On Monday we covered TRAINING tips.
Today, we’ll cover some key reminders to help you steer your DIET in the right direction.
Let’s cover some key reminders to help you steer your DIET in the right direction.
1. Keep A Food Log.
This is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Everyone should keep a food journal of SOME kind.
If your phone runs your life, it can be an app like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer. But my preference, especially at the beginning, is just a plain old 99-cent notebook.
Cause with the notebook, you don’t even have to note calories or macros —just what you ate and WHEN.
(BONUS points for looping back later and noting how that food made you feel.)
This simple practice will reveal telling insights about your food sources AND what you choose to eat when you’re stressed, tired, at work, winding down, etc.
2. Eat Mindfully.
You never want to eat in front of the TV. Period.
Unless you’re trying to gain weight. Then it’s a great idea.
Also avoid eating when you’re tired, stressed, or right before bed. Nobody steams broccoli at midnight in their underwear.
3. Focus on Natural Foods.
Author and management thinker Peter Drucker once said, “What gets measured gets managed.”
Unfortunately, the focus of the modern food industry has shifted heavily towards measuring (and valuing) profit margins over the nutritional impact of food on our health and well-being.
And ultra-processed foods are intentionally hyper-palatable.
Worse, they’re often designed to push your evolutionary buttons and keep you eating more. Just add a couch and hours of “must-see” TV every day and it’s hello, obesity.
Bottom line: A diet of substantially (think 80%+) whole foods is more healthful and satiating.
Plus, your appetite and hunger cues will be MUCH more accurate than if you opt for Pop-tarts and Pepsi for lunch.
– Coach Bryan