Eat More, Leave Less And Lose Weight

By Author: Jonathan Trott
Total Articles: 77
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Do you remember your mom telling you (sometimes forcing you) to finish your dish? Now, you need to do the opposite if you want to lose weight. I am not saying not to eat, but only to not finish your food or even your drinks. Don't worry, you need to leave just a small amount of food behind. For example, as a rule of thumb I recommend consuming 80% of your food and leaving the rest. So you need to leave less than a quarter of your food. Be careful here, I am not saying to put a smaller amount of food on your plate, but rather to take the SAME food serving you are used to and not eat it all. So what is the difference? you might ask. With both ways you will surely eat less.
Actually there is big difference, as big as the difference between taking and giving. When you reduce the amount of food you put on your plate, you will feel that something is taken away from you. This will introduce an element of dissatisfaction and a feeling of deprivation. On the other hand, if you put on your plate the amount of food you normally consume and then decide to leave something behind, there will be no upfront disappointment. It is you ...
... who have decided to leave that amount. Still confused? Then read along, and I hope I can convince you.
The following are some points supporting the advantages of leaving some food after you eat rather than reducing the amount of food before you eat:

1 Eyes eat: Having a full plate to start with will certainly make your eyes happier than having a reduced serving. Eyes have a direct connection to your brain, and, seeing a full plate, they will send a signal to your mind: This is a good diet, please continue. I like to compare this strategy to the accepted wisdom that the first impression you leave on others will last a long time. Likewise, a full plate should leave a good impression on your senses. Don't underestimate the power of that perception of the amount of food in your mind. After all, it's your mind that makes you overeat, and by starting with a full plate you will calm it down, thus giving you the chance to win at the end (i.e. by leaving some food, or better said, calories, behind). Whereas if you fight with your mind from the start, by having less food, the chances are your mind will be searching for ways to compensate for that lost amount.
Important: By a full plate, I mean the amount that you are used to eating. In your current state of being overweight, it might be one, two or five sandwiches that are on your plate. It doesn't matter, but you really need to start with your existing food requirements (while you are overweight), no matter how high they are. For example, if you are used to drinking a medium vanilla milk shake, this will be your full plate. Don't upgrade to a large milk shake and then leave 20% off it, as this will negate the idea of the diet. Remember, this eating program calls for honesty as well as individuality.

2. We are programmed to think that more is better. I don't think I need to reference any psychological studies here. Just check your fridge and count how many items you have bought that have words like 10% more, double the amount, extra, etc. I mention this, as many people fail in their diet because they (i.e. the diets) are not in line with our psychology. Personally, I don't expect a diet that tells you to eat less to work for you, at least not easily. So we like more, and by following this approach of leaving 20% Off our food, we will be getting more (i.e. a full plate). It is true that you will get more at the beginning and leave something at the end, but it's a trick that can work on our mind, so why don't use it?
To get more information about this eating method check the book titled The 20 % Off Diet at www.20offdiet.com .