Why counting calories and points will always lead to failure (5 simple ways to start eating healthier right now!)

I remember back when I was a teenage, going through a phase of counting calories. Thank God it didn’t last. It was so depressing and it never made sense to me. Healthy food seeming unhealthy i.e. having a huge amount of calories… unhealthy food, in terms of the amount of calories in them, appearing healthy. Maybe it was thanks to my upbringing, but it just seemed, and still does seem, a cracked way to eat.

The truth is, we all know how to eat healthy. You don’t need to check the back of a packet to tell  you if it’s unhealthy or not.

Sometimes I feel we place all our unhappy emotions on food, instead of facing the real, underlying issue as to why we may be over-eating.

It’s easy to focus on food, it’s an easy thing to obsess about, and it takes your mind off WHY you’re eating bad food, WHY you’re bingeing, WHY you’re late night snacking and can’t seem to stop.

Turning to slimming clubs that count calories or points takes you so far away from reality. They teach you to focus more on the food, and don’t focus on fixing what the actual problem might be. It becomes a game, you wear it like a badge. How much weight have you lost this week on the program? How much have you gained?

Oh look at this sin free cheesecake I can eat. Everything is about EATING, when really it should be about maybe learning how to eat less, or eating the right stuff.

They focus on keeping you hooked, fuelling the food obsession, the end game never in sight. They want you to be obsessed with food, that’s the only way it works for them. But I feel you need to learn how to become less obsessed with food. And I feel, that’s where true success lies. You learn not to turn to food for comfort, you learn what your triggers are, you fix the problem, you grow as a person, you find other outlets.

You PROGRESS.

With that in mind, I want to share with you really simple tips to start eating healthier, that will help you #FEELGOOD and fit better in your clothes.  I feel this is all you need to focus on, and if you find it too difficult, or can’t seem to stick with it, something else is wrong.

It could be;

You’re working too much and leaving long gaps between meals (you’re not taking care of yourself);

You can’t stop late night snacking (you’re eating your emotions, something is wrong)

You’re not eating breakfast (you’re not taking care of yourself, why is that?);

You never find the time to prep (you’re putting yourself last);

and the list could go on and on. They are the REAL problems, that’s what you need to focus on.

Tips I swear by:

• 3 meals and 2 snacks… You’ve just got to do it. It stops you from being starving, at all the wrong times. You get into a good routine, you fuel your body, you look after yourself, you take time out, you feed yourself properly.

• Avoid starchy carbs for last meal. Love this one, always have. I just love the easiness of this. Get all your carbs in during the day and have protein and lots of veg for dinner.

• Two litres of water every day. Don’t eat your thirst.

• Keep the snacks protein only.

• Eat regularly (every 3-4 hours)

• Indulge at weekends (You’ve got to live!)

Jessica X

P.S YOU HAVE GOT THIS