors and weight loss seekers fall into is pouring way too much time and energy into crafting every meal into a delicious, fancy creation. While it is fun and tasty to enjoy these meals, remember: everything in moderation. If you enjoy a grilled chicken breast and a baked potato as a staple meal, keep eating that as a regular meal! Just the same, there's nothing wrong with eggs and oatmeal being your standard breakfast; don't feel like you have to try to be creative and make every meal a gourmet experience.
I always recommend to clients that they hold off until at least midway through the diet before they spend too much time trying to make new protein pancakes, cauliflower pizza, "protein fluff ice cream," etc. These are all great treats, but I don't think it's mentally healthy to pour so much energy into every single meal that it becomes your primary focus. If you are spending an hour each day looking at pictures of food on IG, searching for new low carb recipes, etc, I guarantee that you are not being as productive as you could be in some other area of your life. Trust me, I've been there! Just choose a meal that you enjoy, that hits your numbers, and go about your day.
It is easy to start putting food on a pedestal, and thinking that food will make you happy, or "if only I could eat that pizza and donuts." Coming from a guy who loves pizza and donuts as much as anybody, it really isn't every as good as we expect it to be.
When you are eating a meal with your family, and can't eat the exact foods that they are eating, don't stress about the food or feel sorry for yourself. Make the mealtime about quality time with the people you love, not about the food, and you will feel much more relaxed and happier in both your family life and your fitness pursuits. Have a great Sunday everyone!
