How You Lose Weight With A Simple, Written Grocery List

October 17, 2018 Ashley 0 Comments

Don’t shop hungry, they say.

You’ll buy and eat everything, they say.

(See? That’s not even their kid. It was just some delicious looking toddler they passed in the last aisle.)

But let’s be honest.

Sometimes good timing’s just just not an option. Like the last time you went to the gym straight from work, for example. You had the right idea. Your heart was in the right place. You knew that if you went home first, that your motivation to hit the elliptical would immediately drip out the willpower sieve. (It’s so hard when the sofa’s in sight…) So you post-work worked out. Good for you. But now, you’re ravenous. And you need groceries for the week. So, what’re you gonna do? Just not have your liquid prerequisite for adulting (AKA coffee) in the morning tomorrow? Just because you’re a pinch peckish right now? I prefer realistic solutions. Ones that take into account times like these. (Or people like us who don’t have our shiz together enough to consistently have grocery timing on point.)

So, what’s the fix? Well, there are a few things you can do. You could hop on the scale and use that as motivation (“Look how far I’ve come – I don’t wanna mess that up!”). Although, to be fair, that only works if you’ve got a scale at your gym – or wherever you are when hunger sets in. You could take a snap of your workout stats, if you’re just leaving the gym (“Look how much I’ve worked off – I don’t wanna ruin it!”). You could grab a light snack. (If you’re good enough at moderating that you won’t spoil or add too many calories to the healthy dinner we hope you have planned.) Or, if you’re not at home or leaving the gym, you could do what gets me thorough almost anything that’s a test of willpower: have an action plan. What you do is pop out your phone and generate a list of exactly what you need from the store. Not what would be nice. Not what you’re craving ATM.

Just what you legitimately need to get and that you won’t survive tomorrow without.

(I feel you, bro… but #PutItTheHellBack #UntilCheatDay)

Having an actionable plan does two things.

First, it puts in the forefront of your mind what’s a priority. And, second, it forces you to visualize where in the store those items are, so that that’s your sole focus. All that’s left is to tell yourself, as you head in, that these are the only items you’re seeking and to pause for nada else. Like a ravenous rat in a maze. Don’t gander at the snack stocked walls. As a fun yes-and to this, I’ll even occasionally play a psych game with myself, where I time myself for how quickly I can obtain my items and GTFO before some imaginary Whole Foods portal opens and we’re all sucked out. This one may or may not work for you. But, since I’m more competitive than I am a piglet, I use this character deficit to my advantage – always trying to beat last visit’s time. If that’s not your thing, then just tell yourself you’ll “treat yoself” to something (inedible) like a magazine, candle, or even some POS from the “as seen on T.V. section” once you’re done with the food portion of your spree. (Most grocery stores at least have a book aisle.) It may sound kinda weird. But much like any other dietary tip that actually works, you gotta actually try it for yourself to realize how effective it can be. Bonus? This also means less money spent that you can spend on threads for your slender new frame.

Takeaway for your grocery war against cravings?

Have an actionable plan and you’ll keep those “peckish patron” proclivities at bay.