When I was reducing weight back in 2005 I can remember talking to a lady who I worked with who had lost about 3 stone, she told me the key to staying slim was to treat 'food as fuel', in other words stop eating food because it tastes nice and just eat food for the calories it gives you.
I remember thinking it sounds logical and all I needed to do was stop 'liking the taste' of food and just eat 2500 calories a day and then I was sorted.
But now I don't diet anymore and haven't for over four years the key for me is to have absolutely no restrictions, I don't treat food like fuel! I eat what I want to eat based on what I enjoy. Food does taste nice, it is a sociable act to go out for meals, and nice food makes you feel good and therefore I like eating!
Yes I like food! I enjoy food! In fact I enjoy food a lot more now than I ever did when I was big, I now go for quality over quantity and spend time now trying new tastes, new recipes and really exploring how nice food can be without feeling the need anymore to demolish platefuls every day.
Moderation is the key, but you have an allowance of calories a day that you can eat so I choose to pick foods which I like, are healthy and good for me and I can afford, I would never choose food solely based on it's calorific content otherwise you are going to feel restricted, sure I know that a plateful of broccoli is low in fat and calories but I choose to have some broccoli with some lasagna next to it as it is much more balanced and tastes better!
Food may be fuel but it also tastes yummy and alongside friends & family can make experiences and life moments so never try and just treat it like petrol as it tastes and smells so much nicer!
