How to Lose Weight Without Giving Up Pizza or Chocolate Regularly

The key lies in moderation and not completely eliminating any type of food from our diet, as the psychological factor plays a significant role in the process.

One of the major challenges in undergoing a weight loss process is dealing with restrictions. Knowing that you can’t eat some of your favorite foods not only brings about feelings close to depression but also generates anxiety, often causing these weight loss attempts to end in failure.

However, many doctors and nutritionists believe that it is not necessary to eliminate all unhealthy foods from our lives. The key might be moderation, and specialists from Insider have developed some tips to lose weight without having to give up the culinary pleasures life offers us.

The first and foremost recommendation is the classic combination for those who want to lose weight: diet and exercise. But that weight loss is often related to happiness. According to nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, "weight is not a defining factor of health, it's simply a number that does not express how happy you feel, how your organs are functioning, the physical activity you engage in, or your quality of life."

How to Lose Weight Healthily

Another nutritionist, Priya Tew, is convinced that many factors contribute to weight gain or loss. Obviously, eating two bags of chips or a tub of ice cream every day will sabotage any weight loss plan, but in general terms, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the fault of those culinary pleasures.

Priya Tew explains that "we often simplify weight gain to diet and activity levels, but in reality, stress, sleep, age, hormones, medications, the types of gut microbes you have, and your past diet history can be other factors." Therefore, her recommendation is not to focus solely on losing weight, but on the overall lifestyle we lead, considering whether we move enough, sleep well, eat properly, etc.

But one of the major tricks for losing weight that both experts agree on is reducing portion sizes: "One thing you can do is try halving the portions of these particular items you’ve labeled as 'guilty pleasures'. There’s no reason to feel guilty, but instead of eating three scoops of ice cream, have just two; or instead of having a full dessert, share half with someone else."

With the 80/20 Method, Eat Healthy 11 Times a Week and Your Favorites the Remaining 3

Therefore, many people use the 80/20 method, which basically involves eating healthy and nutritious foods 80% of the time and dedicating the remaining 20% to less healthy foods without feeling guilty. Applied to our daily lives, this means that out of the 14 meals and dinners in a week, 11 should be healthy and 3 can include more caloric foods.

Eating Everything is Healthy

The nutritionists share their views on the importance of mindset when it comes to losing weight: "I think this is much more important than having a certain weight. Sometimes we need to let go of weight to have a better balance in life and be happier." Therefore, they recommend thinking about body acceptance rather than just the obligation to lose weight.

That diet, accompanied by exercise, is what we should aim for in the long term, making these two variables daily habits. Nonetheless, Rhiannon Lambert emphasizes that if you’ve achieved that goal and, over time, old unhealthy habits reappear, it might be worth seeking psychological support.

The nutritionist explains that "it’s important to address these underlying issues and triggers surrounding diet before really looking at weight loss itself." Therefore, they always recommend not facing these processes alone: a professional, a friend, or even family can be the best support for long-term weight loss.

If we manage to eat healthily and incorporate exercise into our daily routine, we will have taken a giant step towards losing weight. We can continue eating the foods we love, as long as it is done in moderation and without bingeing. The 80/20 method can be a great help in achieving the desired goal.

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Weight Loss Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or weight loss plan. Individual results may vary, and it is important to consider your own health needs and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program.