“A little won’t hurt” – VLCD Diet Lies!
When you are on a VLCD Total Food Replacement diet plan, to get the BEST results you should be 100%, and stick to your diet meal replacements only, we can sometimes kid ourselves that “A Little Won’t Hurt!” but really it does…
Being 100% will get you the best weight loss results, fast results, that keep you motivated and give you the self belief that you can and will get to your healthy weight. Being 100% can dramatically increase your chances of getting to your goal. In this article we will look at how the mindset of a “A little won’t hurt” can hinder us now and in the long term too.
When we are committed to total food replacement and following a VCLD diet plan that means we should be taking only nutritionally complete meal replacements. When we follow this type of plan we will be following a very low calorie diet, the benefits of having all the nutrients we require to be healthy and the added bonus of ketosis, which helps us to burn our body fat faster without feeling hungry or tired.
Ketosis is based on the principle of low carb, so it commonly happens that a battle starts in our mind (read this blog post for help on overcoming the battle of your mind) that a little bit of lean protein and some salad won’t hurt.
Now let’s get serious here, obviously a lettuce leaf and a piece of grilled chicken is not going to be the end of the world. I am not saying that it will, this article is about the signals that you are sending to your mind, and how a little can turn into a lot. Being self disciplined and sticking to your plan is so important, especially if you want to make long lasting changes.
Having a little can knock you out of ketosis and what it does to your mindset, can really impact your results now and also in the future. Here’s how…
First of all and most importantly – If you are saying you are committed to doing Total Food Replacement 100%, and then you change your mind and start to nibble at protein and salad, then you are sending a message to your mind that says you do not stick to what you set out to do. If you want to be self disciplined then you need to be congruent. Your word needs to mean something to yourself. If you say you are going to do something, then do it, and don’t let anything or anyone stop you. This will not only help you to get to your healthy weight faster, but it will set you up for success when you come to maintain.
Secondly, most people who have given into the voice that says “A little won’t hurt” will tell you that it is a slippery slope. That itty bitty lettuce leaf with some lean healthy chicken, can suddenly have a dallop of mayo and slice of buttered bread wrapped around it. Oh yes. And I will just have it “today” turns into tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and then you are out of ketosis, and back to square one again. 🙁
Thirdly if you REALLY want to change, then you have to get strong minded and disciplined. Stick to you guns! Self esteem comes from self discipline! You will feel better about yourself for saying NO. You will feel stronger and more empowered. So many people use events and days out as an excuse to have a little… but the one’s who say NO, and stay committed are the ones who are jumping up and down celebrating their next weekly weigh in.
Self discipline is like a muscle – the more you use it the stronger it gets. When it comes to maintenance, “A little won’t hurt” isn’t going to be a lettuce leaf and some chicken, people will be tempting you with cakes, and restaurant sides, if you can train your mind to stick to your plan whether that is TFR or when it comes to refeed to stick to your healthy eating plan, then you will be on the road to brand new you.
Dieting is so much to do with your mindset. Break free from a little won’t hurt. A little won’t do you any good either. Be good to yourself, love yourself, and do everything you can to get to where you want to be.
We can fill our minds and our lives with excuses. I have done it. I am speaking from experience. I think you probably have done it too. We are all human at the end of the day.
If you REALLY want to get to your goal, then don’t give in to the “A little won’t hurt voice”.
Food is not going anywhere, there will still be chicken, and celery sticks in the world in a few months time. If you stay on track 100%, you will be protecting your mindset and your ketones. You will be fast tracking your way to the slim healthy target weight. You will prancing around in those skinny jeans and looking hot before you know it!
If you want to read more about the battle of your mind and how you can make sure you win and get slim then read this blog post.
Amy, could you pls update the leader board? I list 10lbs on week 1