Diet rules suck, and they aren’t sustainable. Ever sign up to work with a coach or a diet plan, and you get the plan to get started? You’re super excited because this time is gonna be different.
You open up the email, and the email is reading back to you a long list of what you can and cannot eat. Mostly the list is what you can’t eat. You don’t mind at first because this is the one, this is the diet that is gonna work.
Your interest peaks, but deep down, you’re like, “Can I really stick to this and is it sustainable?” No…. what! You’ve lost the weight before on different diets several times now, but the weight always comes back, plus some.
You look at the list as you prepare your grocery list to purchase your items for the new plan.
It says:
No Dairy – no Greek yogurt, no yogurt period, but you can have fat free cottage cheese. – ack 🤢
No Starch, except for sweet potatoes
Nothing white
No bread
Only certain veggies
No Fruit – only when I tell you and only low sugar ones such as grapefruit – Why grapefruit? Because it helps you burn fat.
No carbs after 12 because they turn into fat
No meals after 6
No oils- can use “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” – this is stuff is gross. I used to use it during my dieting days – Franken butter. Nothing tastes as good as real butter.
No Sauces except for mustard and watch the amount because of the sodium
Only use Mrs. Dash
No whole eggs, only egg whites
No nuts, only almonds
After reading the list, you like OMG, what the heck can I even eat then – NOTHING according to them. You want to die right there on the spot! AMIRIGHT?!
The list could go on and on. I think you get the picture with the list above.
This list is crazy, right? This was real life for me, and many others on many an occasion.
Diets suck because they create these unrealistic rules and expectations that don’t last but for a hot minute. Then we are staring down at the bottom of whatever food we banned or deemed off limits.
I always say “Diets suck! You know it, and I know it. But we keep doing them. You can literally get off the diet train today. How?
Get off by never doing a diet again. Break all the rules listed above and eat in a way that you can eat for a lifetime. Eat in a way that supports your goals.
Eat foods that make you feel good and eat less of the processed stuff. If you eat more of the nutritious stuff, you won’t have room for all the other things.
Focus on the big rocks to Fat Loss:
1. Nutrition is first and foremost:
You must start here, but it doesn’t begin with a list of rules and don’ts. Your nutrition protocol starts with your likes and dislikes. Following a plan that you can adhere to. Adherence is the driving the factor. If you can’t stick to said diet, it is not sustainable.
Don’t slash your calories super low or subscribe to a 1200 calorie diet.
Do create a caloric deficit. You can create a calorie deficit without counting by eating smaller portions than you normally do.
A good place to start is eating more protein, veggies, fiber, and then you fill in the rest with carbs and or fats. You adjust carbs (starchy) ones to your activity level. More fats when you are eating fewer carbs.
It’s a simple formula to remember. Not rules set in stone. The above formula should be adjusted to your personal preference, not what someone else says.
{Grab my Free Nutrition Blueprint so that I can show you exactly how to set up your own very meal plan!}
2. Lift the things:
Basically, start strength training, if you haven’t already started. Train the big muscle groups with compound movements. Lift heavy! Think squats, pushing and pulling exercises such as push-ups, inverted rows or chin up, lunges, hip dominant exercises such as deadlifts, kettlebell swings, core work, and heavy carries.
I’m sorry to tell you, standing in the mirror curling 5 lb dumbbells will not change your body composition alone. Nothing wrong with single joint exercises, I just had an awesome arm workout the other day. However, it’s important to build a base first before moving on to single joint exercises. Your best use of time is better spent on working with compound movements as mentioned above.
If you really want to do some bicep curls or just arm exercises save them until end of your workout. Another great option is to do them in between sets. Or do curls with walking lunges.
3. Sleep:
It’s more important than you can imagine. Your physique is not responding despite doing everything else well. The culprit could definitely be your lack of sleep. Aim for 7 -8 hours a night if possible. Quality is just as important as the length of time.
4. Stress:
Under and overeating/ overexercising is a form of stress on the body. The body does not discriminate, and it will adjust accordingly, and not in the way you want it to respond.
The key is to manage your stress, whether it’s daily life stuff or the way you are approaching your fitness and nutrition.
5. Move more:
Yes, I know you are killing it in the gym, but are you moving outside of the gym. Are you active after the workout? It can be simple as walking 20 minutes a day. Walks are so good for you! Walking helps to manage stress and walking is low impact, it will help lower the hormone cortisol.
Give up the diets, stop depriving yourself, eat foods that make you feel good. Despite all the crap and the noise in the diet industry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m here to tell you, that there is a better way. Are you ready to try something different? If you are, grab my FREE Nutrition Blueprint here. This Nutrition Blueprint will get you going in the right direction. It’s not a quick fix or list of do’s and don’ts but one that will help you lose fat without losing your mind and muscles. The best thing is the tools will help you enhance your life and not hinder it.
Remember time, patience, and consistency is part of the equation as well!
Grab your Free Nutrition Blueprint here. When you download your copy, head over to the Beauty of Strength Facebook page and let me know you have it! I think you will really like, that is if you are really ready to give up the diet mentality. It’s a work in progress, but you have to trust the process 100%! After all, what do you have to lose?!
Interested in 1 on 1 STRONGER U Fat Loss Coaching? We might be a good fit! Let’s hop on a Free Discovery call! Contact me at candace@candacersmith.com or contact me here.