One (Not Weird or Secret) Tip for Fat Loss

Heck Yeah, Eating I have a confession, and I’m ready to share it with you.

Hello. My name is Nia Shanks and I, am a very fast eater.

Sometimes I eat so fast it’s comparable to a rottweiler scarfing down its dinner. Let that mental image sink in for a moment. (Aren’t you glad you’re reading this article?)

For as long as I can recall I’ve always eaten quickly, so I made it a goal a couple of years ago to . . .

Eat. Slower.

It’s something I’ve been working on for a while and still have to make a mental effort to do, but I’m getting better at it.

Why am I making it a goal to eat slower and why do I think you should do the same thing?

I discovered a couple of years ago that because I ate so quickly I usually ended up overeating at dinner. I’d practically inhale a plate of food and then immediately get up for a second helping. I’d devour that portion quickly too and then minutes later, I was stuffed. Uncomfortably so.

Because I ate my food so quickly, oftentimes I wasn’t really enjoying it because I was just chewing, swallowing, and then putting more food in my mouth immediately after in machine-like fashion. I’d also end up feeling sluggish, bloated, and overly full for several hours.

So I made it a priority to slow down when eating. I’d chat more between bites and put my fork down on occasion to decrease my rottweiler-like eating speed. I also attempt to keep pace with my wonderful spouse who eats significantly slower than I do.

After the first meal where I ate noticeably slower I observed a few things:

I was satisfied with less food than usual, and didn’t go back for seconds
I didn’t get bloated or feel sluggish after eating
I enjoyed my food much more because I took my time

Sometimes I revert back to my fast eating habits, but when I make an effort to slow down, I can always feel the difference it makes.

Eating slowly, being mindful, and enjoying every meal/snack is one of the main nutrition guidelines I follow and provide for clients. Not because there’s something magical about this tip or anything like that, but because it’s so simple and can even help with fat loss.

Let me state that again so there’s no confusion. “Eat slowly and enjoy your food” is by no means meant as a “diet trick” or anything like that. Yes, eating slower can have some positive benefits such as enhanced dining experience (because you actually savor and enjoy your food) and even fat loss (if you discover that by eating slower, you eat less, like I did).

It’s also been my experience working with clients that when fat loss is the goal, they too experience a difference when they make it a point to slow down when eating. Many have reported the same things I did – satiety with less food, no bloating, and fat loss over time because they’re eating less. And this tip is so easy to practice long-term, and when it comes to losing fat and keeping it off, long-term compliance is important.

So if you’re trying to lose fat or wanting to get more in-tune with your innate cues such as hunger and satiety, then give this tip a shot and slow down when eating. This can also be useful for people who tend to get overly full or bloated after eating and simply want to feel better after meals.

Don’t over think this tip either. Don’t do anything silly like count the number of chews per bite or set a timer with the goal of finishing your meal in a specified period of time. Relax, slow down, and enjoy your meal. It really is that simple.

Fat loss, and health and fitness in general, doesn’t require “weird tricks” or crazy diet tips. Always try the simplest things first, such as eating slower and enjoying your food, and do them consistently. The positive results will come.

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