BY COACH NADIA POPOVA
When trying to start eating healthy to get healthier and more fit, lose fat, or build muscle, it’s easy to fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking.
Such a mindset inevitably leads to disappointments, feelings of guilt, and frustration when you veer off the course.
To succeed in your wellness and fitness journey, you should accept that there is no such thing as “perfect nutrition” and live guilt-free while aiming to make healthy choices most of the time.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but I have a few tips for you:
- Stop labeling food: You should stop dividing food into “good” or “bad.” In my opinion, it is possible to fit all foods into a healthy diet if you eat them in moderation. Completely eliminating treats, you are more likely to have cravings leading to unplanned cheat meals and binge eating. Without strict restrictions, you’ll be less likely to feel deprived and more likely to stick to your healthy eating plan in the long run.
- Practice Self-Compassion: There is no point in guilt-tripping yourself over occasional slip-ups. One or two “unhealthy” meals or snacks a week won’t derail your progress and beating yourself up will only spoil your attitude towards your fitness journey. Treat yourself as you would treat your friend – with compassion.
- Listen to what your body says: Be attentive to your body cues. It will tell you when it’s hungry, when full. These signals will help you identify real hunger from boredom hunger and stay on track without too much effort.
- Make most of your meals dense in nutrients: To feel full and have energy for longer, aim to make your meals full with nutrient-dense foods, i.e. lean protein-rich foods such as chicken breasts, Greek yogurt, etc., fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, complex carbs such as whole grains, etc.
- Plan and prep: When you have your meals planned or even prepped for a week, you are much more likely to make healthy choices for most of the time as tiredness and any unexpected plan changes won’t interfere with healthy food cooking.
I hope these tips will help you eat healthy without guilt when you indulge yourself with your favorite treats and make healthy choices easier.
Remember that healthy living isn’t about perfection, it’s about moderation and it’s a lifelong process rather than a competition.
If you need help with being accountable to a Coach, Team SMAT is here to help!
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