Portions

Here we are in the midst of New Year's resolution time which usually includes fat loss goals and I want to write a little bit about food intake.

Don't let other people dictate how much you eat. You wouldn't let someone in a clothing store tell you how much to buy, right? Sales people love to try though because it increases their sales and sometimes it is very hard to say no. The same thing applies when you go out to eat or buy food. Just because a restaurant sells an amount of food to you doesn't mean you have to eat that amount. They chose that specific amount, you didn't. A manufacturer makes a product that's '20% larger' because it increases their sales. You do not need to eat all of it just because it is served (or sold) to you that particular way. You don't need to eat a whole candy bar or muffin or even an apple because that's the way it comes. There is no law against eating whatever is left over at a later time. It's your body. You decide how much, and what, goes into it.

I really believe that you can eat what you want as long as you eat only the amount that will satisfy you. That takes practice, focus and awareness - things we aren't used to when it comes to eating. We usually eat without thinking about it at all. We snack on what's around, eat what's served to us and grab whatever is handy. When something tastes really good it's hard to stop eating it. I understand that. But who says you can't have it again later in the day or tomorrow? I can almost guarantee that it is not the last chance you will ever have to eat chocolate. Or french fries. Or a donut.

Think before you eat. Think WHILE you eat. Don't let someone else think for you.