If only I had the willpower to resist the snacks in my breakroom lounge, I could lose these last 10 pounds. Here’s a little secret.
Willpower will not stop you from snacking, but here is what does (adequate food/fuel).
A lot of people blame overeating and constant snacking on willpower.
I am sorry to break it to you, but willpower is not the problem.
Willpower has nothing to do with your constant snacking and nibbling, but more to do with what you are not eating.
Skipping Meals Sets You Up for Failure
If you have eating and weight loss goals, then you need to stop skipping meals.
Strive to eat three meals a day. Consuming adequate amounts of food helps you avoid the constant snacking.
Why You Should Eat Three Meals a Day
Think of your meals as fuel stops you make at certain times of the day.
The body needs the energy to function, and we get that energy from the food we eat.
When you fuel up, you’re adding a right balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
Fueling up with the macronutrients tailored for your body and activity levels helps you avoid overeating and snacking.
Food/Fuel is All the Willpower You Need
So you think you need the willpower to help you stop the constant nibbling and snacking, but you do not need willpower.
The food/fuel that you give your body is all the willpower you need.
When you make eating three meals a day a priority, you will discover some amazing things that happen.
Here is what you will notice:
- little to no desire for constant snacking, nibbling or overeating
- more energy
- stable mood
Final Words
Willpower gets the blame for everything, but willpower is not something you will ever need.
When the body gets the fuel it needs, it will not feel the need to compensate for what it did not get.
Decide today to work with your body and not against it, by staying fueled throughout the day.
Tell willpower to take a hike, while you give your body the food/fuel it needs.
And say goodbye to constant snacking, kibbling, overeating, and mindless eating for good.
I must work on getting the right balance throughout the day. I’m not sure that I’m including enough -especially for breakfast. Within an hour or so, I’m ready to snack. Usually, I’m craving a salty snack. Maybe, I should include more, but divide my breakfast in parts and eat a little bit at a time. I usually don’t want a big breakfast first thing in the morning. What do you advise?
Thanks!
Hi Trinity,
I’m thinking about making a video about this soon. 🙂
I have discovered that I get hungry an hour or so after drinking a green smoothie. So I don’t have green smoothies for breakfast very often.
Instead, I usually have (example) – oatmeal, Greek yogurt, berries, with a little butter (my go-to) or veggie scramble (I use egg white), turkey sausage links, toast, with a little butter/peanut butter, or protein pancakes, berries, a little butter (or Greek Yogurt), sugar-free syrup.
My breakfast (first meal) macros range looks like this (34-70g Carbs), (15-30g Protein (Average is 25g)), and (7-20g Fat).
I usually make sure my carbs are slighter higher (sometimes they are equal) than my protein and fat is in the range I shared with the average being around 10g.
I use MyFitnessPal to track my calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients. I’m trying to lose weight, so I have a certain amount of calories that I have to eat (1450 calories), but I have my Fitbit linked to MyFitnessPal also to include the calories burned too, and that’s also deducted from my total calories consumed.
My macronutrient break down is (Carbs – 181g (50%), Protein – 73g (20%), Fat – 48g (30%)). I’ve been playing around with this to see what’s most comfortable for me.
If I go over my macros, I just make sure I don’t go over my calories, because that’s what really matters.
I have finally figured out how this stuff works and each morning I weigh, I see the number going down (little by little). The calories I consume are based on my age, height, activity level, and the amount of weight I want to lose per week. As my weight goes down, the calories consumed get adjusted. (MyFitnessPal figures)
I think if you make an effort to get healthy carbs and a protein with a healthy fat (doesn’t have to be a high amount of fat), then you should notice that you won’t get hungry so quick and you won’t have a desire to crave a salty snack.
You’re probably (I’m assuming) eating higher carbs (with more fast acting (simple) sugars, little fiber) with a small amount protein. Make sure your carb sources have fiber to help slow down how fast the sugar gets released into your system (stay fuller longer).
Protein will help you stay fuller longer too (takes more energy for your body to break it down, uses more calories/energy). Include fat, but don’t go overboard with that.
These (2) websites have helped me understand things better: http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/ and https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/blog/ The guy who runs these sites is a straight shooter, and he knows what his stuff. I even bought his ebooks.
Check out the MyFitnessPal App, if you don’t already have it. I resisted using this app for a long time, mostly because I didn’t have a good understanding, but now that I understand how things work, I use it.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Hope this helps. – Evelyn
Sorry so long. 🙂
Thanks so much. That really makes sense about increasing my protein. When I’m not working, I tend to eat a more balanced breakfast, and the hour later hunger does not usually happen. However, when I’m working, I usually have quick meals that are high on the carbs. I’m really going to have to take the time to check out the myfitness app.
Hi Trinity!
Let me know how it goes.
Have a great weekend!!
Great article, Evelyn! When we fuel our bodies with enough healthy, whole foods, we don’t crave the “junk food”. Thank you!
Hi Robin,
That’s true.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂