@Linda888 when I started my process a year ago it was a simple rule - either I do something right or not at all. I did stick to this rule and it gave me quick results ( now I would say that even too quick as a majority of my weight I lost within 3 months ). I used to be a heavy drinker ( sounds funny now, as it applies both to my weight and drinking habits 😉 ) and I almost entirely dropped it. Sugar comes only from natural sources ( like fruits, veggies ). If I want something to taste sweet I look for a way of utilizing those. For example, my morning porridge is quite sweet and there is not a gram of added sugar in. I reduced dairy too but not removed it completely. The point is - none of these is your real enemy. You are your only enemy because you are unable to say "no" to yourself and listen to it 🙂 Everything consumed in moderation may add to the flavour and make a nice meal. However, we tend to overeat nowadays. A single lunch meal served in any pub could serve for the whole day for most of the population. Glass of wine or pint of beer won't kill you if you do it from time to time. Moreover, it may be even beneficial. Dairy can be a good source of protein and it really adds to the flavour. But then, for instance, I see people who put a humongous amount of cheese on top of their pasta dishes in the restaurant, they ask for an extra slice of bacon for the burger, or extra cheese for the pizza. I do use dairy but it's enough for me to enhance my pasta with 5-10g of parmesan or 50g of ricotta.
What I want to say is don't make food your enemy but your ally, learn it and understand it. After all, you live because you consume food ( at least it's one of the reasons 😉 ). It's not about saying "i won't touch that anymore for the rest of my life". This way it's very hard to commit to anything that requires sacrificing something forever. I call it "conscious eating". It makes lot more difference when you are aware what particular food and its amount does to your body than not knowing and mindlessly wolfing down something and wondering where those extra kilograms appeared from 🙂
For the last, I put lots of effort into educating myself when I tried to lose weight. It helped me to commit to the new lifestyle as through education I started seeing and understand a lot more benefits than just change in my weight. We are selfish kind 🙂 Seeing no benefits and only sacrifices we will never commit to anything. However, if we can gain something worthy it comes lot easier to stick to the plan 😉
