Eat Only When You're ACTUALLY Hungry

Hey guys, 

I always hear people say that losing weight and changing your body is only partially about how you workout and exercise. Many point out that it has a lot to do with the way you are eating and what kinds of foods you are putting into your body. I notice, as many probably do, that when you exercise more often you tend to eat healthier or at least try to. When I workout more I want to maintain my progress and not digress so I avoid eating lots of junk and try to eat before it gets late in the night. More than ever, I am now avoiding the urge to eat. I know when I am hungry and try to only eat then and if it happens to be late at night, I keep fruits to snack on. A lot times we eat just because we feel like it and do not pay attention to whether or not we just want something because we smell it or see it vs whether we haven't eaten in 4-5 hours and our stomach is growling uncontrollably. I think mastering the will to eat will increase the overall satisfaction you receive from working out. It would not make sense to make a goal for yourself but continue to carry old eating habits and expect change. I do not avoid eating chips and candy and greasy food but I do try to avoid eating fast-food and indulging in sweets and snacks often. I am trying to eat more well-rounded, increase my protein and fresh fruits and vegetables and cut down on the amount of pasta and rice I eat. 

"As a rule of thumb, weight loss is generally 75 percent diet and 25 percent exercise. An analysis of more than 700 weight loss studies found that people see the biggest short-term results when they eat smart. On average, people who dieted without exercising for 15 weeks lost 23 pounds; the exercisers lost only six over about 21 weeks. It's much easier to cut calories than to burn them off. For example, if you eat a fast-food steak quesadilla, which can pack 500-plus calories, you need to run more than four miles to 'undo' it!"

- Shawn M. Talbott, PhD, nutritional biochemist and former director of the University of Utah Nutrition Clinic

So for the change you want you have to do more than go to the gym 5x a week. You have to motivate yourself to eat better. It doesnt mean you give up all the things you love, just eat smaller portions, try adding in healthier options and slowly transform your diet.

bye