Creating Positive Priorities

To Get and Stay Lean

People have heard over and over again that we need to “eat fewer calories” to lose weight. This is true, however, eating less of your previous diet is pure torture for most. We’ve all heard the expression “avoid junk food” or “avoid carbs” or “avoid added fats” but is having this mindset really sustainable long-term?

In many ways, this makes us want junk food, carbs, added fats, or insert your favorite boogeyman food even more. We seem to want what we can’t have. So rather than trying to “avoid” certain foods, you should prioritize better choices.

It is generally accepted that increasing the protein percentage of your diet (by prioritizing protein-rich foods) or eating more low-energy-dense fruits and vegetables leads to a spontaneous reduction in caloric intake. So if we create a habit of prioritizing a combination of protein-rich foods and fiber-rich lower energy density filling foods we will spontaneously eat fewer calories and lose weight without having to carry around the mental baggage of avoiding these boogeyman foods.

For example, instead of avoiding the pastry and milkshake coffee for breakfast, prioritize having eggs, vegetables, and black coffee.

For lunch, instead of avoiding buttery pasta with meatballs, prioritize lean steak and a big salad.

For dinner, instead of avoiding hot dogs, burgers, and fries, prioritize a big salad, chicken, and cottage cheese.

For dessert, instead of avoiding ice cream and cereal, prioritize lower-fat Greek yogurt, berries, and lower-fat version popcorn.

Once you start prioritizing certain foods, you’ll most likely eat fewer calories and lose weight (potentially a lot of it) due to the filling effects of protein, fiber, and having a lower energy density diet.

Instead of “avoiding certain foods”

Try Prioritizing protein-rich and fiber-rich foods,

John

*As a small side note, I believe this sort of mindset is beneficial in all aspects of life. If you want to be better in a certain area of life prioritize positive things as opposed to avoid negative boogeyman things.