Throughout these past few years I have learned how to eat in moderation. Macro counting is just that, eating the foods you love within limits.
- You can eat whatever you want, to an extent. I hate when people say I count macros I can eat everything. Yes, you can eat anything, yet you cannot eat everything all at once. Some days I may tell myself you can eat that tomorrow or there is always tomorrow. No big deal. This mind set has really helped me face my fear of food. It has helped me realize I don’t have to
- Pick and choose what you REALLY want. If you take a bite of something and don’t love it, simply don’t eat it. You are not a garbage disposal. You do not have to finish all of your food (or your kids’ food), even if it is the serving size. There are many times I only eat a couple crackers or a handful of popcorn. I rarely eat a large serving of a snack food.
- Take time to really enjoy your food. Don’t just eat to eat. If you don’t want or like something don’t eat it. Simple as that. Never feel as though you must eat what is in front of you, just because everyone else is doing so. Eat on your terms. Macro counting has really taught me how to gauge what’s worth it and what’s not. Macro counting has helped me slow down and focus on my food.
- Sometimes less is better. Such as, 99% of the time I eat my sandwiches, burgers, etc. open faced. This allows me to save carbs and enables me to actually taste my sandwich filling, not just the bread/bun. Once, you start eating this way you won’t go back. You won’t miss the extra piece of bread and you may end up liking it better.
- Even though your macros may enable you to eat junk food all day long, your body will not be able to function at it’s best. My macros are quite high, I could eat junk pretty much all day, but I don’t like the way I feel when I don’t fuel my body well. Typically, I have at least one salad a day and I love fruits and veggies. I crave healthy food. Trust me I have my fair share of treats, but I always feel better when I eat better. Healthy body, healthy mind.
- Allow yourself to take a break. This one I am still working on myself. But, you need to give yourself some days off. I LOVE tracking, for me it keeps me sane and grounded, but I do believe everyone needs to take breaks from tracking every now and again. Macro counting also ensures I am eating enough. I have a tendency to under eat when not tracking. My goal for 2020 is to take one weekend off a month from tracking and eventually take every weekend off. I feel I am in need of the mental break, my perfectionist side has me focused a little too much on hitting my numbers perfectly, 100% of the time. This is my sign that a break is needed, for my mind and body. If what you are doing is stopping you from enjoying your life it’s time reevaluate.
Everytime I read this quote it resonates deep within me. Think about it, live it!