As you know, Mr. Coffee and I have spent the past month kicking physical activity into high gear. I’m proud to say that we are about to complete our fourth week of workouts. Haven’t missed a single one! It’s becoming a habit and that was the goal for January.
For February, I’m tackling a new goal. Eating less.
As I mentioned last week, I’m frustrated with my lack of weight loss. Honestly, I figured that if I stopped eating any sugar (including natural ones) and didn’t drink wine that I’d lose like crazy along with working out 5 days per week. No…such…luck.
What do you do when you’re eating very clean yet can’t seem to lose weight? You have to eat less!
Easier said than done, right?
Over the years, I’ve calorie counted, carb counted, measured my portions, and skipped meals ala intermittent fasting. All of those methods can be effective. All of them have helped me lose weight in the past. However, for me, I haven’t found any of them sustainable in my daily life as a lifetime solution. It is very important that I do something that I can do forever!
My solution? Salad plates.
Three meals a day. No snacks. No seconds. Has to fit on a salad plate.
I’m eating the same healthy foods. Now, I’m simply eating 30% less of them.
Our dinner plates are 10″ in diameter. Our salad plates are 7″ in diameter. Simple math.
As you can see, when I place the salad plate on top of the dinner plate, that “white space” is what I’m no longer eating. Over time, that should bring about a nice caloric deficit. In fact, did you know that 40 years ago, the standard dinner plate was 2-3″ SMALLER than it is now? No wonder everyone is gaining weight!
How I’m making it work:
I’m filling my plate with healthy choices.
I’m filling 50% of my plate with fruits and/or vegetables.
I’m cautious when it comes to high calorie items.
I am not measuring my food…..except peanut butter. Mainly because you can fit a whole jar of it on a salad plate.
I’m not snacking or eating seconds because FOR ME I know it will negate the benefit of eating from a smaller plate.
Sure, sometimes I’m a bit hungry because eating 30% less food will do that to a person. Still, I’m feeling strong and have plenty of energy for my workouts and daily life. I’m sure in a few days, my stomach will adjust to less food.
The scale is finally moving in the right direction. I’m not stressing because it doesn’t feel like a diet. Oh, and I’m eating the same foods as everyone else, just less of them…naturally…because I can’t fit too much on my plate.
This is my key to eating less without the stress. What is yours?
Wow you’re doing great! The first thing that came to mind was nut butter as it’s so easy to over eat. Ha! My scale is ‘stuck’ as well but I am losing fat (so it says). Just saying no to cookies and sweets is what I need to do.
Losing fat is wonderful!
Barbara Davis recently posted..Eating Less Without The Stress
Great idea on the salad plate!!
Sadly, I’m not ready to give up my wine yet!!
Kim recently posted..Wednesday – Take 2
Well, I’m not giving it up forever!
Barbara Davis recently posted..Eating Less Without The Stress
I see the whole jar of peanut butter fits on the plate ~ Does that mean you get to eat the whole thing
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..National Croissant Day
It is the only food I’m measuring because I could sooooooo eat peanut butter by the spoonful all….day….long.
Barbara Davis recently posted..Eating Less Without The Stress
Gosh, I should send you one of my, what I refer to as, “teeny-tiny spoons.” Yes, that is what I use to eat things like yogurt, fat-free pudding, one cup of ice cream (which is a ridiculously small serving size, in case you were wondering.) It takes me longer to eat them with my teeny-tiny spoon so I don’t feel quite so gypped.
Gaye
Gaye recently posted..How To Lose 10 Pounds Instantly! (Kind Of) A Guide to Good Posture
That’s a neat idea! We have a lot of tiny spoons around here….my 4 y.o. still insists to use her toddler spoons.
Barbara Davis recently posted..Eating Less Without The Stress
This has really been the key to my families success last month! I’m sad to say that my son and husband were eating way too much.
Connie Weiss recently posted..The Secret To Losing Weight