First and foremost, I just have to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and kind words regarding Speakable - it truly means the world to me! xoxo
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So, I must admit that I left out a key aspect of what I’m trying to focus on during LEAN in 2014.
I didn’t do it intentionally, I guess I just figured it was an understood point of “getting lean.” But with so many diet & fitness trends going on right now, I feel like this concept I’m about to share is almost…well, old school.
Want to know what it is?
AKA an excuse to still eat cupcakes 😉 Just kidding. But not really.
Let me start by clarifying that I’m not saying portion control works for everyone. I know that it doesn’t, and I’m not prescribing what I think anyone else should do. But for me, that’s what I continuously find myself coming back to as the (not so) “secret” to getting lean.
Here’s the thing - I know that other diet plans out there work – probably more quickly (and even more health-wise) than portion control. But personally, I just can’t bring myself to say “no” to any foods. I’m sure I could if I really put my mind to it, but I just don’t want to. And I’m okay with that.
Don’t get me wrong – making sure I incorporate healthy foods into my diet is still really important to me. I want to do my body well!
As much as I want to be lean and healthy, though, living a full life and not feeling deprived of anything is more important to me. And if there’s a way for me to reach certain goals without having to curse bread for the rest of my life, than that’s the way I’m going to take. For me, that’s good old fashioned, nothing fancy, no-frills portion control.
Some of my favorite tips for controlling portions:
* When at a restaurant or takeout – split your meal in half before you start eating it
* Measuring cups. Use them.
* Instead of trying to subtract foods, ADD more healthy ones
* Use smaller bowls and plates
* Eat slowly
* Let yourself eat what you’re craving in a normal amount, instead of going overboard later
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Do you follow any particular dietary guidelines when trying to get lean/be healthy?
What are your thoughts on portion control?
I definitely appreciate that you have portion control as your number one concept! I know that deprivation for me just backfires in the long run, so I’m ok with having sweets whenever I crave them…but I just keep my portions small. I stay healthy and my palate stays happy 😉
I love the idea of adding in more healthy foods. it’s so much easier than subtracting bad foods, but that happens naturally because you’re already filled up on the food things!
good things*
I’m JUST starting to learn how to do this! In general, it’s easiest for me to completely give up a certain food rather than eat a little of it. That’s what I had to do with diet coke - I went cold turkey, and now the cravings are gone! But there are certain things (like pastries/sweet carbs) that I won’t ever give up, so learning to eat those in moderation has gotta happen.
Portion control can be a bit hard for me sometimes because I swear my stomach never notifies me when it is full. I’ve had to teach myself how to control my portions over the years. It’s amazing how using smaller plates and bowls really does make a difference!
Portion control is also my biggest problem! I just started a blog and hope you can check it out out at http://samanthanicoleshane.wordpress.com! I love advice and feedback !
I am the same way, I have been eating mostly paleo for over a year now. I have gone from eating super clean almost 100 percent of the time, to treating myself a lot more- I can say I definitely look healthier but more importantly, feel more happy and normal. Life is too short to say no to sugar all the time
wow, that’s awesome that you were able to stick to Paleo for so long! I never made it more than a week, haha