subject: I Dont Eat That Much! [print this page] Have you ever wondered why youre having trouble controlling your weight? Your fitness plans are going great and you have
your diet under control, but all is not right. Eating is in our nature. We must eat in order to survive. But, it is something we
have to be able to control. Unfortunately, we dont always control it as well as we think we do.
The trick to controlling your diet is becoming aware of the nature of eating. Food is there, so we think we have to eat. This
happens all the time, but just because theres a bowl of chips on the counter doesnt mean that you have to munch on them.
Take into account what youre eating
Control isnt the only preventative measure you must take in controlling your eating habits. Awareness plays a big part in
your diet. You can eat a small amount, but still consume your daily calorie limit in a single sitting. Become aware of what
foods contain particular nutrients, vitamins, and calories by understanding and reading labels and nutritional data.
Particular foods may not be your problem though. You may be underestimating how much youre eating as well. Keep in
mind that containers dont always contain a single serving. This is why its so important to read labels thoroughly. Many food
products will advertise their daily values in multiple servings. This means that you might be consuming a can of your favorite
fruit cocktail that you thought only had 32 grams of sugar, but which actually has 64 grams total in the can if there are two
servings in a single can. Be aware of what youre actually putting into your body by being aware of what youre eating.
Watch out for tasty situations
Of course, the next step is resisting temptation. Keep a few of these particular situations off of your agenda if you have
difficulty resisting the urge.
First of all, avoid places that offer excessive food, such as restaurants. This would include the ultimate source of food stuffs-
the buffet. These locations might allow you to get your moneys worth, but they can leave you feeling obligated to continue
eating until you feel full (which usually means that youve packed too much in).
Another location that often leads to eating a little too much is a party. These can definitely be fun, but they usually result
in excessive eating and drinking, which is generally their purpose. Beware of finger foods even though they are in small portions, they can be easily picked up and eaten throughout the course of the event.
A habit that many people have is snack time. This happens throughout the day, often in front of the television or any of those
in-between times. Eating when we are preoccupied with work or entertainment often results in our inability to register how
much weve actually eaten. This becomes worse when we eat from large packages, such as a bag of chips. You can help
this particular situation by not eating directly from a container. Instead, preset yourself a serving on a plate or bowl so that
you dont get carried away.
This doesnt mean that you have to eliminate these locations from your plans, but you should be aware that you will be more
likely to eat more when you are there. And if youre aware of it, then youll be able to resist eating more than you need to.
Do the math
This all comes down to analyzing your results. If youve been faithful to your fitness plans and diet, then maybe there is still
something wrong. Keep in mind that ten calories as a variable each time you eat can add up significantly at the end of the
day. Days add up to weeks and so on. If X + Y isnt equal to Z, then you need to recalculate.
So, next time you find yourself in a tasty situation where food is all around, be aware of what you put into your body.
Awareness is the first step in prevention. The rest is up to you and your determination to accomplish your fitness goals.
