How to lose weight with a new mindset
January 6th, 2010 
Todd How to lose weight with a new mindset? Boy, does that sound like a setup for a sales pitch. Nope. Not gonna do it. Just more great advice from your friends at PhitZone.
“Alright, smart guy, so how do I lose weight with a new mindset?” The way that we think is the way that we act. The way we use of words, whether positive or negative, determine the outcome.
Occasionally I read somewhere about “cheat meals”. Sometimes it is even extended to entire cheat days. These articles tend to get my blood boiling. I immediately toss the magazine or move on to another blog post.
The arguments given for a cheat treat are not necessarily bad. It wouldn’t be difficult to persuade someone “on a diet” to follow this advice. At some point they’ll crave foods that they once splurged on. To have an “expert” tell them to go ahead and revert, even for a small moment, is all the permission needed for some serious binging.
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right. Henry Ford
Right about now you are thinking that I am against cheat meals. You would be correct, to a point.
There is a negative connotation to the word “cheat”. It makes us feel guilty. Cheating is wrong. To cheat on a test. To cheat on a spouse. All bad. I dare you to give me an example of cheating being good.
How about calling it a “free meal”? To think this way, a dieter will feel free to have whatever, and however much they want. This doesn’t work either. I don’t know about you, but my parents warned me about nothing in life being free.
Why do we have to call this tactic anything at all? If we have to label it, let’s call it refueling. Increase your calories to your maintenance level. This way you are getting a few extra kcals, but not over what your body requires.
Don’t forget to look for healthy choices. If there is a way for you to make something at home, using the best ingredients, you will be much better off. For example, instead of ordering pizza, make your own using tortillas or pita bread.
If you find yourself in a restaurant, keep your wits about you. Stick to the basics and remember moderation. Scott Smith at Motivation To Move likes to say, “I workout so that I can go out.” I wouldn’t recommend doing this often, or you will never see lasting progress.
If you follow these steps, then you can successfully manage your way through any craving.
Cheating is bad, and there are no free lunches, but we can manage to still enjoy the occasional refueling. And that is how to lose weight with a new mindset.
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4 Responses to “How to lose weight with a new mindset”
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January 22, 2010 at 11:12 am
My wife tells me that changing one’s mindset is easier said than done. I agree with her, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try. Changing how we say things can play such a big role. Wonderful article. Thanx.
November 3, 2010 at 5:04 am
[…] up, and even include a “cheat” meal? Ok, slow down. Let’s remember the article Todd did on the “cheat” meal. We do not like to call it a “cheat” […]
November 9, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Great article! I always hate the idea of ‘cheating’ for the same reason!
November 10, 2010 at 6:55 am
@Miguel, sorry that I never responded to your comment. That’s unlike me. It is a challenge, but with every challenge, there is a solution.
@Bry, Thank you. It’s funny how the way that we say something, no matter how harmless, can have a negative affect.