“Why Are You Eating?” — A Mindset for Health Improvement.

One of the questions that allowed me to burn more than 80 kilos, maybe it will help you achieve your fitness goals.

For most of my life, I’ve been fat.

not like fluffy or chubby,

no.

Fat, Overweight, obese,

there was a point where the number on the scale when I stepped was 177 kg.

After lots of internal battles and mental work, with time and effort, I managed to eliminate more than 80Kilos.

(There is about a 4-year time frame between the 2 pics) I know my body is not perfect yet and still far from what I want, but it’s closer.

Lots of things changed between the two people in those pictures, and so much happened, but the most important change was not in the body, it was in the Mind.

The body is just the outcome, it all starts in the mind.

After speaking with some people who knew me from before and even some others who saw how I was, always asked what did I do? They wanted the “magic formula”.

I’ve come to realize there are a few differences in why people get fat, but the reason why they stay fat is pretty much the same.

One of the big differences between most people who struggle with weight problems and me is that I always loved sports.

Not watching soccer on the TV while shoving down treats and drinking alcohol, no, that I don’t like, never liked, and still don’t.

But to practice sports itself.

Do you know the hyperactive fat friend everyone has in the group? That always ends up being the goalkeeper, that was me.

Since I was a kid, my mom always tried to force me to “lose weight and get in shape”.

I lost some, gained some back, and always had an “accordion effect”. You know how it is?

Especially because my mindset was wrong about getting healthier. In the past, I’ve trained or at least tried lots of different martial arts and combat sports, from BJJ to Muay Thai, Karate to Capoeira, Boxing, or Kickboxing, and the list could go on and on.

The only thing I never truly enjoyed was lifting weights.

You can put me in a 5-hour boxing training session, but don’t send me for 30 mins to lift weight.

(I do it nowadays and have come to love it because of muscular strengthening, after realizing that If I want to continue running and truly going for triathlon it’s impossible to do it without)

Even though I have practiced sports for most of my life, I’ve always struggled with weight and body issues.

The Real reason?

Emotional Eating.

Like the majority of people who struggle with weight problems, I always ended up using food as an escape valve.

I mean, I always loved to eat, and still do.

But, nowadays I’m way more conscious about what I eat and why.

Who doesn’t?

After going through this entire process, I’ve realized because of emotional struggles, very bad routines, and bad habits, are the reasons why most people end up running to food as an escape valve.

I always ended up using food as an escape valve. I would eat and eat, and eat believing that at some moment I would get satisfied.

Spoiler Alert: you never do.

The idea of getting in comfort after a shitty day to watch some random show and eat some unhealthy snacks is very tempting. We are humans, we tend to conform.

Getting the brain doped up by hormones from this behavior is way too good.

But, another spoiler alert:

It will kill you.

When I decided I would take care of my body and mind, it wasn’t easy.

The decision to get in shape and break a chain of old self-destructive habits is always a huge challenge, especially when you lived with them most of your life.

Triggering Hack

One of the “hacks” I’ve developed that work miracles to help me deal with this emotional eating, is the question, “Why are you eating Dyego?”.

Every time I eat something, right before I put the food in my mouth I ask myself this:

Why are you eating?

And I answer it honestly.

Doing this allows me to become aware of the habit, it allows me to realize the reason why I am eating and don’t let the bad habits run wildly free.

After becoming aware it is just about controlling yourself.

Why Do You Eat?

I know it sounds like a dumb question, but take a moment to reflect on it.

(Use the comment section below to answer it)

What was the reason you ate the last time? Was it really because you were hungry?

Or just because it was time to eat on your schedule? Maybe you were even bored and decided to go for a snack.

Hunger is a pretty strong feeling/sensation I’m sure you would remember if that was the reason.

Wouldn’t you?

I believe there are a few reasons why we eat, but there is only one correct reason why we should eat:

Our body needs fuel.

Being a little extremist here, this honestly should be the only reason to ever put food in our mouths. But since we are human, we eat for a lot of reasons, most of them, are for wrong motives.

Sometimes schedule, some other social, most of them pleasure, or any other reason.

Most of them are based on satisfying our brain with hormonal shots, to make us feel good doped on dopamine.

Eating because your body needs fuel will make you get healthier and lose weight. if it is for any other reason it will make you stay stuck where you are or even worse.

Understanding that food is fuel and should not for pleasure, is one of the first mental changes you have to do to get in shape and achieve your fitness goals.

Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins, why do you think is that?

From my experience, aside from exercises and all of the other stuff, if you truly want to reach your dream body, change your mindset about health, food, and especially yourself to become your best fittest version.

You need to start with small simple actions that instill triggers to destroy destructive behaviors.

Become aware of your bad habits, and change them.

By asking yourself “Why are you eating?” every time before you put something in your mouth, will allow your mind to become aware of your flaws.

It will allow you to realize that 90% of the time you eat, you are not doing it for the right reason and you should start listening to your body more.

Remember:

Food Is Fuel For the Body, Not for the Mind.

Then, Why Are You Eating?

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If You want to become your fittest version and achieve your goals, I can help you!

You can start by following me here on Medium, where I post daily (almost) tips and tricks for fitness, health, and marketing.

https://medium.com/@dgasparwtr

And Make sure to never let comfort win folks!

Have a nice day.

And See ya around.

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