Can't seem to stop cheating on your diet? The following tips can help you make real, lasting changes that will help you see and feel the results you've been working toward.
- Take out temptation: If you can't seem to say no to junk food when it's lurking in your cabinets, simply take it out of your house. Make your kitchen a safe space.
- Don't overdo what's good for you: Overeating healthy foods defeats the purpose of keeping them on hand. Always keep portions in check — even with good-for-you foods.
- Plan ahead: There is room for indulgence on a healthy diet! When you have a special date on the horizon, eat clean for the days leading up to the event, and schedule a workout for the next day.
- Check in with your breath: Take three deep breaths before eating anything. This tip will help you enter meals with a calmer, more relaxed mind that can prevent you from eating more than you anticipated.
- Eat at home: Sure, it is possible to eat healthy at a restaurant, but it can be hard to say no to those big calorie bombs [1] on the menu! Preparing your own meals at home is the best bet to keep your calories and ingredients in check.
- Skip happy hour: When there's booze in your system, you're less likely to say no to sliders or french fries on the table. Refraining from alcohol helps you make smart, well-thought-out food choices.
- Bring your lunch: Save yourself time, money, and temptation by packing up your own healthy homemade lunch [2] instead of falling victim to fast food.
- Find awareness: Do you always eat when you're stressed? Angry? Being aware of your mental state before you eat will help you get real about what lurking issues you have with emotional overeating.
- Sit down: All that mindless snacking out of the pantry or fridge adds up! Sit down whenever you eat to make sure you're taking stock of what's going into your body.
- Designate mealtime: Delineating a special time every day just for eating will allow you to be more mindful of what you put in your body. Turn off your electronics and focus on your plate.
- Wait for 10: Eat half your portion, drop the fork, and take a 10-minute break before thinking about another bite. You'll find that you're satisfied from less food than you realize.
- Write it down: Can't figure out when you're cheating? Keep a food journal of everything you eat a day for at least one week. You'll see where unnecessary snacking or minimeals are sneaking their way into your diet.
- Practice self-compassion: After a diet slipup, be kind to yourself. When it comes to a lifestyle change, self-compassion works for the long haul!