My diet rulesFor food:1. Weigh it.
2. If you can't weigh it, measure it.
3. If you can't weigh or measure it, put it down.
4. If you can eat it whole or drink it, eat it whole.
5. No processed foods. (This of course does not apply to the occasional pizza or slice of chocolate or cheese cake. Only you know what form your 'pizza' 'chocolate cake' or 'cheese cake takes. Maybe it's sweettarts.)
6. If you are having one of the forbidden treats listed in #5, go to the restaurant and get one piece, then go home. Don't buy the whole cheesecake at the store because it's a better deal. When it comes to forbidden foods, there is no 'better deal'. There is only tempation.
7. Proteins are prefered, fats follow, carbs last. (That's what works for me. Your results may vary. Play with your chemistry set and find what works for you. In case you don't know what your chemistry set is, it's what you stuff food into every day.)
8. Stick to the outside edges of the grocery store.
9. 'Clean foods' and 'healthy foods' add calories, just like anything else.
Lest you think I'm dogmatic about what is a 'clean' or 'dirty' food, please read this. In fact, 'clean' and 'dirty' are only an opinion.
Why clean eating is a myth.Rules for a proper attitude when dieting down:
1. Weigh daily, this means you and your food.
2. Log your calories and trust the numbers.
3. If you're logging your calories and you don't lose over an extended period, redo the math.
4. Use an off site TDEE calculator like the one on IIFYM.
5. If you can't keep your head on straight, you're likely low on good fats in your diet.
6. If you have a 500 calorie deficit per day and you eat a small bag of Doritos, that deficit is gone. If your calorie deficit is 300 calories, an apple, cheese and two crackers will take it away.
7. Within 10%: 5 cups cabbage = 2 cups watermelon = 2 apples = 3 oz tuna = 1/2 donut = 10 almonds = 1 tbsp butter. Calories matter.