I find that I get in trouble with my calories when I don’t plan my food out for the day. Even if I’m choosing healthy foods, it’s so easy to have 50 extra calories here, 70 extra calories there, and so on. Before I know it, I get to dinner and realize I don’t have enough calories left for the rest of the day to remain in my calorie limit.
It’s simply poor planning on my part. When I sketch out my food for the day (before I eat it), I can make adjustments and wiser choices. This allows me to add up my calorie total to make sure I’m within my limit.
Planning not only allows me to control my calories, it allows me to control my food choices. I only have to look at my “menu” for the day to see what I’m to eat for the next meal or snack.
The worst temptation for eating, or mindless eating, is when you’re looking through your cupboards for something to eat. Times when you’re hungry, but you don’t know what you’re going to have. This spells Trouble – with a capital T.
When you plan your healthy meals and snacks, add up the calories to be sure you’re hitting your target, and stick with your plan – SUCCESS.
Stay away from spur-of-the-moment food choices. Avoid impulse eating at all cost! Eat only the things you’ve given thought to. This will save you from eating disaster.
I know it’s work, but you can settle into an eating pattern for Monday through Friday to simplify things. Then mix it up with some different foods on the weekends.
Planning your food is how you succeed at dieting. It’s how you control your calories and your choices. Get a notebook and get started!
