Re-evaluating popular weight-loss rules
Diets are filled with dogma about when, what and how much to eat. Certainly "the rules" are usually based on observations that make sense, but unless you understand why you do certain things, you'll break the rules as soon as the temptation is greater than your motivation. Let's examine some of these myths, where they come from and how to make long term changes that will work for you.
Myth: Don't eat after 7 p.m.
Your metabolism doesn't shut off at 7:01 p.m. so why is this rule so common? It is based on the observation that a lot of people who struggle with their weight overeat in the evening. Most people have already eaten dinner so they aren't snacking because they're hungry, they snack because of boredom, television, loneliness and other triggers.
Rather than creating a rule to address those habits, ask yourself "Am I hungry?" whenever you feel like eating in the evenings. If you truly are, eat, keeping in mind that your day is winding down so you won't need a huge meal. If you aren't, consider why you feel like eating and come up with a better way to address that need. Ken, a man in one of my workshops, realized he was just bored so he started doing stained glass in the evenings to entertain himself. Whatever works!
