Changing the Way You Think About Food

Something I hae to constantly work on is my mindset towards food. I have to constantly remind myself of my goals and make sure my diet (both bulking and losing weight) matches that goal. Here are a few statements that have helped me frame my mindset:

Food is fuel. Food is to be enjoyed. Food is not a reward. There is no such thing as good vs. bad. There are only choices based on outcomes I desire.

Sometimes it can be easy to get in the mindset of "I have been good so I deserve to overeat today." Getting into the mindset of being good vs. bad puts a moral stance on food. Instead, what if you changed your mindset to look at what you do day in and day out as normal life? It's not good or bad to hit your calorie goal. It is just what you do. It is a choice you make to live a healthier, more accountable lifestyle. It is your new normal. Occasionally, going over your calorie/macro goals will happen. However, I challenge you to shift your mindset to start finding ways to enjoy yourself within your limits. That is the beauty of flexible dieting! Enjoying foods you love while still making progress.

Rewarding yourself by overeating insinuates you did something that wasn't enjoyable which in the long run shows that what you are doing and the way you are thinking is not sustainable. That being said, should you choose to enjoy a few more calories and go over your calorie budget, begin to shift your mindset towards it being a choice. Not a reward. Look at your goals and progress, and weigh it against the temporary enjoyment you will get from overeating. Is it worth it? If so, then fine. Often times I find that when I take the time to reanalyze my goals extra food no longer looks appetizing.

Changing the way you think about food is hands down one of the toughest things to change. However, once you can change the way you think your actions will follow.