If a “diet” ever has you completely restricting yourself from treats, you know it is not going to work out in the long haul.

Here is what moderation means to me:

• I plan my meals in advance to have the healthiest options possible at all times.
• I plan to enjoy 2 treats per week, and I really enjoy and savor those.
• I plan my treats to enjoy with friends or as part of a social outing.
• If something comes up that would throw me off track, I make the best decisions possible with the food options given to me. And I don’t worry if it’s not perfect.
• I understand all foods are just fine to eat, but some serve my body better, while others bring me no value. It is a conscious choice I make when I choose those unhealthier foods occasionally. I don’t beat myself up over it.
• I exercise at least 5 days a week. I don’t kill myself with my workouts. I only workout 30-45 minutes each time.

80/20 Rule
Let’s say you eat 4 times a day. That is 28 times a week you are eating food.
Following the 80/20 rule, about 22 times you eat will be prefectly clean, healthy and nutritious foods.
6 times you eat- may not be the best thing ever. These 6 times are when you eat your kids extra PB&J that wasn’t on your plan, you have a handful of tortilla chips, etc.

Think of that. Following the 80/20 rule is TOTALLY do-able, manageable, HEALTHY!
And there is NO need to beat yourself up over having something that isn’t 100% “healthy” all the time.

When we restrict ourselves completely, we are setting ourself up for binges & failure later on.

 

Cheat Meals
I personally don’t believe in “Cheat meals” or “Cheat days.”

CHEATING implies something bad, illegal, something you get in trouble for doing. THat isn’t how I believe food should be thought of.  I believe in TREATING yourself. Plan our 2 treats per week! Like I said above ^^ I plan 2 treats per week! When i enjoy those treats, I’m not eating the WHOLE pizza (like i might have in my college days 😉 ) , but I’m having pizza, or Im having a small serving of real ice cream. I usually plan them so I am out with a friend, at a special event, special treat with my hubby or something like that!

I just want you to know, no one eats 100% clean all the time. You aren’t expected to either!

How does this fit with what you believe? Are you too hard on yourself? Or do you give yourself too many excuses?

What does “MODERATION” in terms of your nutrition mean to you?