Comments on: How to Eat Healthy Without Feeling Deprived

By: Adam @ turnupmyworkout.com

Adam @ turnupmyworkout.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:32:48 +0000

This is a great article and something I struggled with as I started out on my weight loss journey. I didn’t listen to people when they told me I needed to eat “more” just more of the right things.

When I finally started to do that, I was able to stave off those cravings, although Candy Corn in the fall doesn’t help

By: Weight Ladder

Weight Ladder — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:11:12 +0000

@Sheamus

All I drink is diet soda… (At least when I am drinking soda…)

One of the things I am not supposed to have on my diet (but I cheat on) is caffeine. (I get it almost exclusively through a non fat latte and diet soda.)

By: MizFit

MizFit — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:29:19 +0000

you know I entirely believe in this.
for me if the way I ate required tremendous WILL POWER I couldntwouldnt do it.

(youre the guest poster today—just a reminder)

By: Sheamus

Sheamus — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:20:03 +0000

“Let’s use the example of giving up soda entirely. This is a very easy way to instantly carve off ten pounds or more, but it is very difficult to do. Instead of going cold turkey, start a gradual reduction. Cut back by one soda a day for the first week, then two sodas a day, until you get to the point where you are no longer drinking it.”

Or just switch straight to Diet Soda?

I’ve seen a few times lately suggestions about giving up soda but nobody – not one person – recommends switching to diet sodas. Coke Zero tastes pretty much identical to regular (red) Coke and has about 1.3 calories per can.

I personally don’t have any problems with sugar-free, artificially-sweetened drinks, but I know some people do. But even if that’s the case, surely switching to diet soda makes more sense and is far less of a ‘cold turkey’ move than cutting them out altogether or even weaning yourself off of them? You’ll get the weight loss benefits and, more importantly, not feel like you’re missing out. Psychologically, this is a huge deal. Once your diet starts feeling like a chore – and it has to be for the rest of your life to be succcessful – chances are that you will fail.

The best diet is always one of moderation – I like a ratio of 80/20, where for 80% of the week I’m super-strict (I eat low-GI, which works great for me), and then for the other 20% or so I eat whatever I want. For me, this breaks down to six days of eating clean, and one day – Saturday – of whatever. This way, I never feel like I’m missing out, as I know it’s only six days until my next chocolate chip muffin! However, because 80% of the time my body is getting the good stuff (I also run run every single day as well), I continue to stay in great shape.

As you say, don’t make it too hard, people – this is why most people don’t succeed when it comes to weight loss or control (or even weight gain, if you’re a bodybuilder).

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:01:32 +0000

I actually AM trying to cut out sugar from my diet. This is a personal decision. Sugar tastes really good and gives a temporary buzz, but for me, sugar equals unbalance – both nutritionally and physically.

Yes, the cold turkey doesn’t work with me in regards to sugar – been there, done that with horrible repercussions! Now I’m working on slowly weaning myself of it, like you suggested, in order to avoid that shock to the system.