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I have a bunch of thoughts for you. I fear putting them on the internet in a forum because so many people have such strong opinions and things go badly from there. So here are some things I've learned over the years. I hesitate to put this out there, because there's lot of nuance; but, there is a way I've seen psychologists categorize people and one of the dichotomies are "moderator vs abstainer". And when you say that you have poor moderation but strong will power, that really makes me think that you're an abstainer. I know, because I am! My wife can have a spare chocolate bar in her desk for months incase she gets hungry. If I have a bar in my desk, it's gone in 5 minutes, but I have no trouble dealing with not having the bar there. That is, I'm an all-or-nothing kind of guy, she gets panicked if there's no bar there "just in case" but can not touch it for months. That's just one example, but I've learned to just structure my life around that. For example, I just don't eat any food before noon or after 6:00PM. One simple rule, that way I can do all-or-nothing. I work out every day regardless of how busy I am, the only reason to not workout is if I'm actually sick and working out would make it worse. Being tired, busy, not feeling like it, putting it off until tomorrow - no! It's a rule. At 5:00 I go outside, open the garage door, pick up some kettlebells and do something for 20-30 minutes. When it's 20 degrees outside and blowing snow, I'm out there. When it's 80 degrees and direct sun, I'm out there. It's a rule, I do it. As for what to eat - here's where I'm going to get into lots of trouble, because internet. But here's _what works for me_. I only eat meat - and of that 90% is simply grass-fed beef. Grains make me sick, veggies have enough carbs in them to kick my appetite and then my all-or-nothing kicks in. Beef has all the nutrients you need. It doesn't stimulate the appetite, it gets boring so you don't eat constantly. And it's super nutritious. Between noon and 6, I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. No weighing or measuring or counting. It takes all of the anxiety away. I know the green folks will go all what about sustainability? But I just do local regeneratively ranched beef, so don't yell at me about that! Even if you have to go CAFO meet because location or economics, beef is your best choice for nutrition and sustainability. I've been doing this for nearly a decade so it is something I have been able to easily keep up with - even with a family and kids and all of that. I'm super healthy, so it works _for me_. I'm 45, well within the body weight I should be, much stronger and healthier than all my peers, and have no struggles with the emotional side of eating and trying to "diet" I'm not saying that this is your answer, but maybe look into something like that. I've been struggling with an all-or-nothing mindset for a long time, and this was a great solution. Good luck! |