Finding the Simple Solution

In general, we seem to over-complicate things. Quite often we look for the most complex solutions when there is actually a simple solution. We think “It can’t be that easy to solve” or we seem to believe that if the solution is complex it is more valuable. If we work harder for it, we value it more, but that also means we want to hold onto it more; because we worked so hard for it.

“The best solution is nearly always the simplest one which achieves the desired result”

Why is Simple Best?

• It’s easier to commit to something simple
• Simple solutions can be remembered easily
• Tracking progress is quicker and more reliable
• Deviating from it is easy to identify
• No complicated measuring devices are required

Food Choices

If you look at all the products out there that claim to have so many benefits because of super food status. I’m not saying they’re bad, but quite often we’ll go out of our way to buy these expensive items only to be eating low quality, fast foods 3-4 meals a week. Do you think it makes sense to do it that way?

Consistency is key when it comes to most things, especially weight loss and fitness. Stick to the basics and you can’t go far wrong.

Ideally we are trying to reach that low hanging fruit. To make the changes that are the easiest to change and produce the most benefit. The biggest bang for your buck, if you prefer…This is the best way to make small changes that make the biggest difference.

Supplements

I take supplements, but that’s because I feel I have a pretty good handle on my food choices. Don’t worry about supplements until you have the basics down first. There is no magic pill out there. Being healthy is about the choices you make for 90% of your day not the 1% of the time you pop a pill in the morning. If you’re happy with the results you are getting from food and exercise, and you have no medical conditions, then maybe consider supplementing.

There is no magic pill out there

Calorie Counting

Another example is the diets that people stick to where they count every calorie every day and obsess over the little details. Sure, if you’re a body builder who is competing or a top level athlete who needs to hit certain levels of foods and macro nutrients I get it. But for the average person who just wants to stay reasonably lean it doesn’t need to be that complicated.

You can eat a huge amount of the right foods and never be hungry and still be low on calories. The key is finding what those right foods are. I’ll give you a clue, they aren’t the brightly coloured, cheap, always on offer items in the supermarket. They are the ones which look like real foods.

Until you are able to eat real foods and reduce the high calorie snacks of sweets and biscuits you’re going to think that calorie counting is the answer.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to throw the scales and stop paying attention to labels. I’m just saying that once you have a basic understanding of it, you know what’s good and what’s not. In fact, I bet 90% of people would know what the healthier options of food are if they were put in front of them. There is a problem, however, and that’s marketing and manufacturers.

Food Manufacturers

Manufacturers of most food products do not care about health. They are only interested in selling products and making money. They sail as close to the line as possible in terms of what is acceptable if it means that their product will make more money. They’re more interested in using synthetic, man made and mass produced ingredients because they last longer and are cheaper.

A fresh piece of fruit is delicate, takes a long time to ripen, is expensive to grow, has a short shelf life and is difficult to transport. Why would you use that ingredient when you can use something else that has non of those disadvantages?

The manufacturers are very clever and know how to market their food products to look and sound healthy even if they are not. Take a look at most breakfast cereals and you’ll think they look good for you. Green ticks all over it, clean designing and appealing with messages like “wholegrain” and “one of your 5 a day” on them. Unfortunately, though, if you look at the label you will see a different picture. The quality of the ingredients is definitely questionable and the added stuff like sugars is incredible. Some of those cereals are up to 30% sugar…

Anyway, back to the point. Eating clean and simply.

Clean Eating

Here are two basic rules to eat by:

1. Eat food that is as close to its natural state as possible. That means unprocessed with no additives. Think vegetables, fruits, raw nuts and seeds. Not the stuff which has been processed, though, the stuff that looks like you would find it in nature.
2. Reduce refined sugars. If, like me, you have a sweet tooth try replacing your chocolate bars with fruits.

It sounds easy but it’s not as easy as it sounds. I can promise you one thing, though, once you manage to get this under control you will see noticeable changes. Changed in energy, mood and probably your body shape. I know I have.

It’s taken me years to fully get a control on the refined sugars part but I feel like I’ve finally managed to now. It was hard, and I’ll write about it in another blog post soon.

If you look at what you have in your cupboards at home and find that a large portion of it is processed, man made, packaged foods and ready meals, sauces from jars and extra long life products, do you think they are going to be healthy choices? If they aren’t, what can you do to replace or upgrade those food choices to improve them?

Here are some breakfast Ideas to try out.

I should also point out here that getting good quality sleep is absolutely essential to good health.

Make 1 Change Starting Today?

Are you able to make 1 change per week in order to improve the quality of the food choices you make? Just 1 a week would mean over 50 food changes in a year and that would make a massive difference. Just a few months would help you see big changes.

None of us are perfect. We all have days where we eat badly. It’s normal, so don’t worry if that happens to you. Tomorrow is another day and you can start fresh again. One bad day doesn’t mean you have to quit making the changes you have started and go back to where you were before. There is no direct path from one place to another, the journey winds and we have ups and downs along the way. But keep trying and you will find that you make progress.

Where to start

Before you can make a change, you need to know what to change. For that, downloads the “My Fitness Pal” app and use it to create a food diary. Do it for a week if you can. Remember to put everything in there as accurately as possible. This will give you a really good indication as to where all your calories are coming from so you can potentially change up some of the ones to healthier options.

Drop me a message on Facebook or Instagram or comment below and I will do my best to help you out.