Weight loss has an undeniable psychological component attached to it, even for individuals that don’t necessarily resort to emotional eating as a way to release tension or stress. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why many people fail to lose weight is that the habits required by a certain diet are contrary to their current ones, so stepping out of the comfort zone all at once is certainly difficult.
As countless studies have stressed already, seemingly insignificant cues we don’t pay attention to can influence our behavior to an impressive extent. Marketing experts have greatly boosted the sales with clever tricks that can pass unnoticed for the untrained eye, but using psychology to our advantage can certainly improve our choices. Here area a few ideas to get you started:
Create a list The importance of planning can’t be stressed enough since it is a well known fact that unplanned purchases can really wreak havoc on our budget and even our waistline. Shopping with a list and sticking to it and avoiding going hungry are two of the simplest ways to make healthier choices. By avoiding bringing temptations to your home in the first place, you will have an easier time sticking to your diet.
Shop like a man Speaking of temptations, your shopping style becomes really important when going shopping in different ails. While reading labels and taking time to select the best produce for your needs is certainly a desirable, rational behavior, in the areas where less than stellar food choices are, having a more pragmatic approach, similar to the approach men usually have when shopping is generally best as minimizing the time you spend in the “forbidden foods” area will make sticking to your original plans easier.
Go for flavor While it is true that healthy foods don’t necessarily have to be expensive, sometimes going for pricier alternatives can be the best choice, especially when it comes to cheese or sweets. Maximum flavor might mean that you get to feel satisfied with a smaller quantity which in turn can make it easier to stick to your diet without feeling deprived.
Avoid products marketed to children These types of products tend to be high in sugar and fat and should be viewed more as treats. If you want a decadent treat, selecting small portions is a good choice as you are able to get instant satisfaction without extra temptations.
Avoid emotional shopping Most of the buyer’s remorse is usually linked to unplanned purchases and this includes food shopping where the quality of the items purchased instead of the price is what triggers regrets. Every time we cave in to temptations we reinforce the unwanted behavior of emotional eating, so resisting our urges is really crucial in order to avoid regrets.
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