Why you keep choosing 'bad' foods

If you're reading this, congratulations! You've recognised that something needs work - namely your connection to the block of chocolate in the fridge.

Jokes aside, the fact is that if you are on a journey to lose weight, you understand how difficult it can be to avoid all those unhealthy (but delicious) foods you took pleasure in eating - and with good reason!

If you were anything like me, you say to yourself "I'm starting a diet on Monday! That's it!", and then Monday becomes Tuesday and Tuesday becomes... "Oh screw it i'll start next week". Right?

As well as the procrastination, you also find yourself reaching for the 'bad' unhealthy foods and then feeling guilty immediately after, which usually leads to over-exercising or over-restricting your calories! But it's not your fault - in many forms of media we're fed an overwhelming amount of information, it's almost impossible to figure out where to go for that one trick that'll shed those pounds!

By this point you're probably sitting there thinking "God just tell me already! What is it?!', and I will. See, I am currently on my weight loss journey (I have been overweight my whole life) and I've learned some extremely valuable things along the way that... to be honest, aren't talked about on mainstream fitness and health platforms.

Disclaimer: I am not a dietician or anything of the sort, this is just my personal experience and what has worked for me.

For one? I'm sorry to say this, but there is no 'quick fix', you need to focus on burning more calories than you consume day to day. The easiest way to do this is through an app like LoseIt. In my experience, it really doesn't matter what diet you're on, because you'll be eating within your calorie deficit and hence losing weight.

Let's talk a bit more about eating habits though. The first thing we need to address is the relationship you have with food. If you find yourself sabotaging your efforts, despite knowing you'll have to make up for it, it could be time to take a look at where this could be coming from.

Most if not all of the time, our identities as adults are shaped by our childhood, when our brains are most malleable and susceptible to change. It's time to ask yourself questions like:

• What were my eating habits like as a kid? Have they changed?
• What did my parents teach me about food? Good or bad
• When I reach for a calorie-rich snack or meal, what are the emotions lying under the surface? Is this being used as a punishment for potentially feeling like you have failed somewhere else in your life, or as a coping mechanism?
• Do I believe certain foods will instantly make me fat? Why?
• Do I think certain foods are 'bad' and 'good'?

etc, etc....

Health is a mental and emotional challenge as much - if not more than - a physical challenge. My personal experiences have revealed to me that I often use food as a coping mechanism to comfort myself, and I remember doing this from the age 11.

With that sort of thing in mind, it's extremely important to speak to and treat yourself with care, as emotional eating/self-sabotage may run deeper than you think!

It could be time to see a nutritionist or therapist who can help you work through other aspects of your health to allow your relationship with food to be at its best.

Never forget though, good things take time. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Stick to your guns and be gentle on yourself.