The Stupid Weight Loss Rule You Should Break

There are a lot of weight loss rules. They’re all stupid, but they serve a purpose.

For those of us who find it easy to eat out of control, rules are useful. They help us gain and maintain control. If you want to lose weight getting control by following some rules is a very good thing.

If the rule, "No Eating After 8pm" prevents you from indulging in this habit, then it's a very good rule for you!

If the rule, “No Eating After 8pm” prevents you from indulging in this habit, then it’s a very good rule for you!

If you stop eating at 8pm, your calories are limited to the calories you’ve eaten up until that time. When you stop eating at 8 you eat no more calories. That can help you to lose weight. Limiting calories is a proven weight loss strategy.

8pm, however, isn’t a magic time. Calories eaten before or after 8 are processed by your body the same way. If you eat fewer calories than your body is burning for its energy needs, you’ll lose weight regardless of the hour when you eat them.

As stupid as it is to never eat after 8pm, if you find that rule helpful and it’s a good fit with your life to never eat after 8pm, then that’s a rule you won’t want to break (at least most of the time.)

Time to STOP EATING!

Time to STOP EATING!

What, then, would stupid weight loss rule that should be broken?

The stupid weight loss rule that should be broken is: “To lose weight you must be perfect.

Break the “must be perfect rule!” Break it every day! Perfection isn’t necessary to reduce your weight and not being perfect isn’t cheating nor does it mean you’re blowing it.

There’s nothing to be gained by handicapping yourself by demanding perfection. It’s true, We live in an imperfect world, so perfection doesn’t exist.

Her eating and exercising actions have been perfect, so why isn't the number of pounds she lost this week perfect too?  Because we live in an imperfect world.

Her eating and exercising actions have been perfect, so why isn’t the number of pounds she lost this week perfect too? Because we live in an imperfect world.

Putting pressure on yourself to be perfect undermines success. It stops you when conditions don’t lend themselves to perfection.

Not perfect by any means but her lack of perfection won't stop her from getting to goal and it can teach her a lot about how to stay there.

Not perfect by any means but her lack of perfection won’t stop her from getting to goal and it can teach her a lot about how to stay there.

Whatever your approach, whether you’re counting calories, tracking Weight Watchers PointsPlus values, cutting or counting carb grams, fat grams, all the aforementioned simultaneously, or none of the aforementioned – whatever you’re doing – it’s more than okay to not follow it perfectly.

Sometimes you will choose not to be perfect. You will learn that you can still make progress without perfection. Accepting less than perfection is empowering. Perfection is like a chain that holds you back.

Perfection is a chain that keeps you from reaching your goals. You don't need perfection; you just need progress.

Perfection is a chain that keeps you from reaching your goals. You don’t need perfection; you just need progress.

Want to successfully lower your weight? Stop trying to be perfect, just focus on making progress!

 

 

 

 

Jackie Conn

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. She is a Weight Watchers success story. She's a weight loss expert with 25 years of experience guiding women and men to their weight-related goals. Her articles on weight management have been published in health, family and women's magazines. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news, FOX network morning program Good Day Maine and 207 on WCSH.