This week we’re joined by Justine Hawke, Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Nutritionist and published author with over 20 years experience in the field. Justine shares the strategies that she gives her patients for staying on track with your weight loss goals.
Strategy 1; Only eat foods you enjoy
There is no need to include foods that you don’t enjoy, just because you think they are healthy. Foods such as tuna, cottage cheese, chickpeas, and kale, are great if you love them, but if not, you don’t have to eat them. There are so many foods available to us, that managing your weight is possible whilst eating healthy foods you enjoy.
Strategy 2; Avoid hunger
Hunger is one of the biggest triggers for overeating and poor food choices as it lowers our resolve. It is essential you include adequate portions and a balance of nutrients that satisfy you, and that you eat regularly enough to avoid feeling too hungry. If you are physically hungry between your core meals, it is appropriate and beneficial to include a planned, portioned snack.
Strategy 3; Allow indulgences
Eliminating your favourite foods and feeling deprived is another trigger for going off track with your goals. As much as we can try, deprivation will generally cause us to rebel. As one of my clients explained, her ‘power move’ is to include small portions of indulgent foods she loves regularly to help stay on track. No food is taboo, it is the portion size and how often it is included that matters.
Strategy 4; Be patient and consistent
Change takes time. It is essential to give any lifestyle changes you make time to yield results. Avoid the temptation of jumping from fad to fad, or giving up when you don’t see immediate results. Make changes one or two at a time, allow them to become a habit and then layer in the next change so it feels more effortless and achievable.
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