Here is the truth… weight Loss is more of a mindset and lifestyle change rather than changes in diet. Sure fad diets and restrictive eating patterns might work for a short period of time, but they do not fix the root of the problem. You.

People often think they need a meal plan to help them loose weight. A rigid plan that spells our what to eat and how much. Most people do not realise that they actually eat really well most of the time and they already have a bunch of habits that just need some fine tuning. So where do people go wrong when they become frustrated by the lack of progress.

Our life situation and lifestyle is often reflective of the food choices we make. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?

• If you live a high stressed life, you will probably find yourself grabbing convienent food because you perceive yourself to have little time to organise an alternative.
• If you are social and go out drinking, you will probably eat significantly more than a person who does not drink.
• If you are a mum with young children, you might be sleep deprived and find yourself topping up on caffeine and carbs to get yourself through the day.
• If you have low self esteem, you will fill your body with junk because you do not have the respect for the amazing things it is capable of doing.

Healing your relationship with yourself is the first step to healthy eating. The steps outlined below having nothing to do with what to eat, but the around the circumstances around eating itself.

1. Know When You’re at Your Weakest

Do you ever get the feeling that ‘it’s all just a little bit of history repeating’, when it comes to your downfall around food? Is it the office party’s where you loose control, or late night snacks? Focus just on this event and put in place a strategy to help you work around it.

2. Avoid Multitasking During Meals

Take time to sit and eat. Only eat. Nothing else. Before you start eating, take 5 deep breathes and give thanks for the nourishing food you are about to eat. This will help stop you from overeating and recognise how certain foods effect your body.

3. Plan Ahead

Take the time at the start of each week to brainstorm your food plan for the week. Ensure that there is protein at every meal, a good balance of healthy fats and wholesome carbohydrates. Do not forget to plan your snacks too, but remember that your snacks should be just that. Small portions of food. If you know that you have an issue of controlling yourself around snack time, consider adding in an extra meal instead or beef up your main meals. Get creative in the planning phase by looking up new recipes and cooking seasonal produce. Heading to your local farmers markets is a great way to get inspired by local produce. Ceres in Brunswick, actually home deliveries your very own box of seasonal produce- what could be more inspiring or easier than this?

Summary

So before, you get ready to change your whole lifestyle, looking at the small, important things you could do more consistently. Healing your relationship with food, with be the most liberating way to ensure you are on the path to sustainable, long-term results.

For more tips on how to eat intuitively, check our this blog post.