Why do you have to FORCE yourself to do the right thing when it comes to your eating?

Why can’t it be as EASY as eating junk whenever you feel like it?

Those are probably questions you’ve asked yourself while struggling to stay on track with healthy eating and healthy habits.

In this post, I’m sharing a few answers to help you understand and finally do the right think because you WANT to (instead of having to force it).

Reason #1: Your brain prefers the path of least resistance.

Meaning, your brain likes what’s easiest, even if what’s easy is also bad for you.

If it’s easier to say yes to crap food than “stay strong,” your brain wants to do it.

It’s easier to stick with your old ways because they’re familiar than it is to do the work to create new ways.

The solution: Make it as easy as possible to stay on track.

Keep the crap out of your house.

Steer clear of situations where you’ll be tempted, and of people and things that trigger cravings.

It may not always be possible to steer clear of every little thing every day for the rest of your life.

But do what you can, especially while you’re still in weight loss mode. The easier you can make it to stay on track, the less effort it’ll take.

Reason #2: You’re getting something out of cheating.

And it’s not just the food.

It’s things like comfort, relief,  connection with loved ones (or yourself; you might be lonely), attention from caretakers because of health problems caused by diet, variety, and even excitement.

The solution: There are a zillion other ways to get those same experiences without putting food in your mouth to do it.

Brainstorm the benefits you get from eating (especially the less obvious ones). Then make a list of ways you can get those same benefits without food.

Reason #3: You don’t like feeling controlled.

If you view your healthy food and habits as something you “have” to do or “need” to do instead of something you get to do, you’ll feel controlled.

“Have to” is victim talk. It suggests someone else is forcing you to eat healthfully.

But the only person putting food in your mouth is YOU.

The solution: Stop thinking of healthy eating as something you “have” to do, and start thinking of it as something you GET to do.

You GET to sleep 7-8 hours a night.

You GET to drink a gallon of water a day.

You GET to eat real, rich, delicious food and lose weight doing it.

Doesn’t all that feel so much better than saying “I have to” or “I need to?”

Bottom line: A mix of your perspective and your brain’s natural wiring are why you feel like you have to force yourself to eat healthfully.

So see healthy eating differently, see junk food differently, and work WITH your brain’s natural wiring to make it easier to stay on track!