Before we read this, don't forget that these endeavours are solidly built from bottom up. Therefore, we would've had to conquer Kilos One to Three before we start this one. If you haven't, please refer to these aforementioned chapters.
Now, that that's done, before we sit down for a meal (now that we've already cut portions), we have to find a way to fill up that space that still exists inside before we start to eat. Later, it will get better, but for now, little tricks on our bodies are okay.
It is possible to fool our stomachs into thinking that they're full. What works well is to drink a glass of fruit juice or ideally a fruit smoothie, and eat say a banana right before meal time. The stomach is now partially full, this means it won't require that much food. When we sit down to eat, not being hungry means that we won't actually crave that much of the calorie rich dinners and lunches we love. Many times, we keep on eating long after we're full. Not because we're still hungry, but because there's still food on the plate.
If we go out to restaurants which serve large portions, it is okay to ask for two thirds or half of it instead. They won't mind as long as you are willing to pay the price for the food anyway. We've all heard of the saying, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” This is true. Many times we keep on eating long after our hunger is satisfied only because our eyes can see how much food is physically there.
It would be a good idea to have a glass of water/juice and some fruit just before we leave home to go out to eat. Not being famished means that we won't be tempted to order the largest meal on the menu, (if you don't like water and think juice is too expensive, squeeze lemon in water and top up with a piece of fruit and something naturally sweet like raisins or honey drizzled on pieces of apples - not biscuits!)
It is good to fill up on the things which are healthy yet, calorie poor, and eat less of the things which help the weight to pile up. If the h.i.t is to be achieved, and it is, fooling our stomachs into thinking that we've already eaten is a fine way to do it.
Remember this does involve actually eating, as we're not going to be tricked into going on a diet. As we begin the third week of portion control, (when yet another spoonful of food is taken off the plate) let's try taking a picture of the original plate of food we mastered, alongside this new portion we now require. Place beside the new plate, a banana, a glass of orange juice (not fizzy drinks. All fruit juice has to be just that) and a handful of raisins. Once you've taken the pictures, look at them both. I think you'll see that the portions are significantly different, but if you take into consideration, the three extra items of food which we'll be eating before the meal, we'll find that it's not that different after all. The difference is in the calories.
Once we get into weeks three and four where the actual food portion is significantly smaller, we'll begin to realize that we could barely finish the smaller amount. At this point of feeling full (and here is a new sensation which we have to learn to identify),
Stop!
Yes, stop eating when you feel full. There is no need to carry on, after the glass of fruit juice/water, banana and raisins, and a small plate of food. Our stomachs are satisfied, this is good for the h.i.t. Stop eating, you don't have to empty your plate! This is the start of the new path and the certain sign that the h.i.t is coming. It's time to prepare for kilo 5.
