How to Change Your Body by (Temporarily) Changing Your Relationship with Food
Let me be honest with you. I love food. I love a good, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out. I have a sweet tooth that can derail the best of intentions, and I understand that for many of us, food isn't just fuel—it's comfort, it's social, it's celebration. It's enjoying a pint at a pub in Guildford with friends.
I’ve also been on my own fitness journey, and I’ve tried it all. The strict abstinence with the occasional "cheat day," the all-or-nothing "cold turkey" approach, the endless calorie counting, the low-carb Atkins-style diets, the intermittent fasting windows... you name it, I've probably given it a go.
And through all that experience, both personal and as a coach, I’ve learned the most important, liberating truth about weight loss: The way you eat to lose weight is not the way you will eat forever.
It’s a temporary contract you make with yourself to achieve a specific goal. And understanding that changes everything.
The Uncomfortable Truth: A Calorie Deficit is Non-Negotiable
Let's get the science out of the way. The most proven, reliable method for weight loss is creating a calorie deficit. This simply means consuming fewer calories than your body uses. It’s the one principle that underpins every single successful diet, whether it knows it or not.
Calorie Counting does it by making you track every number.
Intermittent Fasting does it by limiting your eating window, making it harder to overeat.
Low-Carb/Atkins does it by cutting out a high-calorie food group, often reducing your overall intake.
"Clean Eating" does it by focusing on lower-calorie, nutrient-dense foods that are more filling.
They are all just different vehicles heading to the same destination: a calorie deficit. The "best" diet is the one that gets you there without making you miserable, because it fits your body, your lifestyle, and your priorities here in Surrey.
Signing the Temporary Contract: Your "For Now" Mindset
The biggest mental block I see in my clients is the fear of permanence. The thought of "I can never have pizza again" is terrifying and often leads to quitting before you even start.
So, let's reframe it. You are not starting a "forever diet." You are entering a temporary, focused phase of work.
For a set period, your relationship with food needs to shift. It needs to become more deliberate. This might mean tracking your intake, being more mindful of alcohol (which often adds hundreds of calories to our week), or planning your meals more carefully. It requires a conscious effort and, yes, some sacrifice. You are suspending your "normal" way of eating to achieve an extraordinary result.
The magic is knowing that this phase has an end date. Once you reach your goal, the contract is fulfilled. You then transition to a "maintenance" phase, where you can reintroduce more flexibility, calories, and freedom. You’ll have the knowledge and body awareness to enjoy life's treats without undoing your hard work.
Finding a Method That Works For Your Real Life
Because I love hearty food and have that sweet tooth, a diet of tiny, unsatisfying meals was never going to work for me. I needed an approach that allowed for filling meals and didn't make me feel deprived. For you, it might be different. If you have a busy family life in Guildford, a complex meal plan might be impossible. If you hate feeling hungry in the mornings, intermittent fasting might be your personal nightmare.
That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. The key is to find a method of creating that temporary deficit that aligns with your personality and lifestyle. A good coach doesn't just give you a meal plan; they help you find the strategy that you can actually stick with.