There was recently a question over at the Muscle & Fitness Hers boards that I thought was especially relavant as we move past the holidays and into contest season. One of the women was asking for tips about how to avoid the super sized box of Oreos her dad would bring home. Below is my response:
I know how tough it can be to eat clean when there is junk food around. I have a 6 yr old little boy that eats clean in general, but that I also allow to have regular kid foods - like cereal and pb&j's. Even in my toughest contest prep, I don't think it is right to deprive him. So, there they sit in my pantry, just taunting me I do have a few things that help me out though -
1 - I keep as much real junk out of my house as possible. High fiber cereal and natural peanut butter is one thing, tubs of cookie dough ice cream are another. Find a balance for your whole family where they can eat great food that is not total junk. You will be less tempted too. This is tough when other people are the ones bringing it in, but a good general rule.
2 - Find healthy alternatives that you like as much or more than the 'bad' foods and keep them readily available. I love chocolate chip cookies, but I can almost always reason with myself that if I avoid the cookies, I can have a protein brownie or an extra serving of protein waffles instead. That has been a lifesaver for me.
3 - Eat 5-6 times a day and include protein in each meal. That should keep you from getting so hungry that you have no willpower left.
4 - Be sure you are drinking enough water. When you are dehydrated, you tend to feel more hungry.
5 - Along the same lines as 2, I will often tell myself that I can eat the cookie, but it means an extra cardio session. The thought of more cardio is enough to make me toss the cookie.
6 - When all else fails, allow yourself a few cookies - BUT only AFTER you have eaten a full serving of vegetables and a big glass of water. Not only will you eat less cookies because you are not so hungry, but it will give you the time to consider if the cookies are really worth it : )
Good Luck!
Julie
www.JulieLohre.com
Thursday, January 08, 2009
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1 comments:
It's always good to know others have the same struggles and have succeeded!!!! I did not know until I started my "contest prep" that I could even resist when my husband was eating bad things. I have learned that I DO have the willpower to resist. Though, at our house, with no kids, I can make the rule that if he has something bad he has to hide it from me! He does! I do get my Saturday Cheat food early in the week, though, and I look at it every day and I can't wait for Saturday to eat it!!! This whole experience is one of real personal discovery. It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it. Thanks for inspiring!!!!
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