Say Goodbye to Black-and-White Thinking

In life we often think of things in terms of “either-or.” This is particularly true when it comes to eating. You place yourself in categories: good or bad, right or wrong, in control or out of control. This black-and-white way of thinking about your dieting habits keeps you in a predictable pattern that is plagued with extreme overthinking. A better way to live your healthy lifestyle is to get in the grey zone.

Living your life on the healthy path is not a process that should be a pledge for perfection. No one is perfect and you will automatically set yourself up for failure if that is the vow you take pre-diet. Take a more flexible approach to your eating habits and see yourself shine long-term.

Here are some tips on how to ditch black-and-white thinking:

• Instead of thinking about your diet as a yo-yo, think of it like a pendulum. The yo-yo approach never allows you to stop in the middle and causes you to be up or down. With the pendulum even if you swing the wrong direction, eventually you are left with a smaller arc in between the two extremes. That is your happy place.
• Quit defining food as “good” and “bad.” When you drop those self-determined definitions you will feel free.
• If you slip up, learn from your mistakes instead of going through the mental shame-game. The reality is that we live in a food-abundant world and you have to be flexible enough to establish a healthy relationship with food and with yourself.
• Choose foods that reflect the balance you are trying to achieve. They should be high in nutrition AND enjoyment.
• Be in tune to your hunger and fullness cues. Eating when your body is ready rather than when the clock says you should will help you stay healthfully satiated and limit those “out of control” moments.
• Give up the all or nothing mentality and instead be in charge!

How do you get your eating habits in the grey zone? Share your tips below.