I tell my clients to eat anything they want 10% of the time. It’s known as Joy Eating. It’s eating for taste, fun and pleasure.
Most diets “fail” because we give up. We get sick of feeling deprived. We’re hungry. We’re cranky. We want to go back to the way things were. Before there were rules.
Can you see the dilemma here?
We’ve convinced ourselves that the only way to lose weight is through starvation, deprivation and/or punishment. Is it any wonder we don’t stick to our diets?
We read diet book after diet book until we find a shiny new set of rules. We think, this is the diet that’s going to work!
That’s a lie. Stopping telling yourself lies.
It’s just the same old diet philosophy with a new name, wrapped up in a pretty new cover and sprinkled with fairy dust.
This cover above kills me. Only two steps to keep the weight off forever. Such brilliant marketing.
Losing weight shouldn’t feel like punishment – under any circumstances. But that’s exactly what we do to ourselves. Recall for a moment, the many conversations you’ve had with yourself leading up to and during a diet.
- I’m disgusting, look at all this weight I’ve gained.
- I’m just lazy.
- How did this happen?
- I let myself go.
- What’s wrong with me?
- I’ll never lose this weight.
What you’re really telling yourself is this – I’m bad and I deserve to be punished. Ouch!
My very first action with new clients is to help them clean up their thinking regarding the weight loss process. It’s the key to success. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it’s absolutely possible. Especially with the help of an awesome and supportive coach who’s been down that road. LOL!
When my own clothes start to feel a little snug and I know it’s time to drop a few pounds, I coach myself in the same way I coach my clients. I take the time necessary to clean up my thoughts until I’m excited to start my own weight loss journey.
- I’ve got this.
- Bring it.
- This will be fun. (yes, fun)
- I wonder what will happen.
- I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be right now.
I’m currently on this journey. The past 6 months have been a bit crazy ’round here. That’s life. We have ups and downs. I had foot surgery at the end of October and wasn’t released to full activity until mid-January. Once I was back on my feet, I had to get my personal training business up and running again. At the same time, I was whipping my body back into shape (holy muscle atrophy).
A month or so later, I immersed myself in one of the most intense coaching certification programs out there. It made college seem like a piece of cake.
After completing the program, I worked diligently to meet all of the requirements for full certification. Currently, I’m smack dab in the middle of reading, writing, marketing, revamping and creating in order to deliver the best weight loss coaching program known to man (or woman). I’m having a blast!
So what’s the deal with title of this post?
On Monday, I began a three week clean eating regimen. No sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol and no white flour.
SAY WHAT!?
Robyn, didn’t you just write all about the evils of deprivation diets?
Absolutely! But if you can embark on an eating adventure from a place of self-love and excitement, it’s all good.
Here’s the deal. I haven’t gained a bunch of weight, very little in fact. I’m not eating donuts and Doritos by the truck load. What I did notice, was that I was turning to my favorite joy foods more often. Coffee was replacing water, my chocolate consumption was on the rise and my old nemesis, Diet Coke found it’s way back into my life – like a toxic ex-boyfriend.
I decided to stop the train and get off before too much damage was done.
It’s currently day three of my “detox” and I feel great. Not a deprived bone in my body. There is chocolate AND Diet Coke in my house. The hubby loves the stuff. But he can drink a glass and he’s good. Not this chick. Once upon a time, I could stack cans of Diet Coke into a pyramid over the course of a day.
So, what’s the lesson here?
It’s all about your attitude. If you start off a weight loss journey kicking and screaming it will never work out long term. You will gain it back. I promise.
You’ve got to get your head straight first. Clear out the cobwebs, old programming and negative thinking. It’s why diets fail. Your mind is still all ugly and negative.
That’s why I love weight loss coaching. I help women change the old, worn out tape that’s been running in their minds along with providing the knowledge and tools to lose the weight and keep it off for good.
With a little practice, you too can get excited about three weeks without coffee or chocolate. Okay, LOTS of practice. For now, keep on eating those joy foods 10% of the time.
*I want to say thank you to the brilliant and beautiful women who embarked on the Weight Loss Coaching Certification journey with me. The bond we’ve formed is the greatest and most unexpected gift of this entire process. Women need the support of other women. I know this now. I was inspired to create a private forum for my clients as a result of my experience. A positive place to turn to if they need advice or a virtual “hug”. A place where women can share with and support one another. Stay tuned for a blog post on this topic. And big hugs to my fellow hellcat ninja sisters. I love you. XOXO